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Self-promotion: the art of classy bragging

Do you dread posting selfies all over Instagram, updating your Facebook dreams, or even tweeting your brilliant ideas for everyone to see? Whether it’s due to modesty or fear of coming across as an attention seeker, a lot of people struggle with self-promotion online.

ILLUSTRATION: Going cold turkey from using Facebook
A man running away from the whirlwind of social media. (Source: Tribune News/MCT)

College is a pivotal time to start advertising yourself but it can be easy to be swept away by the competition especially with the new whirlwind of social media. So here are a few tips for mastering the art of self-promotion without coming across as a sleazy bragger.

Develop an online identity

Whether you’re a tweeting novice or expert selfie photographer, most people have already established an online identity. This is a perfect way to build your portfolio and showcase your skills. Now, some people will remind you to be overly humble but I encourage you not to feel guilty when promoting yourself. To keep from becoming a flaunty bragger online, it’s a good idea to practice class when posting and celebrate other people’s achievements too.

Weave together meaningful webs of people

College is undoubtedly a busy and stressful time. However, it is also the time where we are building some of our most important relationships. According to lifehacker.com, engaging with like-minded people is a great way to build a professional network, especially online. However, knowing when to draw the line at being overzealous or annoying will make you a better self-promoter.

Build yourself as a brand

Remember, this is you we’re talking about and it’s important that people know who you are. Although it is usually frowned upon to talk about yourself, I encourage you to  embrace your uniqueness and post anything and everything that matters to you. That is the brand that will set you apart from the crowd and springboard you into your desired future.

Know yourself

This is a no-brainer. If you don’t know who you are, how are you going to promote yourself? Unfortunately, a lot of people are uncomfortable with self-promotion because they aren’t comfortable in their own skin. To not come across as a fake, you need to trust yourself and just be you. According to Forbes contributer Stephanie Burns, “discovering your drive” will make you a more genuine and original person.

So guess what? Self-promotion is simple. All you have to do is “keep doing you.”

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