F*ck being humble – lessons in shameless self promotion from a master
There, I’ve said it.
F*ck Being Humble.
Or rather, Stefanie Sword-Williams had the sheer guts and personality to say it live on stage in front of 1500 business owners, including your humble scribe.
I’d never heard of Stef, which seems odd, given what I do for a living but then again, Stef’s focus is more about career development than PR but there are HUGE similarities.
Whilst my approach tends to be a lot more subtle and my focus is on my client versus myself, there is a lot to learn from Stef’s in-your-face approach.
Her book, “F*CK Being Humble”, has over 10,000 sales (and climbing after that talk!) and her content on LinkedIn is super-savvy, riding the line between love and loathe with the balance of a highwire artist.
Not that Stef really cares if you don’t like her or her message.
We’re in serious Marmite territory here people.
As it happens I love Marmite.
So who is Stef Sword-Williams?
Well, she was named in “Forbes’ 30 Under 30” (she nominated herself!) and “The Dots 100” women changing the creative industry and is a genuine trailblazer and changemaker using storytelling as a force for good.
That’s how she intrigued and engaged the audience – she told stories. Stef didn’t brag.
She questioned. She cajoled. She prodded and probed the uncomfortable truths around imposter syndrome, self-sabotage and in places, false modesty.
What she certainly didn’t and does not do is hide her light under a bushel.
It is for that reason that Stef is regularly invited to deliver thought-provoking talks and works with brands to bring to life campaigns and initiatives with purpose.
So what were my take-homes from her talk?
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Don’t wait to be invited, invite yourself.
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If you don’t take up space, other people will take your place.
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Don’t wait for a seat at the table…make your own table!!
Of course if that still seems a bit “I couldn’t possibly do that Greg”, well, guess what,I can do it for you!
Or you can buy her book. Or…
Win Her Book…
Or you can win it by emailing me and telling me what holds you back when it comes to PR and positioning yourself as the genuine go-to guy or gal in your field.
Stef’s refreshing approach is working, with an online audience of 150k followers organically and her work has been featured in Vogue, BBC World News, Forbes, The Times, Cosmopolitan, The Telegraph, Stylist Magazine and Design Week.
Oh and now on on here – Fuck Being Humble eh Stef?
Greg
P.S – Ready to find out if you are Media ready? Find out here