Me for Sale
Our world runs on advertising. Homes for sale or rent, products to sell, places to visit, services . . . we all find them through advertisements.
But advertising, as I was reminded quite painfully yesterday, can be false. (Where do people think of these scams?)
I’ve been thinking a lot about advertising lately, as I try to figure out how best to move forward into the next adventure of my life. I have to advertise myself. I have to advocate for myself as well. I have to promote and sell myself, and I simply don’t know how. I can do it for other people really well, but when it comes to self-promotion or self-advertising I feel out of my depth.
The above image is just a bit of silliness that I put together when I thought about this weeks “Weekend Theme” from Viewfromtheside’s Blog. Advertising plays such a crucial and somewhat manipulative role in our society that it is something worth thinking about.
The problem, for me at least, is that I cannot advertise falsely–especially when it comes to promoting myself. But there are so many people out there who have mastered the art of marketing themselves gloriously. I’m not saying they are all guilty of false advertising, but somehow I haven’t found the way that markets ME to the best of my ability.
Maybe I need to hire myself an advertising agency. But that requires something that I don’t have–$$$. Ah, the vicious circles of life.
How do you promote yourself?
Aug 12, 2011 @ 12:46:58
nice one. i think many people are poor at advertising themselves with anything other than honesty. i have the same problem
Aug 12, 2011 @ 13:26:14
Maybe we all need to help each other.
Aug 12, 2011 @ 14:08:26
I love how this whole idea of “selling” one’s “image” is so Don Draper-esque, yet ironically, it’s the fact that reality is stranger than the Mad Men fiction that makes advertising all the more permeating in our individual social psyches.
Well, in light of all the embellished claims of advertising, try to stand out and be unique (i.e. build on who you ARE and not who you want to be SEEN as.)
Aug 12, 2011 @ 14:50:33
But the challenge, at least for me, is clearly portraying who I am.
Aug 12, 2011 @ 14:33:15
I just found you (really you found me, then I looked at you
)
So – sometimes we reveal ourselves in simple ways that let our art and dreams tell the story.
I look forward to visiting again – all the best.
Aug 12, 2011 @ 14:49:46
Welcome. This little community is so very strange.
Aug 12, 2011 @ 15:30:10
Well speak for yourself! I demur. I think you are not strange nor is this little community. I think we’re unique! Darn! I have no happy faces on this iPad!
Advertising myself is an alien concept.
) soft breezes, moderate temperature, upcoming weekend, not a serious bone in my body. Just a little afternoon coconut rum in there!
Aug 12, 2011 @ 15:38:16
I didn’t mean we were strange, just the ins and outs of interacting is strange. But we are definitely unique.
Aug 12, 2011 @ 15:30:55
Where’d that happy face come from??
Aug 12, 2011 @ 15:36:55
You gave the correct signal and it magically appeared.
Aug 12, 2011 @ 15:41:55
This might be why I get all nervous and jittery when someone asks if I’ve thought of opening my blog up to sponsors. That would make ME a business, with business transactions and business deadlines. I’d have to market and promote ME, and I’m not sure how not to be totally honest. Something tells me companies might not bite on the Crazy Baby Mama bit!
Aug 12, 2011 @ 15:43:49
I’m sure you would do well, and advertisers would flock to you. You have already achieved something they love–followers.
Aug 12, 2011 @ 15:57:42
To me, the ones who want an image instead of the reality are not the folk I actually want to associate with. Just be the you that you are so good at being. The you that writes amazing posts and creates art and sometimes has difficulties. The you that is a mom and a theater professional and a writer and a woman. If someone else can not see the value in that you, it is their loss, not yours!
Aug 12, 2011 @ 17:38:10
I detest marketing myself. It’s like going on a job interview. I HATE it…I’m great because I can do this for you and this and this and this…There is nothing I dread more than a job interview because they always ask tricky questions and you feel like you have to not lie/but masquerade the absolute truth to get your foot in the door and then learn whatever it is…
Now that I’ve been laid off, and times have changed…I need to self-promote for “at-home” work. I’m in the same boat and feel your frustration.
Sandi
http://www.ahhsome.wordpress.com
lake Forest, CA
Aug 12, 2011 @ 17:41:48
I fail job interviews on a regular basis.
Aug 12, 2011 @ 21:04:10
These tips might help:
http://nrhatch.wordpress.com/2010/09/15/7-tips-selling-your-story/
http://nrhatch.wordpress.com/2011/02/09/7-keys-to-effective-public-speaking/
http://nrhatch.wordpress.com/2011/01/11/resumes-your-table-of-contents/
The last post has links to resume tips on other sites. Good luck!
Aug 13, 2011 @ 06:14:13
I think my problem and perhaps yours too is that we are modest and honest. Two qualities which get you nowhere when you are trying to sell yourself. I have noticed that in our company the people who come in and sell the boss the biggest BS story are the ones who get the promotions and not the hard working loyal employees who have been there for over a decade.
Aug 13, 2011 @ 08:31:05
Maybe it is time for us to practice the BS. But I don’t really want to do that. Thanks for visiting.
Aug 13, 2011 @ 19:42:15
I am absolutely *terrible* at marketing myself, so I’ve always relied on word of mouth. Consequently I’ve run a little dry on freelancing jobs right now! So, I’m with you — I need to really work on marketing myself realistically and also become a better advocate for myself! Such an important post!
Aug 13, 2011 @ 20:25:08
I am trying so hard to get myself out there in a visible way and network. I just find it all scary because I don’t really know what I’m doing. So, all I can do is one step at a time and hope that it works.
Aug 14, 2011 @ 13:04:49
I know exactly what you mean! I’m trying to figure out the best ways to advertise myself, too – gotta do that if you want to be successful. Problem is, it feels a little narcissistic at times.
Interestingly, I have a BA in Advertising but have never used it in the working world. I just couldn’t stomach the idea of selling things for a living.
Aug 14, 2011 @ 13:18:15
Solution: you advertise me and I advertise you. Then neither of I become narcissists and we both achieve our goals.
Aug 14, 2011 @ 13:44:13
That sounds like a plan!
Aug 14, 2011 @ 14:50:38
Promoting oneself is so difficult which is why I hate, hate, hate interviews. It’s just not in me to talk myself up! I used to sell antiques on eBay and the more obnoxious the description, the better the item sold. Go figure!
Aug 14, 2011 @ 15:00:31
We are definitely living in a society led by the obnoxious.
Aug 14, 2011 @ 15:31:21
I don’t blame you for feeling uncertain about advertising yourself. I feel the same thing about advertising my memoir (if it ever gets printed). But the thing to remember is that you might be just the answer to someone else’s prayers. You have a lot to offer. But the person who needs you won’t know it unless you put yourself out there.
Aug 14, 2011 @ 16:09:40
Thanks Christine. I’m trying.
Aug 15, 2011 @ 14:25:00
Sorry I missed this post, Lisa. But I understand how you feel. I can’t do it very well at all. I think it’s hard to promote yourself if you lack self-confidence. Couple that, for me, with a crippling need for honesty and I’m stuck.
Kathy
Aug 15, 2011 @ 23:26:10
You and I are alike in so many ways. Working out the details, but still hoping to see you in Lexington next week.