Why You Should be Tooting Your Own Horn

LIFE LESSON

So many of us have been taught that it’s immodest to “toot our own horn” or that talking about our own accomplishments is bad. When promoting yourself on social media, it’s common to see the phrase “humble brag” associated with anything remotely connected to publicizing achievement or rolling out an offering (e.g. a new book, webinar, speaking engagement or job promotion).

October is National Self-Promotion Month, so today we’re going to focus on a few ways that you can begin letting people know what you’re up to.

The most elemental aspect is that you must believe that what you have to say is important and valuable. If you don’t believe in yourself, no one else will.

I’ve made mention in earlier newsletters about the need for writers especially to become familiar and comfortable with the marketing aspects of book publishing. These activities go beyond traditional things like attending book signings. You’ll be more successful if you are able to add networking to your skill set. Here are a few basic things that can help you get started:

1. Have a presence on social media. You don’t necessarily have to be on all of the platforms. However, your presence must be consistent and it must place you in the digital path of your preferred or intended audience. In addition to established channels like Facebook, LinkedIn, Mastodon and Instagram, you can also consider options like TikTok, SnapChat or YouTube (which isn’t a social media channel, per se, but is an amazing space for community building and cultivating fans/followers).

2. Be sure to have a basic media kit that contains your bio, two or three headshots, a few samples of your work (“sizzle” reels, book chapters, articles or posts, audio or video clips), contact information (including your website and social media profiles) and hourly rates. This information should be current (within 18 months, max).

3. Be familiar with the public relations outlets in your field or industry. You may also have a public relations agent or agency. If you don’t have an agent, but think you’d benefit from their expertise, conduct a Google search on how to get one. Understand and honor any outlet’s submission guidelines and deadlines.

4. Curate your communities. I use private Mastodon lists as a means to curate contacts, including people, news organizations, trade journals and publications and other media intersection points. Identify people who know people—it is an extremely efficient way of letting other people help you amplify your message. NOTE: do not spam these people. Learn how and when to contact them about your work. Also, take the time to reciprocate and amplify their projects when and where appropriate.

This is just the beginning of what it takes to promote your own work. If you’re already comfortable with these ideas, today’s content is more of a refresher than anything. I’d love to hear your ideas or insights in the comments.

LIFE HACK

Wednesday, October 2nd is Random Acts of Poetry Day. While you may not think of yourself as a poet, there are numerous benefits to reading and writing poetry:

? Poetry has a beneficial impact on patients in terms of managing pain, coping with stressors, and improving personal well-being

? Listening, writing, and reading poetry is associated with a reported improvement in pain following a surgical procedure and improves a patient’s ability to deal with chronic illness

? Reading and writing poetry temporarily increases working memory capacity, which can increase an individual’s ability to proactively cope with stressful events

? Associated with greater recall of medication instructions and scheduled health appointments, which improves health outcomes

? Poetry has been shown to have positive short and long-term mood changes as well as behavioral effects in school and work performance

? Expressive writing can decrease physiological stress indicators such as lower muscle tension, reduce perspiration level, and lower blood pressure and heart rate levels

? In palliative care, there has been a growing recognition within the field to recognize how poetry can develop person-centered organizations, better train health professionals, and support a patient’s overall well-being

? Poetry facilitates meaningful shared experiences and significantly improves relationships between healthcare providers and patients

? Poetry has been frequently employed as a teaching platform to teach values such as empathy, to develop greater emotional awareness, to reduce anxiety and stress, and to assess communication skills

(SOURCE: National Library of Medicine)

Today's assignment: take out a pen and paper and write a few lines of rhyme (or free verse, it’s up to you!). Your brain and body will thank you for it.

TREAT

HUZZAH!! Today is National Coffee Day. Technically? …in my house, it’s national coffee day EVERY day, but I digress. To celebrate, I’ll share a quick haiku about my favorite bRew:

Coffee: sweet nectar

that imbues my cells with life.

Thank God it’s legal.

Here is a list of places you can get a cuppa free java today.

P.S. The fantabulous Christine Mortensen and I are hosting a self care summit at the University Club of Chicago on Tuesday, January 7, 2025. With exclusive workshops, immersive experiences, and high-level networking, this event is tailored for individuals who are committed to personal and professional growth. We’ve got amazing speakers on tap and an incredible Wellness Lounge for attendees to chill and recharge. Early bird registration begins on October 1, 2024.

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If you’ve enjoyed the #3MR, check out my linktree, where you can buy me a coffee, book a free ClarityCall?, check out merch, my books and more.

An author, media consultant, life coach and speaker, Molly Cantrell-Kraig has been recognized as one of CNN’s Visionary Women, been profiled by both the Christian Science Monitor and the Shriver Report. Cantrell-Kraig has also been interviewed on the Women’s Media Center and the BBC, speaking on such topics as women, independence, gender roles and life transitions. As a catalytic change-agent, Cantrell-Kraig is a self-described work in progress whose focus is on helping others achieve their goals by sharing her own experiences.