5 tips for promoting yourself on social media (without feeling pushy)
You know you need to be promoting yourself on social media to grow your business. You know the right clients won’t find you unless you put yourself out there. But self-promotion? It just feels…icky. I get it! If putting yourself in the spotlight feels awkward, you’re not alone.
Let’s take some of the pressure off. In this post, I’ll share why self-promotion feels uncomfortable for so many of us, a simple mindset shift that can help, and five ways to start sharing your work confidently—without feeling pushy.
Why does self-promotion feel icky?
- Fear of judgement: it’s vulnerable to put yourself out there, share what you’re selling and ask people to invest in your dream.
- Imposter syndrome: you might be doubting your worth and the value of your products/services.
- It’s all about you: and that can feel a little arrogant, braggy and uncomfortable.
A QUICK MINDSET SHIFT—This always helps me feel more confident going into any sort of sales conversation. Remember that the thing you are selling solves a BIG problem for someone. You aren’t tricking someone into buying from you, you are giving them something they really need.
5 tips for promoting yourself on social media (without feeling pushy):
start with building connections
There’s so much pressure when you are trying to sell yourself. If you have expectations of getting sales from every conversation and piece of content, it can feel like a lot. Make it easier on yourself by switching your focus.
We know that people need to know, like and trust us before they will buy from us. Start with a goal of building connections and growing relationships with your community.
TIP: If you want some ideas for posts that are focused on making connections, download this free 30 days of social media content ideas guide.
Take the focus off yourself
If talking about yourself feels uncomfortable, try talking about one of your clients instead. Put the focus on someone you worked with and how they found the experience.
Tell a story about what your client was struggling with, the support you provided and the impact that had for them. Include a testimonial from them to build credibility (and boost your confidence as a reminder of the impact you’re having!)
Be helpful
Nobody has ever gotten mad about getting free tips and advice. Helpful content showcases your expertise, builds trust and creates opportunities for you to share what options you have for further support.
Looking for content ideas? Think about:
- Struggles your audience has
- Questions they often ask
- A tool or resource you use that they might find useful
TIP: Ask ChatGPT for ideas. Write a prompt that includes: what type of business you are, who your ideal clients are, that you’re looking for content ideas that will be helpful and valuable for your audience.
Keep your content balanced
In my opinion, self promo is only icky when it’s overdone. If the only posts you share are ones asking people to buy from you – that’s a problem.
To keep your content balanced, make sure you’re sharing a mixture of posts that promote your business and posts that give value to your audience. Valuable posts are: relatable to your audience, easy to understand, and simple to take action on. Some ideas are telling personal stories, sharing funny memes, or taking them behind the scenes.
TIP: And if you’re wondering what to post when you don’t have anything interesting to say, here are 10 creative Instagram post ideas to help you promote your business.
Share your brand story
The truth is, not many businesses are completely one-of-a-kind. What makes your business different from the rest is your brand story. Your mission, values, and unique selling points help your business stand out from your competitors.
Knowing the right way to position yourself and your services can mean the difference between standing out and blending in.
TIP: To figure out what’s unique about your business, take a look at some of your recent testimonials to see what your clients have found valuable about your work. Testimonials can highlight the things you are doing well and maybe differently to anyone else in your industry.
For example that might be: she listens to my input, has really great customer service, always ships really fast, made complicated ideas easier to understand, went above and beyond for my business.
Want a gentler approach to social media?
Promoting yourself on social media doesn’t have to feel uncomfortable or forced—it can actually be a natural extension of the value you already bring to your clients. With a shift in perspective and a few strategic steps, you can start sharing your expertise in a way that feels true to you.
If you’re feeling burnt out on social media, tired of chasing trends, and ready for support that respects your style (no pushy tactics here!), I’d love to help. Click here to learn more about my social media services designed specifically for female service providers like you. Let’s make promoting yourself feel a little easier—and a lot more authentic.