Personal Brand Strategy – The Balance of Self-Promotion

Self promotion is a challenge.  A delicate balance is required between confidence and humility.  One must create a sense of value while also developing relationships and selling the most important product, which is yourself.  That’s all why we’re here isn’t it?  Otherwise personal branding sites like this one (Brand-Yourself) would be called Brand Everyone Else or maybe Brand My Boss.  And yes, both these domains are available for purchase.

Self promotion is more than just a snazzy business card or a great elevator pitch, it’s a well-thought out marketing and business plan that requires research and an understanding of how your unique qualities are unique and set you apart from the rest.  As part of my business strategy I have chosen to set myself apart from the rest by writing a book, Tweet This!  Twitter for Business. Now that I am a published author, I have found myself conflicted.  I’m not the self-promotion type of gal.  Most of my business comes from referrals who are professionals or past clients, but my book is different.  My business strategy aims to develop an audience or relationship with those outside of my regular network outside of conference attendees who hear me speak, my social media network, and internet surfers who happen upon my book on Amazon.

Sometimes to make a splash or impact in your market or to take your business to the next level you have to take on an aggressive strategy and self-promotion is part of that.  Because if you don’t promote yourself and your unique qualities, no one else will!

Two weeks into my book being released, the response from friends and professional contacts new and old has been extremely positive.  Tweet This! aims to provide small to medium sized businesses, consultants, and entrepreneurs an easy to read, easy to use guide on how to grow and manage your Twitter presence realistically and in under 30 minutes a day.  My book’s official website is Tweetingmybusiness.com and I would love for you to take a visit.  Not only can you purchase the book at the site but you can take a look at some of my upcoming events as part of my book tour, as well as stay up to date on the latest news and information about social media.

As part of a special promotion, I will be giving away a copy of my book to one lucky reader from Brand-Yourself.com.  Leave a comment on this post and tell me how you promote yourself.   I will be randomly selecting a winner one week from today (on February 10, 2010).

Jessica Miller-Merrell, SPHR is an author, new mother, and human resources professional with a passion for recruiting and all things social media.  She has over 10 years of experience in human resources & recruiting.

Her company, Xceptional HR provides businesses with social media, recruitment, and human resources strategy and consulting.   Jessica’s book, Tweet This! Twitter for Business was released January 2010.  Follow Jessica on Twitter, LinkedIn, & FaceBook.