My Approach to Marketing Myself…Authentically

523 018Being the people person that I am I have always understood the language of relationships much better than I ever understood the language of business.  In fact when I was dating in my twenties I met a few men who worked in the business field and no matter how hard I tried I could not understand what they actually ‘did’ for a living when they spoke about their job or profession.   I often sheepishly requested that they share with me what they did for a living in, what I called, a ‘people’ analogy.   Because it is in the language of relationships and relating to others that I make sense of my world.

So when it comes to me thinking about how to market my business, I often get all tumbled into knots.   I used to think this was because I did not know how to market myself or that I did not know or understand very much about business.   It was because of this thought that I hired a business coach to help me learn how to run my business.  I gained a lot from that experience and learned that running and marketing a business is actually very much all about building relationships.

That was reassuring to learn (although it was already something I had known in my gut.)  However, I still find myself fumbling when it comes to ‘marketing’ and ‘running’ a business.   But what I get all fumbled about is not that I do not know how to do these things.  Rather, what gets me stuck is trying to force myself to think like a ‘business’ person, when in actuality, I view myself as a ‘relationship’ person.  Forcing myself to think like a ‘business’ person always gets me stuck and thinking about all the things I should be doing as a business person.  I ask myself questions like:  What would a good business person do?  How should I be marketing myself?  Am I doing what I am supposed to be doing?  Is this right? Questions like these always leave me feeling stuck, overwhelmed, and inadequate.  Needless to say, I do not get very far in running my business when I think this way.

So instead of thinking like the ‘business’ person I think I should be, I think like the relationship person that I already am.  Instead of thinking about ‘how to market myself’  I think about all the ways I can ‘share my voice and my message.’   Thinking about my business in this way, which is more authentic to who I am allows me to listen to my own voice and think about all the things I already know how to do, and do well.    Approaching my business in this way opens me up and allows my creative juices to flow.  I feel excited and driven when I think about sharing what I am passionate about.  ‘Marketing’ stops feeling like a chore I feel that I have to do, and instead comes naturally and easily.  I just share what I know: my voice and my message.   The only thing I have to make sure of is that I am committed and being consistent in all that I am doing and sharing.  And I remind myself that this same rule applies to relationships.  Because, for me, it’s more than a business; it’s personal.

 

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Career & Relationship Coach | Leadership Trainer | Founder of UnleashingU!

Hi, I'm Jenny Sassoon, founder of UnleashingU! I help you go from confusion, struggle and self doubt to clarity, confidence, fulfillment and success in your career, business and relationships by reconnecting you with your essence and guiding you to take ownership of your life. Click on the 'Contact' Tab to schedule your complimentary 45 minute consultation to meet or speak with me and learn more about how I can help you.

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