WHY DO WE PROMOTE? WHAT IS ACCEPTABLE TO PROMOTE? WHAT SHOULDN’T WE PROMOTE? Some of you may be feeling a little confused since you read the blog regularly and most of my blogs are related to inspiration and sometimes health and decor tips. Recently, I have had the completion of a lifelong dream to occur and it requires promotion. As I was doing my promotional tweets, facebook personal and author page posts, I realized there are some things and events we should promote. This gave me the inspiration for this topic. Do we promote only materialistic items or is it possible to promote more than those items, and my mind thought about what we possess which can be worthy of promoting and the blog began. First let us consider how we might effectively market ourselves with the excerpt from a good article (link is below with excerpt attached.)
7 of the Most Effective Ways to Market Yourself Effectively
Unless you’re in business for yourself or looking for a job, the idea of marketing yourself may not sound like anything that concerns you. But it’s a skill everyone needs to master. Understand the basics and you’ll be prepared to position yourself as an expert. Here are seven proven strategies for marketing yourself successfully and effectively:
1. Identify your niche. What are your interests? Your talents? Your passions? Think about the ways you already bring these elements together and explore the possibilities for how you can engage them in in innovation and problem solving. Focus on the uncommon things you have to offer.
2. Seek recognition for your expertise. Showcase what you know by building a knowledge base. Grow your reputation and promote your informed opinions. The hallmark of expertise is figuring out what’s information and relevant. Develop relationships with thought leaders and media representatives in your field and your community.
3. Share your wisdom. Write prolifically about what you know to get your name in front of people as an expert. Contribute articles and blog posts any time you have an opportunity. Make sure it’s informative, well written, timely, and valuable to readers.
4. Build a community. Create a network of like-minded people in your field and work on connecting deeply and really getting to know one another. Genuine expertise is always drawn to other experts, and in their company you can open up a whole world of new possibilities.
5. Be of service to others. Become a trusted advisor and do what you can to help as many people as you can. How can you use what you do to be of service? Maybe you can offer your talents to a local nonprofit or set up an internship or mentoring opportunity to help someone starting out.
6. Be social savvy. Spend focused time on social media tools such as Twitter, LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram and electronic groups in your industry.
Share some of your expertise for free, and you can begin building a base of fans who trust you and look to you for expert advice.
7. Remember who you are- is the message to the world. Every word you say, everything that you communicate and do, is a message to the world. Just as a good organization protects its brand, protect your reputation by being intentional about the words you speak and the actions you perform.
The person who knows how best to market yourself is you. Start now to set yourself apart as a leader and generous citizen of your professional communities, and you can take yourself much further than you may have dreamed.
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Note: As my own person, with my own quirks, likes and dislikes, I agree the person who knows you best to market or promote you is you. I am not saying to not seek professional promotion in the beginning if you feel uncomfortable with self promotion. I am comfortable in my skin and love promotion, events, networking, but the most rewarding is when I see others respond to my work, not me. It is all about the story, the books, the reader’s responses, and yes, the sales.
Here are my books and a sample of reviews (all are on Amazon for you to read:
Miriam Holland
5.0 out of 5 starsAwesome Read! Intrigue with romance and love!
October 20, 2019Format: Paperback
The entire trilogy is great reading. I especially enjoyed this book as it has lots of suspense. It also brought the characters full-circle in their lives. Freckles is such a integral part of the book. The book is very well written with excellent details.
July 13, 2015Format: Kindle EditionVerified Purchase
This book totally captivated the interest of a reader with ADD. In order to do that the writer must move quickly with many surprises. The descriptive detail of characters, geographic area, compromising situations and emotions put me directly in the story as if I were there in person. I was so captivated I did not want to put it down, but my emotions were elevated to such a high level I had to take a break several times. The intimate areas were descriptive enough to understand the love, passion and emotions without being distasteful.
There were many informative lessons throughout the book. Everyone has a story and to really know and understand someone completely you must be close enough they share their story. The writer shares that one can love in many ways and choices made can lead you into consuming circumstances or relationships you otherwise would have no part. This was a great book that deserves the highest rating. Ready for the next chapter.
HappyReader
5.0 out of 5 starsA Tapestry of Love and Tragedy
May 23, 2017Format: Kindle EditionVerified Purchase
“She deserved happiness or did she?”
This book is a tapestry of love and tragedy. It is the sequel to A Mistress a Wife. I encourage readers to start with the first book- it’s a wonderful read- and then read book 2. In this second book of a planned series, we learn more about the intertwined lives of the characters we met in the earlier book. This is a character driven book and all of the characters are searching for love amidst lies. “She felt like the princess who had been locked in the tower without understanding why.”
In book 1 we cried through the story of the love for all eternity of Dave and Rachelle. Book 2 focuses more on the younger friend of Rachelle, Destaina. Destaina is seeking to learn who had stolen her life from her. Both Rachelle and Destaina must fight to shine the light on the darkness of years of lies that threaten their journeys to love and life.
Rachelle thought sometimes lies and secrets were best left in wooden boxes. I have to agree with Rachelle. Author Miller writes with a lyrical and literary voice but the lies and secrets in this book are disturbing and dark. This is not a frilly rom com; it is a story colored by grief and sorrow, brightened by glimpses of love and hope. “I have to walk this road alone until I recognize the direction of my heart.”
While there are some lovely descriptions of gourmet meals and romance, much of the story takes place through dialogue and inner thoughts. The Author is a master at creating characters that you will remember and care about. Enjoy this intriguing story!
Final thought for all of us: I don’t have a lot of money, fame, or I don’t come from a wealthy fame, but when all is said and done the best item I have to promote is I love to write, I love people who love others, I love life, and all of the adventures it can give. Promote what you love and it will come naturally but never try to be something you are not. God gave us what we ever need in this life if we will seek those talents, work hard to make them as good as they can be, and don’t forget even a breath is a gift so never be ungrateful for each one…..Until We Read Again……Arline Miller, author and blogger
