Start Conversations
If you want to get deep about it, I believe that isolation is the core obstacle to self promotion. We stop making contact, avoid people we don't feel like talking to, and then wonder why the phone isn't ringing.
To turn that trend on its ear, go out of your way to get into conversations with anyone and everyone you can -- in person, on the phone or via email. Cross the street, cross the room, cross the train, to talk to someone.
All it takes to start a conversation is a question, any question. Find out what they're working on and tell them what you're working on.
If you are more comfortable on email than in person, initiate dialogues by thanking people when you don't have to, or by acknowledging receipt of a message that doesn't necessarily ask for a response.
Most important, follow up absolutely every single lead that comes your way, every person whose card you get, everyone who expresses even the slightest interest in your work or says they know someone who…. Don't worry about response. Just keep planting seeds and initiating conversations.
Because anything, absolutely anything can come out of a simple conversation: ideas, alliances, connections, referrals, new clients, new opportunities.
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Ilise Benun, author of Self Promotion Online and Designing Websites for Every Audience, writes, consults and gives workshops about online and offline self promotion. Sign up for her Quick Online Marketing Tips here: http://www.artofselfpromotion.com/tips.html
