Painless Self Promotion with Ilise Benun author of Self Promotion Online

Remember this: Relationships are everything. Your self promotional goal is to get to know, and be known by, as many people as possible.

Obstacles to Self Promotion n “My mother told me not to brag.” n “I’m not the extroverted type.” n “I don’t know what to say.” n “I don’t have time.” n “The library won’t let me do it.” n Any others?

Self Promotion Secret #1 Self Promotion is not bragging, it’s talking about what you know best: your work. –It’s not Ours is the best library in NJ.” –Talk about your work, your library, your programs, benefits of libraries in general. –Describe what you do. Tell stories about the people you help. Engage your listener.

Self Promotion Secret #2 Self Promotion is not about you. –Don’t worry about what to say or what anyone will think. –Instead, ask questions of whoever’s in front of you. –Find out what they do, what their concerns and challenges are. –Respond to what they say.

Self Promotion Secret #3 Self Promotion is giving. –You want to help people. –You are offering your services to those in need of them. –Be generous with your business card, your information, your ideas.

Self Promotion Secret #4 Self Promotion is being professional, which means being: –Reliable –Responsive –Resourceful –Professional –These are all marketing tools.

Self Promotion Secret #5 n Self Promotion is about making contact. –Invite one person into a conversation. –Learn something about them. –Learn something new from them. –Make a personal connection. –Get their contact info so you can stay in touch. –Always follow up.

Self Promotion Secret #6 Self Promotion is participation. –Don’t wait til they come find you. (They won’t.) –Get out of your building.. –Volunteer to do what needs to be done. –Let people see you work. –Soon, the invitations will start pouring in.

Answering “What do you do?” 1. Your 7-word blurb what you do (label or action?) 2. Your 15-word blurb …what does that mean? 3. Your 25-word blurb …plus one very specific example. Create 3 different versions for the different kinds of people you encounter.

People skills you need n How to make contact without alienating people. n How to make people comfortable. n How to ask intelligent questions. (“Tell me more about that.”) n How to introduce yourself. n How to remember names. (Hint: it’s about listening.)

How to make a connection an exercise 1. Learn something new. 2. Offer something useful. 3. “Tell me more about that.” 4. Link what you do to what they do. 5. Exchange contact information.

Ideas for “getting out there” n Attend meetings in the local community (Friends of the Library, Chamber of Commerce, City Council, local schools) n Join NJLA and attend meetings and conferences. n Work with state, regional and national associations. n Contribute to online discussions.

How You Can Promote Yourself and the Library n Take credit for the work you do. Put your name on handouts, web sites, posters, bibliographies, everything. n Compile it all into a portfolio that shows your skills. n Get press coverage in the local paper about your programs (and you.) n Promote library programs in other groups you belong to.

How to Position Yourself for Promotion Lots of retiring librarians. How do you get those positions? n Get supervisory experience any way you can: volunteers, interns, junior librarians. n Make sure the right people (decision- makers) are aware of you and the work you have done.

Networking tips n Introduce yourself. n Always offer your business card. n Wear a nametag. n Making face contact first will make people more comfortable to call you later.

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