Yesterday I keynoted an Authors’ Conference to share some of the juicy details on how I became a best-selling author.  As I held up my book, I told the attendees that the day to start promoting their book is, well, today – in other words, as soon as they decide to write a book.  A woman in the audience asked, “…how do I tell everyone about my book without sounding like I’m bragging? I don’t want to be seen as pushy?”  That’s one I’ve heard and blogged about, before.  Men biz-brag all the time. Trust me, pushy people are not worrying, or even thinking about, being pushy.  If you’re worried about it, it’s not in your DNA.  I’ve heard it so many times; I call it The Pushy Myth.  You’re creating a story to justify a limiting belief. Here’s how to strut your stuff and get your message out to the world.  Not just for you, but for the people you serve.

Get Real: Tune in to what limiting belief is holding you back and face your fear head-on.  Or maybe it’s feather-on, like a peacock.  Those birds really know how to get someone’s attention!  Go figure, it’s the males who know how to work it.  Peacock feathers are so beautiful they’re used for everything from art to fashion to home décor.  It’s a great example of the impact you can have on the world when you put yourself out there.

Start Today: Whether you’re marketing a book, or marketing a biz, you need clients (or readers) to be successful.  Don’t get all dressed up with no place to go.  Your #1 activity, while you’re getting ready to launch a book (or business), is building your client base.  One of my friend’s husbands said it best on a recent couples dinner date, “…network or perish.”  I laughed when he said it.  Partly because the statement sounded so alarmist it caught me off guard.  It has a lot of truth in it.

Avoid the Words, “I don’t do (fill in the blank with any social media platform)”.  Social media is not going away.  If you want to build your list start sharing, posting, pinning, and live-streaming.  Remember, it’s called social media for a reason.  Leave the salesy rhetoric for the advertisers.  If you don’t know how to use posts to generate revenue, click on over to my training page.  I’ll teach you how to be a savvy social media maven.

I finished my speech by sharing, tongue in cheek, that I’m successful because I’m a shameless self-promoter.  That got a chuckle because most of the time I don’t take myself too seriously.  But, I do take my message seriously.  Be passionate enough that you want to spread your feathers and attract attention.

Ready to really rock your direct sales biz?