💸 What is it about self-promotion that feels so awkward for so many of us? Why are we sometimes scared to self-promote in the workplace or with our clients? How can we ask for more? How can we be more of our own cheerleader?

Our guest today is the brilliant Stefanie Sword-Williams, author, founder of F*ck Being Humble and TEDx Talk speaker. She made it her goal to show people that self-promotion is something we can all adopt, we’ve just got to choose the narrative we want to tell.

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Fuck being humble

• Stefanie felt there wasn't a huge amount of representation that she connected with as someone who was 25 at the time when attending various work and networking events. She felt there was definitely a space for some disruption and to hear some new voices.

• A lot of friends were coming to her, asking for advice on how to pitch themselves, interview tips and CV prep.

• Her friends felt like there was a need for support, and Stefanie thought there must be some support needed for other people too.

• It began with launching an Instagram account that started off very humbly with a small audience and then graduated — eventually building up to starting an event. Eventually, she was approached to write a book.

• Stefanie eventually quit her job in advertising in 2020 to run the business full time.

Self promotion as a taboo

• The saying, if you work hard, you'll go far, is flawed — because how many of us work really really hard and then don't actually go that far?

• When you look at all the famous singers, journalists, authors, influencers — they have agents, they have marketing teams, they have people selling and promoting on their behalf. In the same way that brands don't just put a product out to the world and expect that customers will be queuing around the corner — they advertise. But for some reason when it comes to the individual, the discussion of self-promotion is just one not talked about enough.

• The act of self-promotion is not arrogant. Promotion is just an activity that supports a name or a goal.

• When you break it down, it really is just about finding the narrative that you want to share and promote about yourself — and if you don’t do it, who will do it for you?

• We're worried that if we self promote, what will people say? What will people think? What if they don't agree with us? But in doing so, what we actually end up doing is watering ourselves down. So we never really stand out.

• Instead, look at it as an opportunity to grow yourself and grow the career direction and trajectory you want to go down.

Finding your authentic voice

• Don't try and mirror and copy other people because it won't show up — you have your own authentic style.

• There are so many amazing speakers out there that we can look at, but so often we try and emulate people and the reason it doesn't feel natural is that it doesn't feel fitting to us.

• Observing what was missing is a really great way to help you find your own way of doing things.

• Look at everything everyone's doing and think of where could you could just push it a bit further at every touchpoint.

• It’s really important to figure out where you fit and also figure out where you can disrupt and to really own it in the process.

• If you're struggling to connect with people when you do find that distinctive tone, it's also about making sure that you keep pushing to find those rooms where you are celebrated and you are welcomed for being exactly who you are.

• We should all find spaces where it is normal and accepted to self-promote, especially for women.

• It is also really beneficial is to look around and see the women that you think do self promotion well. Make note of what they're doing.

• Don't leave your success to chance and don't leave it in the hands of other people. Make sure that you're the one driving that narrative and you're the one telling people about your successes.

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You can follow and connect with Stefanie at:

• Instagram: Fuck Being Humble

• Website

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