For all the bad press professionals of all types receive about having large ego’s and god complexes the majority of the professionals I know are surprisingly modest.
In fact, one of the largest hurdles I’ve faced helping them market themselves is that they are often more concerned with avoiding looking boastful than they are about whether they have enough work coming in the door.
Take a moment to think about this yourself. Are you afraid to tell others how great you are?
Well, the reality is that most of us are, but that isn’t a problem. There are always options available for developing a personal marketing plan that suits the uniqueness of your personality, practice style and client base.
So, how can you sell your expertise to the world without “big noting” yourself?
Consider whether one of the options below might suit your particular style:
- Presentations – Its bread and butter marketing for professionals. And the best part is you don’t have to talk about yourself. Find a topic you can speak confidently on and, as if by magic, by the end of the presentation the people in the audience will know you’re an expert.
- Podcasts – If a room full of people is too much can you speak confidently in the quiet of your office and share it online? This is a growing area and the technology is making it easier and easier.
- Video interviews – can you talk to a colleague and have it recorded? If talking direct to the camera is too unnatural for you try just answering a set of pre-prepared questions provided to you in an interview style.
- Online articles and blogs – If you’re qualified to practice then you’re qualified to write about it. If you can slap 400 words together on a topic then you’ve produced a piece of the marketing puzzle that can be used in all sorts of ways to promote you and your business.
- Social media – do you love to interact with people? Join the online community in your area of interest and demonstrate your expertise.
- Gather reviews, referrals and testimonials – when someone says thanks for a job well done, ask them to complete a referral. If they were really happy with your service then they will take the five minutes to fill this in.
- Emails – maybe a 400 article is too much for you. But maybe a recent case raised some useful tips for your other clients. Put just a few paragraphs together and send it to existing clients.
Some of this stuff might sound obvious and it certainly isn’t anything magic, but think about whether you’ve actually done any of it in the last month?
Because even if you’re pathologically shy, don’t like crowds and hate how you look on camera – if you’re fit to practice there are still options for you to get yourself out there.
When it comes to marketing Action beats Inaction every time!
Still not sure where to go from here? Give John Gray Marketing a call and we will help you find a solution that suits the individual that you are.
