If marketing your book, business, or non-profit with confidence feels like a struggle, you could be dealing with low self-esteem issues. For example:
- You’re hesitant to highlight the value of what you offer, because you think no one will care.
- You freeze up verbally, because you’re nervous that you won’t say the perfect pitch line.
- You feel guilty discussing money or pricing details, because you don’t think you’re worth it.
- You’re worried other people will view your marketing efforts as a shameless self-promoter.
Notice how the common denominator is your own fear – fear of failure or a concern that other people might view you in a negative light. In reality, though, you should never feel shame when you’re selling tangible value.
Why feel nervous when you know that your book, product, or service can really help entertain, inform, or inspire people? If your product is good, don’t let a low self-esteem hinder your promotional activities. Remind yourself that you’re simply trying to help people. Marketing is the process of letting a lot of people know that you’d like to improve the condition of their lives.
If you have a successful track record, why be bashful? Promote with confidence. Otherwise, no one will believe you, and you’ll live out a self-fulfilling prophecy wondering why your marketing never works. If a low self-esteem is affecting your marketing mindset, consider internalizing this statement:
I have legitimate value to offer other people, and I’d be remiss to keep it to myself.
If that doesn’t work, try looking into a mirror and repeating the old line from Stuart Smalley on Saturday Night Live, “I’m good enough…I’m smart enough…and doggone it, people like me!”
