How to Say 'I'm the Best' Without Actually Saying It If you're not promoting yourself, you may be losing out on opportunities.

By Anna James

Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own.

Self-promotion is imperative to growing one's brand.

I once introduced a baseball player to a CEO of a large sporting agency. They exchanged their names and little else. Afterwards, I asked the athlete why he didn't mention that he'd been signed twice to minor league organizations, information I believed would have made a real impact during the conversation. The ballplayer shyly explained that it would have been "awkward" to mention his achievements.

Without a little bragging, you'll squander opportunities, just like that athlete. Here are six steps to developing your own self-promotion strategy, and how to tell people you're the best without actually saying it:

Related: 10 Ways to Promote Yourself to Entrepreneurial Success

1. Identify what you've done and and what you're good at. List your achievements, including the endeavors you worked really hard and failed at. This is your personal performance map illustrating how far you've come and what you can promote. You've done the hard yards -- own it. We are told all of our lives that modesty is paramount and we must work in silence until we reach our end goal, but remember we have every right to celebrate our achievements along the way.

2. Practice your communication. There are various ways to convey the message "I'm the best" without actually saying it. Communicate in a non-threatening manner when promoting your offering, using phrases such as "I'm passionate," "I'm invested" and "I did [this]" or "I worked hard [at that]." People respond to effort and enthusiasm, not hot air.

3. Tell everybody. Think of it like this -- if you've worked 16 hours a day to build a profitable business, don't you think you've earned the right to vocalize your success? Sharing with the world who you are and what your vocation is not boasting -- it is simply stating fact. Starting that conversation of "Hi, I do this" will open yourself up to new opportunities.

Within minutes of meeting me you'll discover I'm a passionate freelance writer, and that I recently secured a fantastic contract through the recommendation of my local barista. A friend of his needed a writer, and he thought of me immediately. You'll never know every connection another person has, so promote what you can do to everyone.

Related: Master Your 'Mingle-Ability': 5 Creative Ways to Network

4. Be prepared to prove it. Now that you've told people what you're doing and what your brand is about, you've got to back it up with hard evidence. The proof is in your work, and people will ask to see it. Update your website and social media channels constantly.

For example, when you're trying to enlist the help of a social media strategist and the link to their Twitter account is broken, alarm bells start ringing.

5. Get creative. Prove you stand out from the crowd by promoting yourself in an unusual way. Philippe Dubost is a perfect example. The web product manager transformed his online resume into the format of an Amazon advertisement, with himself as the product. Dubost's quirky self-promotion tactic caught the attention of the Today Show and he received over 100 job offers as a result.

6. Be generous. The best in a field often shares the spotlight. Promote and encourage others who are doing a good job and offer your help to those who ask for it. Develop a community around your work and give freely, as generosity is the most sincere way to be remembered.

World-renowned celebrity chef Jamie Oliver is known to share his expertise with just about anyone who will listen. This kind of participation within his industry is invaluable to his brand. People are happy to invest in him because he is devoted to them.

Related: 5 Steps to Build a Creative Business from Scratch

Wavy Line
Anna James

Journalist

Anna James is a journalist based in Sydney, Australia. Within six months, Anna built up her own creative freelance business from scratch and writes for several clients who are leaders in business.

Editor's Pick

A Father Decided to Change When He Was in Prison on His Son's Birthday. Now His Nonprofit Helps Formerly Incarcerated Applicants Land 6-Figure Jobs.
Lock
A Teen Turned His Roblox Side Hustle Into a Multimillion-Dollar Company — Now He's Working With Karlie Kloss and Elton John
Lock
3 Mundane Tasks You Should Automate to Save Your Brain for the Big Stuff
Lock
The Next Time Someone Intimidates You, Here's What You Should Do
5 Ways to Manage Your Mental Health and Regulate Your Nervous System for Sustainable Success

Related Topics

Business News

Uber Eats Deliveries Are Flooding a Los Angeles Neighborhood — Except No One Knows Who Placed the Orders

Residents of L.A.'s Highland Park neighborhood are once again the target of dozens of unsolicited Uber Eats orders. The "annoying and somewhat disturbing" mystery is gripping the city.

Growing a Business

The Human Side of Business Scaling — Why Employee Well-Being, Team Cohesion and Company Values Must Be Prioritized

Let's explore the potential pitfalls of neglecting employee well-being, team cohesion and company values as you scale — and a few strategies to prioritize each.

Business News

After Being Told They Could Work From Home Forever, Employees Made Major Life Changes. Then, a New CEO Ordered Them Back to the Office.

Farmers Group CEO Raul Vargas is facing backlash for the change, but he says being in the office brings more "collaboration" and "innovation."

Business News

'I've Got the Bug for Business': See All of Mark Wahlberg's Entrepreneurial Endeavors, From Marky Mark and the Funky Bunch to Wahlburgers

Mark Wahlberg owns businesses in several categories, including entertainment production, apparel, fitness, and nutrition.

Growing a Business

How to Grow Your Business With Social Media

Miriam Fried, owner of MF Strong, shares why a solid online presence, including social media and Yelp, is important for starting a business and achieving continued growth.

Business News

Gamestop Suddenly Fires CEO, New Chairman Posts Cryptic Tweet Hours Before Announcement

Shares of the electronics retailer plummeted up to 20% early Thursday.