I’ve noticed one huge difference in the folks who seem to make it (on whatever terms they choose.)They promote themselves! Consistently. It’s that simple. You may think they are sending too many emails, but others don’t and folks sign up for their programs.Once a month doesn’t cut it! I’ve got a bunch of different lists, some overlapping and have been successful over my resistance to sending invites out.Most people don’t read everything, so you need to send it out more so they catch it when they do. I’ve sent things out and on the third time, someone says, “I want to take that and signs up.”
Our resistance to sending things out comes from messages we got in school, work, etc, that it’s sleazy to promote yourself. Better to hide your personality, your wins, your dreams, your business.
Ugh. Can we please stop that? It’s passé, useless and financially dangerous. If you feel good about yourself and your services, let folks know about them. Promote the crap out of them with a sense of conviction. You will see results.
Years ago when I first opened my business and sat around waiting for something, anything to happen, my husband kept saying to me, “But no one knows you exist.” I couldn’t grasp that for the longest time because I was too terrified to even hear what he said.
Promote myself? How conceited!
Why someone might write something BAD about me in that colorfully decorated Slam Book circulating around school. “Julie wears ugly pants.” Anyone remember those things? Like a comment section on the Internet. I walked around in a terrified state worried about what the other kids were saying about me. Think many of us still think the Slam Book is out there …
Yes, you may get some strange emails. But that’s okay, if someone has taken the time to respond it means you’ve struck a chord. And that’s good.
A few good ways to promote:
- Flyers all over the place.
- Local newspapers.
- Facebook bulletin board places in various towns.
- Write a book!
- Write a column.
- Guest blog.
- Tie your business to a charity.
- Give a free talk and get signups for your list.
- Start your own group. (this is a good one.)
- Put a sign on your own lawn.
- Hire someone to send out a press release and then it can appear like magic in a major newspaper.
- Make cool t-shirts with your biz on them.
- Speak at events
- Get a cable show.
- Sponsor something you believe in.
- Go to charitable events.
Hope this helps! Giulietta.
Fear.lessly yours,
Giulietta