Promotion Tips For The Shy Business Owner
February 23rd, 2010

Promote. Promote. Promote. That's all you hear around the offices of Synergy Marketing Consultants. Well, you do hear a lot more actually...we like to have fun while we work. But it is a mantra that makes a lot of sense, wouldn't you agree?

Promoting your business is the name of the game. Without constant consideration of how to promote what you do and how well you do it, there is little to no chance that your business will succeed in today's world. As Anne Brennan of Allegro Editorial Services on GetCreativeShow.com writes, “If you want your business to thrive, you must promote it. And since you probably are your business, you must promote yourself.”

Let's face it. Who truly cares more about the success of your business more than yourself? If you are a business owner, you have no other choice but to ensure that you are at the top of your promotion game in order to secure your company's stability and long-term success.

In her article, “Promoting Your Small Business”, Brennan offers up a number of useful and unique tips to business owners who are looking to position themselves “ahead of the pack”. Her advice is mainly directed towards those who possess somewhat introverted personalities and may made need a helpful push in right direction.

One of her very important pieces of advice she gives is the insistence that entrepreneurs learn to network. Perhaps, you weren't necessarily a people person growing up. Now that you own a business and need to promote, it's important to learn really quickly how to communicate with others.

“When you attend a function,” writes Brennan, “Behave as though you're hosting the party; if someone looks alone and shy, introduce yourself and ask about his or her line of work. By putting another person at ease, you'll feel more comfortable yourself. You'll fit in, and you'll be remembered with appreciation.”

Brennan also suggests that you learn to accept compliments. Intertestingly, this seemingly easy task is not something that many people handle well. She notes that if you negate a compliment, it may be construed as rude or hurtful to the person who offered it. Be graceful, she recommends, as a simple smile and “thank you” can help to develop a lucrative relationship that you may have otherwise lost.

Never say “just”, insists Brennan. Citing a former associate who would call her up and say “It's just Pat”, she is reminded of someone who made himself appear unimportant with this self-effacing word. Respect yourself and others will follow suit in respecting you as well.

Perhaps Brennan's most valuable tip is to understand the differences between advertising and publicity. She writes: “Advertising is direct communication between you and your potential customers... Publicity is attention you attract by participating in your community.” Using both to effectively market your brand will have you out in front of your competition.

Of her many tips, our favourite is “Do what you love. The money will follow.” After all, if you don't enjoy what you do, then why do it? We are confident that utlizing all of these tips will help you to love what you do that much more.