Truman doesn't know it, but he's promoting himself.
Years ago, this guy told me he didn't like LinkedIn because of all the "self-promotion" on the platform. It was interesting because that was the comment he left on the article I had written. My response might have triggered him when I replied, "And yet here you are with a LinkedIn profile."
I don't believe he fully comprehended the hypocrisy in his comment.
Because: Yes, he had a completed LinkedIn profile, and by leaving a comment, whether he understood it or not, he was marketing that profile.
I believe that's called self-promotion. Am I wrong?
It is easy, however, to think of LinkedIn that way though. As self-promotion, that is, which is likely why our feed is plastered with content that appears to do only one thing: self-promote.
Content that answers the questions:
What do I do? How do I help? What problem do I solve?
Here are some examples of my work you can see. Here are my references that you can talk to. Here are some reviews. Here's my ideal client.
This is my marketing strategy. Here's some more information about my product or service. Here's how you can buy from me. Here's how to become a client. This is my niche.
If the idea or the goal is to get leads, I've got a different perspective, and it's not too distant from what "my buddy" did years ago when he told me he didn't like all of the self-promotion.
Fill out your profile. Take credit for everything you do, but instead of posting about it all day, every day, don't share it the way you might believe you need to; in fact, you should barely share it at all.
Marketing creates awareness and consideration, guiding potential customers toward a decision. Regardless of whether that exact process is true for you or not, it was true for all of us at one point in time.
But you're probably not in marketing, but you, in fact, do need to market yourself. So, what in the HELL are you supposed to do?
Consider this: if everything that you do is the "music," then what inspires the music, or better yet, "what's behind the music?"
Because what's behind the music is you. That's what people relate to; that's what inspires someone to view your profile and encourages them to reach out. Believe it or not, it's likely not going to be the other way around.
Create [original] and compelling content with substance.
Connect with the people it appeals to.
Don't pitch them.
Build a relationship.
Relationships are what social media was originally intended for.
Am I wrong? Could have sworn I was right.
Thank you for reading this; I truly appreciate it. Also, if you enjoy my writing, please do me a favor and not share it with anyone.
I don't want people to know.
Derek
