Confessions of Shameless Self-Promoters

Confessions of Shameless Self Promoters, Debbie Allen (ed.), Success Showcase Publishing, 2002

Are you a small business owner that's not exactly a whiz at marketing? Do you know the sort of person who is so good at marketing that they could sell ice to eskimos? This book is full of tips from entrepreneurs and motivational speakers that can turn anyone into a marketing expert.

One of the first rules is to keep a positive attitude. Everyone has heard of the "Chicken Soup for the Soul" book series. Over 130 different publishers rejected the first book. Most people would have given up long before this point. The editors stuck with it until someone finally said Yes. The series has now reached 37 books, all bestsellers, and has sold 68 million copies.

Seek out opportunities and act on them. Always carry business cards, because a new client will show up in the least likely place. Do at least five marketing actions every day (making phone calls, mailing postcards, etc). Build a strong group of alliances. Use the internet. Apply for and win awards; make up your own awards and publicize them. Keep in front of your target audience on a regular basis, and never let them forget that you exist. If you're an author promoting your book (even if it is self published), do your own book tour. If you're new in town, get to know people by volunteering. Make your piece of direct mail the one that gets opened, while the others get trashed. Last but not least: network, network, network!

This book is not meant just for entrepreneurs or other business people. One of the stories is about a married couple who shamelessly promoted themselves as a childless couple willing to adopt, a campaign that was ultimately successful.

No matter who, or what, is being promoted, this book is a must. It is full of tips that anyone, even beginners, can do to create financial and business success. To those who are nervous about taking that first marketing step, reading this book should be your first step.