Why You Owe It to the World to Market Yourself
by Linda C. Puig, president
Every week, you see people in your office, possibly over the phone, and talk to them about life’s difficulties. Let me ask you this…does your work:
- Help people work through painful feelings, such as grief, regret or abandonment?
- Help people better understand themselves and others?
- Support people through difficult life transitions?
- Provide a space for people to share their true feelings?
- Help people find love again—in themselves, in their relationships?
If your answer is yes to ANY of these, then I need to ask you one more question: Are you doing all that you can to let people know that you exist, that you are available to support them? ‘Cuz if you’re not, you’re doing everyone a disservice, starting with yourself.
As a sometimes-actor, I can get sometimes-melodramatic. I certainly don’t mean to here. The thing is that so often we get hung up on marketing because we feel uncomfortable tooting our own horn or participating in anything that even remotely resembles—gasp!—hawking our services.
But consider the bigger picture: You can only serve and support people—and by extension, the world—if they know about you. Therefore, marketing isn’t really about you at all. It’s about all the people you might be able to help. In essence, marketing becomes an extension of your service to others.
It reminds me of the beautiful writing by Marianne Williamson in her book, A Return To Love: Reflections on the Principles of A Course in Miracles (often incorrectly attributed to Nelson Mandela): “We ask ourselves, ‘Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous?’ Actually, who are you not to be?…Your playing small does not serve the world. There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won't feel insecure around you. We are all meant to shine, as children do.”
So next time you shrink from promoting yourself and your services to others, consider instead expanding into the awareness that what you offer is valuable and necessary to their well-being. How could you possibly keep that gift from them?
In keeping with this idea, I want to promote the support that Claire Communications provides year-round to you who support others. Our newsletters save therapists and coaches time, headaches and lots of energy. We’d love to be your marketing partner so that you can focus on your clients. Won’t you consider giving yourself the gift of hassle-free marketing in 2007?
If you’re a therapist, go to this link: www.newslettersfortherapists.com
If you’re a coach, go here: www.newslettersolutionsforcoaches.com
If you want to start first by buying individual articles for your own use, click here: www.articlesforsale.net.
 Ho, Ho, Ho! Need Some Holiday Articles?
We have seven articles for sale currently that speak to either the upcoming holidays or to the winter season. Click here to see them: www.articlesforsale.net/article_pages/seasonal.html. We’ll sell you all seven for $216, a savings of $54, but we need to process it manually. Please send us an email, if you’d like to order the bundle. Otherwise, individual articles are $45, with Top 10s being $30 apiece.
Build More in 2007 and Save 20%—but Hurry!
The 20% off special for our Thriving newsletter for therapists is still in effect, but only through December 1. Visit www.newslettersfortherapists.com and click on the "Thanks-Giving Special Pricing" cornucopia to get the best deal on Thriving yet.
Thanks for the Thanks
We sent a note just before Thanksgiving, thanking all of our current clients for the privilege of serving them, which gives us wonderful, meaningful work. Here are a few of the kind comments we received in return:
“Thank YOU for the fabulous work you do on our behalf!!!! Your newsletters are amazingly brilliant and helpful. Your work is a blessing to us all.”
—Joan F., Illinois
“Thanks, Linda, for all your great work over the years with me. I appreciate the service you have consistently given me and my company. The monthly newsletters have become an important part of my business communication.”
—Hayden H., Texas
“Thank you as well, for sharing your gifts with so many of us.”
—Janet S., Washington, DC
“Thank you!!! I appreciate all your contributions to my coaching practice...and to my life!!”
—Julie F., California
 Some exciting developments on the marketing front this month:
First, I joined a marketing mastermind mentoring group that promises not just a lot of new learning, but a virtual deluge! After only one call (and about 10 hours of homework), I came away with more than a dozen very solid ideas that I’m incorporating into my business over the next months.
Bear with me if I’m clunky at first with my new efforts. I’m adopting the warrior attitude of “Ready, fire, aim.” Yes, you read right. Fire first, then correct the aim. What this does is circumvent perfectionist tendencies. It’s the equivalent of a stun gun, zapping that inner character that doesn’t want to do anything until everything is absolutely, 100% foolproof perfect. Of course, you don’t want to go about firing wildly; planning is essential, to be sure. But some of us might plan forever before actually doing anything about it.
Recognizing that Liz and I don’t have enough time to do all these new tasks ourselves, I’m interviewing next week for a virtual assistant. Let me know if you have any to recommend!
I salute you and your own marketing warrior efforts! I can tell 2007 is going to be a great year!
Linda
Warrior name: Wildheart
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