In our hectic everyday lives, where our client work and other responsibilities often takes precedence over everything else, the crucial task of marketing ourselves often falls to the wayside. However, the importance of consistent marketing cannot be overstated – it is the cornerstone of your personal and professional growth, the foundation of your future success and a critical element in building a lasting legacy.

People often ask me how I find the time to market myself. I don’t have the time, but I make the time for it because it’s an investment in me.

You simply have to make the time for marketing yourself and building your personal brand. You may not think you need marketing right now, but marketing is an investment in your future, your business and your legacy. Here’s how:

Making Time for Marketing Yourself: A Non-Negotiable Investment

I hear “I don’t have the time to market myself” at least a few times each week from business professionals at all levels, and I totally get it. I also get that we must prioritize ourselves and make time for it while balancing work commitments and life in general. Like any investment, it requires time, effort, strategy and resources to accomplish our goals.

The Importance of Marketing in a Competitive Landscape

In today’s saturated market, where countless professionals offer similar services, standing out from everyone else is not just an advantage – it’s a necessity. Marketing is what keeps you top of mind with the people who can hire and refer work to you, so that yours is the first name that comes to mind when they have an opportunity in your wheelhouse. It’s about building a brand that resonates and creating a unique value proposition that distinguishes you from the competition.

Embracing Marketing

For many, the concept of marketing often feels uncomfortable. The solution? Tailor your marketing efforts to align with activities you enjoy and excel at. Whether it’s writing, speaking engagements, networking or social media, choose platforms that reflect your strengths and interests. By doing so, marketing becomes less of a chore and more of a fulfilling extension of your professional life.

Efficiency and Strategy: The Smart Approach to Marketing

With only so many hours in the day, efficiency becomes key. Consider outsourcing tasks that fall outside your expertise (such as marketing!) and repurpose existing content across multiple platforms to maximize impact. Carve out dedicated time for marketing activities, leveraging your most productive hours, whether that’s in the early mornings or late evenings. I focus on my personal branding efforts early in the morning before my day gets started. I carve out this time because it’s important – just like I do with working out and seeing my family – other things that are important to me.

The Power of Investment in Yourself

I can’t overstate the returns on investing in your own marketing efforts . This investment in yourself will help you grow your business and brand, establish credibility, build stronger connections and set the stage for long-term success. It’s a commitment to your future self, your business and your legacy. The path to achieving our goals is paved with actions we take today, not tomorrow.

Seizing Control: The Proactive Path to Success

Waiting for opportunities to come knocking is a passive approach that rarely yields results. I always say to myself, “You’ve got to be in it to win it,” which is a powerful motivator, reminding me that the onus is on me to pursue my goals. If I don’t do it – no one else will. I have to advocate for myself.

Marketing Yourself Starts Now

So, what steps will you take to market yourself? The best time to start is now. Embrace marketing as a critical component of your career and your legacy.

Marketing ourselves is both a challenge and an opportunity. It requires us to step out of our comfort zones, to invest in ourselves with the same effort and passion with which we serve our clients. But the rewards—visibility, recognition and success—are well worth the effort. So, take this advice to heart, and focus on your own marketing with greater confidence and purpose.

Key Takeaways for Effectively Marketing Yourself

1. Self-Marketing is Essential: Consistently marketing yourself is crucial for personal and professional growth, helping you stand out in a crowded market.
2. Investment in Your Future: Allocating time for self-marketing is an investment in your future success and legacy, not just a routine task.
3. Find Joy in Marketing: Tailor your marketing efforts to activities you enjoy, making the process more enjoyable and less of a chore.
4. Be Efficient and Strategic: Utilize efficient strategies such as outsourcing and content repurposing to maximize your marketing efforts without overextending yourself.
5. The Returns Are Unparalleled: Investing in your marketing efforts is worth the time and effort in terms of boosting your image, visibility, connections and long-term career success.
6. Action is Key: Adopt a proactive approach to your goals. Waiting for opportunities to come to you is less effective than actively pursuing them.
7. Now or Never: Embrace the urgency of marketing yourself. The time to start is now, leveraging the present to build a brighter future.

Homework Items

1. Audit Your Current Marketing Efforts: Take a close look at how you currently market yourself. Identify what’s working and areas for improvement. Set specific goals to enhance your visibility and personal brand.
2. Create a Marketing Plan: Based on your audit, develop a tailored marketing plan that incorporates activities you enjoy. Set clear, achievable objectives and timelines.
3. Schedule Marketing Time: Block out regular time slots each week dedicated solely to marketing activities. Treat these as non-negotiable appointments with yourself.
4. Engage in Enjoyable Marketing Activities: Choose at least one marketing activity that you enjoy and commit to it for the next month. It could be writing articles, participating in networking events, or engaging on social media.
5. Outsource or Automate: Identify at least one marketing task you can outsource or automate to save time. Research tools or services that can help streamline this process.
6. Repurpose Existing Content: Look through your existing content (articles, videos, podcasts) and identify pieces that can be updated or repurposed across different platforms.
7. Action Plan for Goals: Write down one professional goal you’ve been postponing. Develop a step-by-step action plan to achieve it, including applying for a job, pitching a speaking opportunity, or reconnecting with a former client.
8. Reflect and Adjust: After a month, review your marketing efforts and the progress towards your goals. Reflect on what has been effective and adjust your plan accordingly for continued growth.

By completing these homework items, you’ll take proactive steps towards enhancing your personal marketing strategy, ensuring that you’re investing wisely in your future success and legacy.