I love meeting and hearing from others about how they started their business, what they’re doing now and how I can help them go to the next level. Although face to face meetings aren’t necessary to get the work done or make the work better, it does help you to get a better idea of the people you’re working with.

Next week I’m off to Florida for a meeting with a new client. I think Jake and I could have delivered a great video for them just with a few phone calls and emails but there is something you get with the face to face that you can’t get across with email. You get to know the person, you learn more about them and hopefully get a better understanding of what they will like. This face to face meeting can only help to achieve in making them something they are happy with and are proud to use in the promotion of their business. 

I love creating successful work as much as the next person but I always try to remember to share what I’m working on as I’m creating it. Whether its the final product or samples of some works in progress. And I love when I see people take the time to tweet out links to works in progress or share finished projects on Facebook. I feel like not enough people do it though. So many times people I know only share their work when they put together a new reel or are starting to look around for a new job. Maybe its because they don’t want to look too self serving or to seem like they are bragging or being too much of a self promoter. Well I think its important for you to talk as much as you walk. Your talent needs to be shared and you can’t just have your head down pounding away at the keys every day… You have to find time to connect with the right people and share with them what you’re working on. Sharing a work in progress is fun for people to see because it can gather interest, make people feel like they get a sneak peek at a project or even add some suspense for people who follow your work.

Admit it, when you are proud of something you’ve created, you like to show it off to other people. And in showing if off you are actually performing a crucial role. If you are a freelancer, you need to show off your skills so that when someone is looking to hire they remember that project they liked of yours. If you run a company or work fulltime its also vital to get your work seen in order to attract future clients or future employment.

So why not take some time out of your day to talk about and share what you’re working on? Shout it and share it for everyone to hear and see. Become that unabashed self promoter. A true hype man. Use social media networking sites to share what you’re working on and to demonstrate your abilities and aspirations.

Getting your name out there is all about bragging about the work you just got or just finished or that award you just won. Don’t be afraid or too modest to share these accomplishments. You don’t have to send out a formal press release with everyone one of these milestones, a simple verbal pat on the back with a blog post or tweet can be just as powerful. The advantages are obvious, it’s a free or a very low cost method to get your name seen to hundreds of potential new clients. If you’re worried about a client being upset you shared info about the work, don’t be (unless you are under an NDA). A client knows the importance of getting their name out there just as much as you do and will probably be thrilled you are talking about the project. Bragging modestly about yourself without being self-centered gets people to learn more about you and it shows that you know how to market yourself. And at the end of the day, your work could be fabulous but without having a method of spreading the word about it, no one is going to notice.