This post is written by Lisa Gerber.
My hometown, Sandpoint, Idaho, was just awarded Most Beautiful Small Town in America by USA Today and Rand McNally.
To say we are excited and proud is an understatement.
Because the Sandpoint Chamber of Commerce is a client, I’ve been involved in the discussion about how they make the most out of this huge award in their marketing campaign.
Around the Arment Dietrich and Spin Sucks Pro offices, we joke that if you have to exclaim you’re the smartest person in the room, you likely are not so smart.
But there are ways people can discover you’re smart without your having to exclaim it. And it’s important to let your customers know, in a non-icky way, that you’ve won a prestigious award.
Self-Promotion Doesn’t Have to Be Icky
Share the win in light of the benefits it provides your clients and customers. Tell them why they can care. Your bragging right may open up new areas of expertise, or provide them more exposure, or new channels of distribution.
- Message it with the benefit out front. While first instinct is to say “Sandpoint was chosen Most Beautiful Small Town in America by USA Today and Rand McNally,” try something such as “Book your summer vacation in the place USA Today describes as the Most Beautiful Small Town in America.”
- Reward and engage your audience with competition. You didn’t get wherever you are without your audience. Don’t forget them. You might want to shout on Facebook, “We’re so excited and proud! Sandpoint was chosen Most Beautiful Small Town in America!” And there is nothing wrong with that. Once. Can you turn around to benefit your online community and get them involved? “We can’t thank anyone in particular for making Sandpoint beautiful, but we can certainly collect data to back up the claim. Post your photos and /or videos of your time in Sandpoint and enter to win a return trip.”
- Badges. I’m such a fan of the badges. It’s a tasteful way to display your accolades and, if it’s appropriate, it should be on all your online and print assets. They provide credibility and stature, without shouting or imposing on your experience.
What tips do you have for the art of self-promotion without the ick factor?