Have you ever felt like you needed to learn how to promote yourself but didn’t want to come across like you were bragging?

Take a lesson from the best braggers on the planet– Men!

Most male musicians have an instinct for informing the world of “look at all the things I’ve done”.

When you are introduced to a guy it usually doesn’t take but a few minutes before they give you the 411 on who they are, what they’ve accomplished and all the gear they own.

The Brag-fest is On!

All this monologuing seems to whiz by without a blink of an eye or any sign of remorse on their part. I must say it’s pretty impressive.

A while back at one of my gigs, I met a bass player who sat next to me. Within a few minutes he informed me of some of the great musicians he has worked with, and went on to list all of his vintage gear as well as his recent CD projects with a well-known producer out of Nashville. This all took place in the course of a few minutes. Not only was he insistent on revealing all this to me, but he spoke loud enough so others around could hear the conversation.

After years in the music business, I am of the persuasion that this normally frowned upon practice is necessary for female musicians as well.

Oftentimes as women in music, we feel that speaking about ourselves is self-serving. If you believe that, you are correct. The ugly truth is people can’t read minds (especially men) and if you don’t tell them what you can do, they will stereotype you as a non-accomplished female.

The One-Minute Business Card

To their credit, men have mastered the skill of the “One-Minute Business Card”. It is the ability to inform others in one minute, who you are, what you have done, and what you are presently working on. Oh! And don’t forget to add in all the amazing gear you own! (You may take longer than a minute to divulge all this information, but you need to have it at the forefront your brain so it comes across quickly and naturally in a conversation).

If you are meeting someone, you simply start by introducing yourself: Give them your first name and always give your last name (like a professional).

Then look for a way to sneak in a few of your accolades by creating a bridge in the conversation, such as: “Oh! You’re a bass player. I’ve been playing guitar for years with this great bass player such and such, who used to tour with so and so. He just recorded some tunes for one of my books I just released.

I accomplished a few things here: told him I played an instrument, suggested it was for a long time, proved I was professional through association and dropped a name. I also, let him know I was an author.

Sneaky, right?

After that you can go back to asking more about the other person.

Talk may be cheap, but silence isn’t golden

I admit that this practice can come across as boastful, but I’ve learned from the best…the men I work with and meet on a regular basis. If you don’t believe men practice this art, listen to conversations that they have with each other.

Of course, it’s imperative that you are sincere and actually have accolades to talk about (which you will accumulate as you go along). Self-promotion let’s others know they can’t stereotype you, and you’re not just another pretty face.

Today’s quote (makes you thankful you were born in this century!)

“The male is by nature superior, and the female inferior, and the one rules, and the other is ruled; this principle, of necessity extends to all mankind”.

– Aristotle (384-322 B.C)

Vivian Clement

“I am woman, I can do anything”

– Helen Reddy, singer