“Sell” Yourself to Get New Clients

 

If you’ve been unsuccessful in seeking out new clients, you may be overlooking some key tactics, according to a new article from author and sales professional C.J. Hayden. Tried and true methods (cold calls, etc.) can be effective at building new business, but sometimes salespeople may not be avoiding a key tactic. Hayden writes that while it may seem like unprofessional boasting, highlighting your successes can attract new clients.  Hayden points out that “…well-known people became well-known because they showcased themselves, usually in multiple ways. They shared stories, examples, and ideas about the work they do with a wider audience than just their friends and family.”

Take a look at her suggestions at how you can tactfully spread the word about your professional successes, without sounding like a braggart. I’ve included the first few below, and the rest can be found here.

1. Write articles. Putting your expertise in writing and sharing it with publications your target audience reads is a powerful—and very professional—way to let more people know about your unique talents. Submit your articles to magazines, newsletters, ezines, blogs, or websites that serve your niche and watch your visibility grow. If you aren’t a strong writer, hire professional help to edit or even ghost write your compositions.
2. Speak at conferences or events. Appearing as a speaker allows you to broadcast your expertise to three different audiences: the people who attend your talk, the people who are invited by the sponsoring organization but can’t attend, and the people you tell about it before and after. If standing in front of a room makes you too nervous, serve on a panel of experts instead. You’ll get to sit behind a table and speak from notes.
3. Do media interviews. Being interviewed for magazines, newspapers, blogs, radio stations, or television programs can spread the word quickly about your capabilities. Landing interviews is not that hard to do if you remember to start small. Begin by approaching easy targets like association newsletters, neighborhood newspapers, lesser-known bloggers, or local cable programs and talk radio.