HowTo Make Yourself Buzz-Worthy

Sounds a bit self-centered, doesn't it?

Being a rather shy, behind-the-scenes type of person, I sort of cringe to think that part of building a successful business requires stepping into the spotlight sometimes.

But it's absolutely true--even if the work you do is behind the scenes, if you own your own business you can't be too shy about promoting yourself. At some time you have to de-wallflower yourself, stand tall and (subtly) shout "Look at me--I'm really great!".

This is why I don't do in-person networking--I just feel like a complete cheese ball schmoozing with folks, so I've sort of found a little marketing oasis (the internet) where I can meet folks around the world every day and where I don't need to put on the dreaded business suit in order to mingle.

One very pleasant thing I've discovered about online marketing--a little buzz goes a long way. I don't know whether it's the viral-ness of online communications that word spreads so quickly or if the online community is just tighter than offline networking orgs, but a little dab of online buzz around yourself or your biz will do ya.

So how do you get that buzz going? Penelope Trunk's has addressed that very question in her post  "How to build buzz around yourself". Most of these suggestions are things that even I feel comfortable doing, and I actually think they would be more effective than traditional meet-n-greet networking. Some of Penelope's tips:

Be known for good work.

This is the most powerful tool in your career. Even if you start with no reputation and no connections, it’s not unrealistic to get known for doing outstanding work. “If you’re great, people will notice you,” says Dana Zemack, founder of Zemack PR & Communications."

Contribute to the community.

The days of just pushing plain old information out to an audience are ending. Stories, not raw facts, are what people can relate to. “A great way to connect with people is by way of stories,” says Zemack. “When you build experiences or create a story around a something, then it becomes more engaging and personal.” You can do this many ways but maybe the easiest is to add your comments to blogs. This is a way to broker information in a useful way, sort of like inviting yourself to a party, but it’s OK to do so, as long as you make relevant contributions.

Shape your own destiny.

How people see you online matters. For example, most young people would not date someone before Googling them, and we do this kind of electronic research routinely before buying products and services as well. Recruiters also use the Internet to identify job candidates rather than sift through piles of resumes. So you need to manage your online identity to make sure people see you as the person you want to be.

Think in terms of experience and get off the sofa.

The more types of meaningful connections you can make with an audience, the more effective the buzz will be. “The best way to generate buzz about what you do is to combine an offline and online experience,” says Zemack...Also, just like people go to blogs to learn something and have a fun engagement with a community, people like to do the same thing offline. Throwing a party is one of the oldest tools in the box for building buzz, and it still works. Zemack has made a name for herself, and her communications firm, by throwing ice cream parties and chocolate-tasting parties.

Excellent tips! So, how hard would it be for all of you to come to pad in Alabama for an ice cream party?

Okay, so maybe not all of these tips work for those of us virtual biz owners with absolutely no local clients, but you get the idea--get yourself out there, get involved in a community and get noticed!

Comments

[Penelope Trunk]

Sharon, thanks for linking to this post. Your comment about being a behind-the-scenes person makes me think of a book I read called Brag! by Peggy Klaus. It's a great primer on how to talk about yourself without sounding like a braggart and without underselling yourself, either. I learned so much from that book.

*****
Oh, I definitely need to read that! Thanks for your great post--it deserved to be linked to :-).

[Carolyn Manning]

This one hit home, Sharon. Online and even on the phone, I'm good to go. In person, though, I suddenly feel like I'm about thirteen feet tall and plaid with polka dots. Don't look at me, don't look at me. Somehow, we find the way to make us shine despite those things we see as shortcomings. Now, about that ice cream party?

*****
Hi Carolyn,

Yes, I know exactly what you mean. I feel completely out of place at in-person networking functions, but online, I'm in my natural element. It's nice to know that no matter what type of personality you have, whether you're introverted or extroverted, that there's a way to let yourself shine.
And you know I'll take any excuse to eat ice cream! It's a shame we can't pull that party idea off. :-).

Cheers,
Sharon

[mindblob]

Sharon,
Great post.
I promise if I ever make it to Alabama, I'll go for the ice cream party! Virtuality has limits that are good to cross from time to time... and ice cream is the perfect incentive. ; )

*****
Hi Luc--yes, ice-cream brings the world together ;-). If you ever have a party, it has to be a chocolate-tasting one. Believe me--with you being in Belgium, one of the chocolate capitals of the world, people might actually cross continents to attend your bash!

Sharon

[Carolyn Manning]

Why can't we pull of a party? A few weeks ago, I posted about a party Phil Gerbyshak and I talked about. How about Jersey in September? Lots of ice cream there.

*****
I'm marking my calendar :-)!

[Verna Wilder]

Sharon, I'd come visit you even without the ice cream. Sometimes I think about what could possibly get me to Alabama so we could meet and maybe hang out in our work clothes (sweats) and just talk. I love these tips. Thank you.