You’ve likely seen it on your personal feed: Instagram ads promising $10,000 per month, or people who talk about themselves constantly on LinkedIn. The typical influencer. These are all examples of marketing that encourages self-promotion. While they can be annoying at times however, they can be effective when executed correctly.
Self-promotion is essential because it increases awareness of your talents and capabilities which can result in opportunities to help you grow in your career, or even change careers. You can also share your accomplishments with people who might be able to help in the future. You run the risk of being overlooked and squandering opportunities when you don’t have it.
It isn’t easy to master self-promotion, as it can be difficult to determine if it is too much, or if you are being perceived as a bragging braggart. Numerous studies have revealed that bragging can make others feel jealous and angry, and it can lead to negative performance reviews.
Constructive self promotion however, is about demonstrating to others your unique value offering. It focuses on demonstrating to others what you do best and why you’re the most effective at it and how you could solve their problems. Many people find this a difficult task, particularly those who have impostor’s syndrome or do not feel comfortable talking about their accomplishments. Learning to master the art and science of self-promotion will result in more opportunities in the workplace.