Firstly what is the meaning of ‘blow your own trumpet’?
Answer: To act in a boastful, self-promoting manner.
Don’t you think “blowing your own trumpet” and boasting about yourself, is a bit tricky?
Do you find it hard to do?
If you do, you are not alone.
The vast majority of us do.
But one of the most crucial skills in today’s world is to be able to sell yourself. If you are trying to sell a service or to get new business you will need to sell yourself.
We see people telling everyone ‘how brilliant they are’, blowing their own trumpet, when in fact, they are useless.
We see that on every TV episode of ‘Pop Idol’ or ‘Got Talent’.
The unknown singer says, ‘Yeah, I love singing. I sing everyday and everyone says how good I am. I’m good enough to win this contest, in fact I think you are looking at the 2010 winner of this show’.
We’ve all seen them.
Then get onto the stage and just cannot sing.
We also see people telling everyone ‘how brilliant they are’, blowing their own trumpet, and in fact, they are. They are brilliant at what they do but no one likes them because they are so arrogant, conceited and we want them to fail.
Remember Muhammad Ali in his hey-day?
His battle cry, “I am the greatest!” was known across the world long before he was considered the finest boxer of all time.
He was a fantastic boxer. The worlds best ever, some would argue. But didn’t you want him to lose? To get knocked-out?
So how do you blow you own trumpet without coming across as bigheaded and arrogant?
One simple way is to get someone else to do it for you. This happened to me personally.
I completed some changes to a clients website and as a result within one month the website traffic had increase by 32%.
The owner of the website was so thrilled she actually took the time out and created a blog post just on my excellent services.
You can read the full story here: thank you for a great service provided
How else?
Through Your Passion.
People will listen (and be inspired) when you have an outstanding eagerness and passion for whatever you do. When you talk about what you do, be passionate.
Go The Extra Mile
Your actions can speak louder than your words.
When others see that you work hard and see ”Y” being delivered as well as “X”, you often don’t have to say anything.
You are blowing your own trumpet through your task deliveries.
Talk The Team Up
If you are leading a piece of work and it is delivered successfully, one way to blow your own trumpet is by letting the team and any peers have the credit. Always mention that the staff did all the work and mention individuals by name.
You will still get the credit because you are the leader, but always mention/communicate who has completed the work.
A truly first-class Leader gets things done through others and people know that.
Think How Others See You
People can assume a lot about your abilities from the way you look or the way you present yourself. They may think a scruffy, sullen looking person is disorganised, bad at their job and generally unreliable. Look smart, smile and act positive. That can go a long way in blowing your own trumpet.
So you don’t have to act like Muhammad Ali to blow you own trumpet, you can still do it quietly and with purpose.
“Look, if you had one shot, or one opportunity
To seize everything you ever wanted-One moment
Would you capture it or just let it slip?”
Eminem
What’s your view? Please share your views in the comments below.
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Great post! When you go out of your way and do a good job, then getting blog posts written about you like yours is really well-deserved. I do find it hard to blow my own trumpet, but you’re right that it needs to be done if only to make sure we really believe in ourselves and our ability.
.-= Ruth – Web Career Girl´s last blog ..10 Ways to Measure Your Past and Future Success =-.
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Ruth
Nice to see you here!
I think it’s only natural to find it hard. It’s too close to being boastful and arrogant and we don’t like boastful and arrogant people, do we?
Andrew
Yeah, others trumpet blow about us usually more effective if compare of our own trumpet blow. And others will blow it if we have significant achievement.
.-= Dana @ Blogging Update´s last blog ..Adding Social Networking Links to Blog =-.
Twitter: andrewrondeau
That’s true Dana. And it gives a boost to the confidence when it happens.
Andrew
Tooting or blowing your own horn is the expression. I thought it kinda cool that you got specific with trumpet. LOL
.-= Dennis Edell´s last blog ..7 DAYS ONLY – ProBloggers-31 Days To Build A Better Blog- + 3 Awesome Bonuses! =-.
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Dennis,
Perhaps it’s a UK thing – we say Trumpet!
Andrew
Well written. I agree that it can be important but also difficult to do this kind of “self-promotion”. I know I have difficulties with it, anyway.
.-= Shane´s last blog ..Market Samurai vs. Keyword Blueprint vs. Keyword Elite 2.0 =-.
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Shane,
It is hard, as you don’t want to come across as arrogant. I recently added a Testimonials page on this blog and that helps.
Andrew
.-= Andrew @ Blogging Guide´s last blog ..Make A Blog Income Without Working Hard =-.
[...] Sometimes You Have to Blow Your Own Trumpet [...]
Really came to terms with this lately. At first I really did not see why many online marketers tries so much to shout out so loud about their accomplishment. Like talking about their monthly income etc.
But now I realize that most times self promotion is much more effective than promoting even your products or services.
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Twitter: andrewrondeau
It can be…as long as you don’t do it too often.
Andrew
.-= Andrew @ Blogging Guide´s last blog ..The Funny Side of Customer Service =-.
As an internet marketer, I’m always extremely conscious of the very fine line between “blowing my own trumpet” and heading off into the field of over-hyping.
Peter recently posted..Inside the Mind of Gary Gregory and MOBS
You really have a great topic here. but I guess if you want to be successful online you really have to build yourself first. You have to gain a credible image and standing and when it happens that is the time that you can blow your own trumpet.
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Janice
…and get others to blow it for you.
Andrew
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I think before one considers “blowing their own trumpet” they need to make sure that they can back it up. Concentrate on mastering your skills first. If you can back this up with skills and quality, then this a very effective method of promoting your brand.
Twitter: andrewrondeau
Robert
I agree. Get some testimonials first…let others blow your trumpet first!
Andrew
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