Taking the Pain out of Self-Promotion

[Rick Howell]

Self-promotion can be the most difficult of starting your own business. Your friends and family may know what you are working on, but if you don’t cast a very wide net, you will have trouble getting your business off the ground. While it can feel awkward or even a little embarrassing to put yourself out there, if you develop a strategy that works and you see the successes coming from it, you will find it becomes easier. Here are five ways to promote yourself and you business.

Self-Promotion through Social Media

By now, the only way you don’t know about the power of social media for self-promotion is if you have been hiding under a rock. And if that’s the case, you probably aren’t reading this blog. So assuming you realize the potential of social media, how do you harness it?

• Create accounts you intend to use. If you are not a Twitter fan, for example, don’t feel you need to use it. You may change your mind later, but you do not want to establish business accounts on platforms you don’t want to actually use on a regular basis. No one will come rushing to you if they stumble across a profile you haven’t updated for months.
• Be consistent. Post content on a fairly regular basis, so your audience gets used to hearing from you.
• Boost posts and create ads. One of the cheapest forms of paid advertising is in social media. There are many ways to create paid advertising, so spend some time researching your options. Targeted ads can read more of your prospective contacts without wasting money on people who are likely not interested.

Newspaper Ads

Social media is powerful for self-promotion, but that doesn’t mean there is no longer value in more traditional advertising platforms. Local newspapers reach a lot of people in your geographical area. Do some research on circulation numbers, costs, and decide what works best for you. Cost-wise, it will be more expensive than social media, but it generally is not cost-prohibitive.

Blogs and Real Estate Websites

Blogging has become a popular way to build an audience on a particular topic. It costs virtually nothing but time to get started, and it is a great way to build a reputation as a knowledge leader in your field.

If you do not want to start your own blog, look for real estate sites that welcome contributor articles. Posts do not need to be long, and since you already have much of the knowledge in your head, they should not be very time-consuming to write.

If you are not sure where to start, follow other bloggers in the industry to see some examples. Also, spend some time reading about search engine optimization (SEO) so more people will find your entries.

Networking

It’s all about who you know. Networking is certainly nothing new, and it’s an important part of promoting your business. Networking opportunities are everywhere—from industry-specific meetings and clubs to community events, and local chambers of commerce. Don’t feel intimidated by others at these events who have been in the business longer, or who seem to already know everyone in the room. Everyone had to start somewhere, and these types of self-promotion opportunities are great ways for getting your name to the public.

Business Cards

Also a mainstay in the business world, business cards are a way to give something tangible to a new contact, so they will remember you the next time they have a need you can fill. Many sites offer inexpensive business cards, and you can customize them with your logo and other features to stand out. Don’t be afraid to offer a business card to anyone you have met and discussed your business. You never know who else that person might know, and pass along your information.

When it comes to self-promotion, consistency is important. As a new entity, you will need to spend more time getting your name to the people who need your services. Once you start to build brand recognition and a positive reputation, your business will grow. The more you talk about what you have to offer, the less awkward it will become. Soon, it will be second nature to create social media campaigns, add blog articles, and network like a pro.