BEST RESULTS FOR SELF-PROMOTION = P.S.

Regardless what anyone tells you ( or you tell yourself ) - SALES is still about relationships - people buy people. Has the economy and technology influenced / changed ways of initiating and building relationships ? For sure ! I don't deny that methods for all aspects of professional sales has changed and continues to change but you still can influence your success by increasing the number of relationships. Whether you talk about cold leads, networking groups, internal customers, external customers ( past,present, & future ), social groups, web contacts ( 2.0 / 3.0 ), and millions of people who don't know who you are or what you sell - the more people who know you and who have heard good things about you will be the biggest single factor in your success. So, self-promotion - done with style and class is what we are referencing here. I'll assume that you agree or at least your open to wondering where I'm going with all of this verbiage.

The P.S. I've alluded to is PUBLIC SPEAKING. There is no better way to promote yourself than to get up in front of a group of people and share your insights about a topic that you happen to know a great deal about. Some of my clients look at me and just can't believe that I'm advocating that they get up in front of a group of people and sell their product and themselves. Please understand that I'm not suggesting that at all. What I'm suggesting is the exact opposite. Short of the program or the MC suggesting your background -you should never mention your company or your product - the audience can figure all that out for themselves. What you want to is to take particulars and concepts that evolve around your industry and speak to your awareness / opinions / resources about those particular items.
Suppose I sold jet engines and was a salesperson for GE ( I think they have jet engines ), I would speak about the future in the airline industry or innovations being discussed about propulsion methods in general. I would do my homework and bring a well researched professional presentation to whatever group who might be interested in your topic. I'm not in that industry but as a local member of my Chamber of Commerce and a frequent flier ( plus a brother who is a pilot ) I would like to hear about the future or whatever you are sharing.

Not comfortable with public speaking ? You are not alone. Get some training and get better at it. Consider joining your local Toastmaster's Chapter (International Organization with Chapters everywhere). Maybe take a public speaking class at a local college ? Everyone can do it - it's just overcoming your fears.

Start by volunteering to present programs at your local Jaycees, Rotary, Kiwanis or other groups. Who knows you might grow to like it ! And become a successful public speaker for $$$$ ?