Hate to publicize yourself?

Shoutout to PR News editor Nicole Schuman (a true blue Buffalo Bills fan) for sharing thoughts about breakout stars at the Olympic Games in her piece, “PR Advice for Overnight Sensations.”

Behind the scenes

This week, I spoke with an author I’ve coached who told me she hates promoting herself. “I know I have to do more, but I get stuck every time I try to outline what I need to publicize,” she said.

I get it. I’m a publicist. A publicist who sucks at promoting herself. I started in college sports information, which is as behind-the-scenes on the publicity scale as it gets. The vibe is why I also like working as a TV stage manager – with announcers, in the background, instead of facing the camera. I want to help others become dynamic voices. 

Get yourself known

You might be in the same boat. You want to build your reputation and become visible among specific groups of buyers or fans, but you don’t know where to start or in the author’s case, expand on the work you’ve already done. You feel more comfortable when someone else talks about you. (I mean, if it’s good, of course 😅.)

Again, I get it. So I challenge you like I challenged myself. Highlight your value with earned, owned and social media. And if you need help doing that well … I’m here for you.

In case you wonder how I advised the author

I suggested she grab pen and paper (no keyboard) and do a brain dump of details related to the topic of her book. From there, I told her to draw offshoots or subtopics because she discusses them with people each day. I assured her she’d have at least 20 news-building elements from that map. We can work together to tell those stories from there.

Could I have done that for her? Sure. But I wanted her to see that there was more to her story than she knew.

© 2024 Gail Sideman, gpublicity 

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Bonus – This kid proved he has more than a Trace of talent (voiced by Green Bay Packers broadcaster, Wayne Larrivee).