The Complete Guide to Selling Yourself
129: Business, Relationships, Careers... Learn to sell yourself.
If you put aside social skills… The most important area you should actively work on and improve is your ability to sell. Your story. Your background. Yourself to others. Your business. Everything. Pay attention. This is an important one.
Table of contents:
Selling yourself?
How to sell yourself - formula approach
Where selling yourself matters (plot twist… everywhere)
How others perceive you
Quick Start Guide (for those who want just the basics)
Practical Advice On Selling Yourself
Level 1 - Core knowledge and skills
Level 2 - The development skills
Level 3 - Another level
What NOT To Do (Avoid mistakes)
Actionable summary
Selling Yourself?
Why you should learn to sell yourself: There are a lot of misconceptions when it comes to this topic. No surprises. Some people hate marketing themselves. Others don’t know what it even means. And some are not even aware of why they should do it in the first place. Better said. What is the real benefit of knowing how to sell yourself? Luckily for those who are reading this. You might be aware of why it matters and what it is all about. The concept can't be summarized in one sentence. The best way we could put it is to get what you actually want out of your life. You will have to sell.
The work (product, software, your skills…) will speak for itself: Lies from the old world. Since everyone is optimizing to grab attention (media, brands, etc.). This old idea that your work will be seen and heard without you doing a thing to market yourself is wrong. If you remember only one thing from this article, remember this. The idea that selling and marketing should feel forced or unnatural is wrong. It is not easy. But it is something you should become comfortable with and get used to over time. Otherwise, there is a good chance you will never be heard or that your talent will never get deserved attention. We all live in an attention economy. Meaning all of us should be optimizing for it. Whether we like it or not. Whether we find it hard or unnatural. No matter what you are doing or trying to achieve. The only way you will gain the recognition you deserve is by having complete ownership - even when it comes to distribution, marketing and selling.
Basic formula for selling yourself:
