We live in The Golden Age of Self-Promotion.
We’re surrounded by big-picture thinkers, transformational leaders, visionary leaders, change agents and thought leaders.
How do we know? Because they tell us!
(For more on thought leaders, watch this.)
These people may indeed be really, really good at what they do but I’ve always thought it a little…untoward…to describe oneself in superlatives.
So, given all the hype, how do we figure out whether a consultant, agency or organization is for real?
I’m not sure I have any great answers. But I know that if I read something and it leaves me scratching my head as to what the person or organization does, I move on.
I look for people and agencies who tell me what they do in plain English, like communications consultant Doug Dolan and The Goodman Center, which helps nonprofits become better storytellers.
(In case you’re wondering – or even if you’re not – this is what I do.) (Given that the topic of this e-news is self-promotion, I’m not sure whether I’m being ironic or not.)
It’s always good if the site gives at least a general idea of who the person’s/organization’s clients are. (One small agency made it sound like they foment revolution along with communications. I had to laugh when I saw that their clients are all perfectly respectable – but mainstream – organizations.)
I guess it comes back to basics. If you can’t tell me your who, what, why and how so I can understand it, how can I expect you to do the same for me?
Need some help clarifying and tightening your who, what, why and how? Get in touch. I’d love to help!
Thanks for reading!
