From Invisible to Influential: Mastering Self-Promotion with Brag!

The Art of Tooting Your Own Horn without Blowing by Peggy Klaus

The last two weeks, we’ve explored building a network and creating a personal brand. But once you’ve cultivated those skills, how do you effectively share your insights and experience with your audience and community? This week on Money Mondays, we’re tackling a crucial yet often uncomfortable skill in professional development—self-promotion. Peggy Klaus´s “Brag! The Art of Tooting Your Own Horn without Blowing It” is an essential read for anyone looking to confidently showcase their achievements without coming across as boastful. In a competitive professional environment , ensuring that your contributions are recognised can make a game changing difference in meeting your career goals.

I struggled with this at first. Some of the concepts felt a little cringe, and it made me realise how I still hold the fear of being perceived a little. Even today, when someone asks me what I do, I sometimes struggle to communicate it in a compelling and concise way. I know I’m not alone in this, so let’s dive into the key takeaways and learn how to master the art of self-promotion...

📚 Key Takeaway #1: The Importance of Self-Promotion

Many of us wait for others to notice our hard work, but Klaus argues that this can be a costly mistake. Self-promotion is a skill that can be developed, and it’s crucial for making sure your contributions don’t go unnoticed. In a world where achievements can easily be overlooked, you need to advocate for yourself and ensure your value is visible. This is especially important for women, who are often socialised from a young age to be seen but not heard. This is your sign to take charge of your narrative by highlighting your accomplishments in a way that feels genuine and aligns with your career goals.

Key Tip: When something goes right, keep note of it. This can be in a journal or an album on your camera roll—taking inventory of your wins is a game-changer for building confidence and having evidence ready when you need to highlight your accomplishments to employers, clients, or an audience.

📚 Key Takeaway #2: Crafting Your Personal Narrative with the “Take 12” Questions

One of the most practical tools in Klaus’s book is the “Take 12” questions—a set of prompts designed to help you reflect on your achievements and strengths. By working through these questions, you can create a narrative that highlights your skills and experiences in a way that is both authentic and compelling.

Key Tip: Use the “Take 12” questions to create a clear picture of your professional journey. This reflection can help you articulate your strengths in interviews, networking conversations, and performance reviews. You can start by asking yourself, “What are three of your most significant professional achievements, and what skills did you use to accomplish them?”

📚 Key Takeaway #3: Avoiding Brag Bombing

Klaus warns against “brag bombing”—overwhelming others with your achievements in situations where it’s not relevant. Instead, focus on being an effective communicator, knowing when and how to talk about your successes.

Key Tip: Be succinct, relevant, and thoughtful when sharing your achievements. Make sure self-promotion is just one part of your professional profile and interactions. This approach ensures your contributions are well-received and add value to conversations.

📚 Key Takeaway #4: Communicating Your Value in Various Contexts

Self-promotion isn’t one-size-fits-all. Klaus provides guidance on how to tailor your message depending on the context—whether you’re unemployed, discussing a team project, or highlighting key points on your resume. The ability to adapt your narrative ensures you can effectively communicate your value in any situation.

Key Tip: Practice adjusting your message for different audiences. This skill is especially valuable during job interviews, networking events, and in conversations with potential employers.

📚 Key Takeaway #5: The Power of Storytelling

Stories make your achievements memorable. Klaus emphasizes using storytelling as a tool for self-promotion—sharing your successes through engaging anecdotes helps others see the impact of your work.

Key Tip: When discussing your accomplishments, frame them as stories rather than listing achievements. This approach makes your successes more relatable and easier for others to remember.

📚 My Biggest Takeaway

I’ll be honest—this book made me feel uncomfortable at first. The idea of self-promotion, or “bragging,” felt cringe-worthy and against the grain of how I usually approach my work. But that discomfort was exactly why this book is so important. It made me realise that being able to articulate our value in a concise and compelling way is crucial—not just for advancing in our careers, but for ensuring that our hard work and achievements are recognized. Klaus’s “Take 12” questions, in particular, were instrumental in helping me reflect on my accomplishments and learn to talk about them confidently and professionally. This has been a game-changer in how I present myself and my work.

Why You Should Read “Brag! The Art of Tooting Your Own Horn without Blowing It”

This book is a must-read for anyone who wants to master the delicate art of self-promotion or develop professional confidence. Peggy Klaus’s approach is both practical and accessible, offering actionable advice on how to talk about your achievements in a way that feels natural and authentic. It’s especially valuable for those who struggle with self-promotion or want to ensure their contributions are recognized in a competitive job market.

How do you approach self-promotion in your professional life?

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