A lot of people, business owners included, are uncomfortable with self-promotion or promoting their business. They love what they do and believe in what they do, but they are terrified of the limelight.
I see it all the time in networking groups. People who must force themselves to get up in front of others, spout something they memorized for their 60 second commercial, and can’t wait to sit back down. Well folks, it’s time to grow up and not be the kid sitting at the back of the classroom hoping the teacher won’t call on you.
To grow a business, your business must get noticed. However, people don’t get excited about businesses. They get excited about the person running the business. They also develop trust in the leadership and the expertise of the business owner. And reporters rarely get excited about a story on a new business. They get excited about doing a story on the business owner. So you need to get comfortable as the center of attention.

How do you get comfortable as the center of attention?

I thought you’d never ask. Hire a coach who specializes in turning you into a media resource. Take acting classes. Take voice lessons. Get your skin analyzed by a color expert; someone who will create a set of color patches for you so whenever you go to buy clothes, they will complement your skin, hair and eyes. Get your clothes from a haberdasher or clothing professional. Get your hair cut professionally.

There’s a reason there are so many coaches out there. They’re needed.

You don’t have to do this all at once. Start small. Start with a coach who can guide you through the process. I have four different coaches I work with. Each of them has expertise in some area of business or success.
I work with Judy Merrick-Lockett for attitude and focus and positive thinking. I work with Mark Komen to develop my business structure and business skills. I work with a free coach at St. Thomas University Entrepreneur Center to help with my business plan. And I work with Roshini Rajkumar, a glamorous TV reporter who helps business people train to become media resources.

Originally posted 2007-10-25 05:47:59. Republished by Blog Post Promoter

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