One of the more challenging aspects of being a creative person, especially if you’re a freelance whatever-you-do like me and so many of my friends, is promoting yourself. How do you let people know what you can do, and do well, without coming off as an overinflated egotist?
You get one of your other creative friends to write your PR materials.
This week, make an arrangement with a creative friend who knows your work well and offer to trade puffery for puffery.
How do you want to promote your friend? How about a press release about a recent project, a brochure for her company, or a letter to send out to potential clients. Talk it over first to find out what will work for her.
A bit of reciprocal publicity lets you see your world from another perspective. You might be surprised at how glamorous and exciting your work is to an outsider. Give it a try and see what happens.
Posted by kuri at February 25, 2005 09:49 PMBrilliant. That IS the hardest part. Marketing yourself. This week I was part of a panel of creative people, and I left my books in the car. The dancer on the panel had a whole PR packet to give out to everyone. The storyteller handed out pens! I was left saying “Meet you in the parking garage if you want my book.” It worked. I sold two - but I felt like a heel.
I like your idea here. Now…who to prey on for promotional verbage…?
Posted by: Jennifer on February 25, 2005 10:05 PMEven me (I’m not a creative person), it is difficult to show what kind of teacher I am. (I’m teaching Englihs at home as a franchise smal school)
Posted by: Mieko on February 26, 2005 04:19 PMJenn, if I went to a panel and was faced with choosing who was more interesting based on:
a) availability of PR package
b) ready supply of pens
c) sells books from car meet me in the parking lot
I would probably choose C every time. Unless the pens were very nifty.
Posted by: womble on February 28, 2005 01:23 PM