What is the most powerful and valuable marketing resource you can have that you cannot buy? Your visibility and credibility: Your sterling reputation.

One of the best ways to achieve that positive reputation is through word-of-mouth promotion. As Michael E. Cafferky, author of Let Your Customers Do the Talking, suggests, the reason word-of-mouth is so effective is that it is a natural, powerful, low-cost, and low-risk way to promote your business. Also it’s psychologically grounded: People like to talk, give advice, and make recommendations based upon their experiences.

Consequently, when customers or clients derive (more…)

Holidays and giving are synonymous. But, of course, giving isn’t necessarily only physical gifts. When you as a confident self-promoter also look beyond physical gifts, you can create a state of even greater giving … and receiving.

As you may know, I’m the proud mom of 13 felines. No, I’m not a hoarder but a member of an animal rescue group in Corrales, NM, called C.A.R.M.A. (Companion Animal Rescue and Medical Assistance). I’ve adopted hard-to-place, disabled cats, and sick cats (however, density-wise, 13 is the absolute limit).

Several of the ways I help CARMA, besides Pictures with Santa, the adoption clinics, and an occasional check, include writing timely articles and media releases about them and offering free coaching or free seminars for those who make a minimum contribution to CARMA.

When I do these activities, CARMA gets visibility and increased donations. I, on the other hand, get a feeling of having contributed significantly AND secure visibility for what I do as well as who I am as a charitable person. This is a big win-win!

If I had a business having to do with benefiting animals, it would be an even bigger win for me as a self -promoter. That, however, should not the overriding factor in your giving - promoting efforts. Positive visibility is (more…)