Self-promotion. Everyone does it.
- Some do it well.
- Some do it poorly.
- Some do it shamelessly.
- Some are so good at it, you don't even know they're doing it.
I'm not sure if there is a right or wrong way to promote yourself. At the end of the day, it really depends on what you're comfortable with. There is however, a fine line between promoting yourself respectfully and pimping yourself without regard.
I've likened it to being no different than that person who brags incessantly about themselves at a party or that individual who talks on their cell phone at a coffee shop with no care to polluting the air of those around them. It's how they are wired and to them it's "normal". Even though, those at the party or the coffee shop will likely shake their head in amazement.
Nowadays, all the social media platforms are meshing together, if you follow someone on Twitter, it's likely you're now friends with them on Facebook, which also probably means you "like" their Facebook page. If they happen to have an iPhone (and now Android), then you probably follow their feed on Instagram. And don't forget about Pinterest, StumbleUpon, Google+ (speaking of self-promotion, does anyone use that?), etc.
You know what all that means? It means we're seeing variations of the same thing over and over again (and they're seeing whatever you're pushing out). I haven't even begun to mention people who link their tweets to Facebook or the automatic from Networked Blogs to Twitter or Facebook.
Bottom line, we're well on our way to overwhelming ourselves and those around us.
We're all doing it, so what kind of self-promoter are you? And more importantly, are you aware of it?
This article was written by Ethan Adeland, co-founder of FBC and author of Tastes Better With Friends. He is a writer, iPhone picture-snapper, traveler and experimenter in the kitchen. He currently resides in Vancouver, BC. Twitter: @EthanAdeland
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I agree that it does get to be too much, particularly when you have people promoting the same post over and over again throughout the week (some even longer). At some point, one can get immune to the flow of information and tend to miss out on the truly interesting post. Personally, I haven’t use social media to its fullest potential, using it with caution. I still haven’t seen it provide a significant benefit – at least to me. One more thing that I find annoying on Twitter, in particular, is the one-sided conversation. You know – the one where you’re commenting on someone’s Tweet, but they simply do not bother replying? Nice food for thought.
It is most definitely a fine line. I like to know when blogs I follow have a new post so I don’t mind a few tweets about a new post – I don’t always get to my google reader to check. And I like to know what people are up to. But my biggest beef are the “popularity contests” that encourage people to drum up votes for themselves. Not only does the constant stream of tweets and DMs drive me crazy but, I make note of the companies and sites that are running the promotion and you can bet I make a mental note to avoid them and their promotions.
I think the people that I enjoy following the best are the ones who seem personal and chatty on social media (and by chatty I mean conversations rather than just promotion). I like seeing what other people are up to – especially on instagram – and it makes me more interested in their blogs and writing.
When that is mixed in with self-promotion and blog links I think it balances out nicely.
Its a hard one to call. Like Melissa said, its a fine line. I don’t really like to self-promote (I know! I am in the wrong job) but at the same time, I have to if I want to get any number of readers/ commenters. I do get a bit overwhelmed with all the media out there and its hard to figure out what works best. I think the key, as in anything, is moderation, and the old, but very true adage ‘Do unto others as you would have others do unto you.’ 🙂