Self-promotion. It sounds like a dirty word, doesn’t it? Like you’re bragging, or worse, being “that guy.” The guy who walks into a room and somehow turns every conversation back to himself. But hold on—before you grab the pitchforks and torches, let’s rethink this whole idea. Self-promotion isn’t about showing off. It’s about making sure people know what you’re good at and what you’re capable of. It’s like putting a sign in front of your house that says, “I’ve got exactly what you need right here.” No one’s gonna come knocking if they don’t know you exist, right?
Now, the tricky part. Self-promotion isn’t some magic trick you can pull off with a snap of your fingers. It’s more like cooking a great meal. You’ve got to combine the right ingredients, serve it up at the right moment, and make sure your audience actually takes a bite. Too much ego, and you’ll look like a brash amateur; too little, and you’ll end up invisible, like a ghost in a room full of loud talkers. Finding the right balance is key.
Take a look at some of the most successful people around. They’re not just lucky—they know how to promote themselves. Sure, they work hard, they’re smart, but they also know how to grab attention, how to say, “Hey, look at me! I’m doing something incredible!” There’s a reason LinkedIn is filled with professionals who post their accomplishments like they’re handing out free candy at a parade. It’s all part of the game. The reality is, if you’re not getting noticed, how can anyone know you’re the one they should hire, promote, or partner with?
You don’t have to take my word for it. Richard Branson, one of the most well-known entrepreneurs of our time, once said:
“Business opportunities are like buses, there’s always another one coming.”
Branson built Virgin into a global empire not just through innovation, but by constantly putting himself and his business out there, becoming a visible figure that people wanted to pay attention to. It’s not about shouting louder than everyone else; it’s about making sure you’ve got a voice in the first place.
Think about it. How many times have you heard someone say, “I’m just not good at self-promotion”? A lot, right? Well, guess what? You don’t need to be a pro marketer to promote yourself successfully. It starts with telling people what you’re working on, sharing updates on your projects, and celebrating the wins—even the small ones. People need to hear it, or they’ll never know. There’s nothing wrong with putting your work in front of others. If your project made waves, you should be riding that wave, letting it carry you to new shores.
Here’s where it gets fun: you don’t have to wait for the perfect moment to promote yourself. You can build your personal brand on your own terms. Maybe it’s through social media posts that reflect your expertise, maybe it’s in meetings where you casually drop your accomplishments into the conversation, or maybe it’s through an email newsletter where you keep people updated on your growth. There are tons of ways to weave self-promotion into your career without feeling like you’re constantly showing off.
And, speaking of emails, here’s a classic. Imagine you’ve been working on a huge project for months, and finally, it’s done. You’re feeling good about it, but you’re also nervous. You don’t want to seem like you’re tooting your own horn. So, what do you do? You send an email to your boss or your colleagues, but it’s very vague: “Hey, just wanted to let you know that project I’ve been working on is finished. I’m happy with the results.” Now, compare that to this: “I just wrapped up the X project, and we exceeded our goals by 20%. Here’s what we did, and here’s why it matters.” Same outcome, different delivery. One highlights your contribution, the other hides it under a bushel.
It’s tempting to want to downplay your successes, especially if you don’t want to seem like a show-off. But consider this: the people around you won’t always notice your hard work unless you make it clear. If your work isn’t being seen, it might as well not exist. You’ve got to create the buzz around what you’re doing, even if it’s uncomfortable at first.
Here’s the thing—self-promotion isn’t just for the social media influencers or high-profile CEOs. Everyone can and should use it in their careers. It’s not about making noise just for the sake of it. It’s about making sure your value doesn’t get lost in the shuffle of everyone else’s. And it’s about seizing those opportunities when they arise. If you never talk about your work, no one will ever know just how good you are. But when you do it strategically, it’ll pay off. Your colleagues, your boss, and even future employers will take notice. People tend to remember the ones who are loud (in the right way), and those are often the ones who move ahead.
But hey, I get it. It’s not always easy to talk about your own achievements, especially if you’ve been raised to be humble. But there’s a difference between being humble and being invisible. No one will give you the recognition you deserve if you’re not stepping forward and saying, “Hey, this is what I’ve done.” It’s not bragging; it’s sharing. And that, my friend, is how career advancement happens.
Think of it like this: You wouldn’t walk into a job interview wearing a suit that doesn’t fit or showing up 20 minutes late. You’d present yourself at your best, right? Well, self-promotion is no different. You’re just showing up with your accomplishments on display. It’s like being your own hype man, but with substance to back it up.
At the end of the day, if you’re not willing to tell people what you’ve done, someone else will do it for you—and they’ll take all the credit. So, embrace it. Talk about your successes. Don’t wait for people to notice you; make sure they do. That’s how careers move forward.
And remember, the next time you feel a little uncomfortable talking about what you’ve achieved, just remind yourself of one simple truth: If you don’t believe in your own worth, why should anyone else?