How to Confidently Put Yourself Out There

Hello friends!

I just returned from Portland, Oregon, where I was a sponsor, exhibitor and speaker at a global conference for graduate school career services. I know the importance of putting myself out there to meet new people, talk about my business services and be as open as possible. I also recognize that there are so many people who struggle with putting themselves out there for fear of failure, limiting beliefs and imposter phenomenon.

If you find yourself having difficulty in putting yourself out there, here are my suggestions to help you build-up your confidence:

Embrace the Opportunity

Using my experience, by attending this conference and having an exhibitor's table, it was a golden opportunity to showcase my business and connect with potential clients. But it was also intimidating. I overcame the intimidation by staying true to my belief in myself and my product. By focusing on my beliefs, I was able to ignore the negative thoughts, and lean into the opportunity at hand. Additionally, believing in my product made it easier to speak confidently about it. Remember, to embrace an opportunity is taking ownership of what we can control and ignoring what we cannot control.

Networking with Purpose

A big part of putting yourself out there is talking to other people - i.e. networking. When you are networking, I suggest you approach each interaction with a clear purpose. Know what you want to communicate about yourself or your business and be ready to listen and engage with others. Effective networking is about building relationships, not just making sales pitches. Therefore, be more of a listener and less of a talker. Ask more questions and eventually, you'll have the right opportunities to speak about yourself and/or your business.

Articulating Your Value Proposition

Your value proposition is what sets you or your business apart from the competition. It's the unique benefit you or your product can provide. In order to help you stand out, be sure to practice explaining you or your product's value and differentiator clearly and concisely. A great way to do this is using engaging anecdotes and examples that illustrate an emotional feeling or outcome to the recipient.

Marketing Yourself

While at the conference, I made sure my exhibitor's booth was visually appealing and that I had plenty of promotional materials. I also jumped into as many conversations as possible and introduced myself to as many people as I can. The key is not to "pitch slap", but rather to be authentic. In other words, I don't talk about my services unless someone asks me about it. I go by the mantra that "if they are interested, then they will ask". Therefore, be sure to take the pressure off of yourself and just have an authentic conversation. There's no better marketing than authenticity.

The Power of Communication

Good communication is the backbone of successful networking. Whether you're introducing yourself, explaining your services, sharing a personal experience, asking engaging questions or following up after the event, clarity and enthusiasm are crucial. Practice active listening, show genuine interest in others, and be ready to share your story. In addition, work on your tone, energy and body language. These are pillars to strong communication, and you must showcase it to standout.

Taking Chances

Putting yourself out there often means stepping out of your comfort zone. Embrace the discomfort and view each interaction as a learning opportunity. During the conference breakfast and lunch sessions, I made it a point to sit at tables that had people I've never met before. After the day's sessions completed, I would engage with new people at the hotel lobby bar. The more you practice getting out of your comfort zone, the more confident you'll become. Don't overthink it and just do it!

Final Thoughts

Putting yourself out there with confidence is about preparation, practice, and a positive mindset. Believe in your unique value, communicate it effectively, and seize every opportunity to connect with others. Never act like you are bigger or better than everyone. Humility is a core trait to connecting with people. It will also help you speak about yourself or your business with passion and likeability. Your confidence will shine through, opening doors to new possibilities and success.

Have a fantastic week ahead!

If you are interested in improving your speaking, communication skills and confidence, schedule a call with me or learn more about communication coaching here.

Thought Of The Week

A weekly thought to meditate, ruminate, and/or ponder on:

"If you don’t risk anything, you risk even more."

- Erica Jong