<a href="http://judythewriter.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/shamelessselfpromotion.jpg"><img class="alignright size-medium wp-image-5983" src="http://judythewriter.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/shamelessselfpromotion-300x228.jpg" alt="shamelessselfpromotion" /></a>Writing is a profession. Authors have products to promote – their books.

A fly-fishing guide in our town has fish mounts in his shop and pictures of trophy catches with his clients. Doctors, dentists, and other medical professionals hang diplomas and certifications on their office walls.

Is either professional bragging or boasting or promoting?

I don’t think so. Those pictures and diplomas provide qualifications. They say, “I know from experience.”

So why is self-promotion difficult for us for self-published or indie authors? I believe two things stop authors displaying our book like the medical professionals hang diplomas and talking about our books:

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~The negative connotation of “self-promotion”

~an ingrained fear of being called a braggart

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An examination of words associated with self-promotion may help ease our conscious and help clarify the differences between being a braggart and promoting our books.

BRAG: pompous or boastful statement; arrogant talk or manner; cockiness. A braggart is one who asserts boastfully.

We’ve all encountered the overzealous self-published author with his stack of books under his arm asking you to buy. Too much and what gives self-promotion its negative conation! Bragging is not promotion.

SHARE means to partake of, use, experience, occupy, or enjoy with others. The operative word here is <em>with</em>.

Most of us look for the validation of a merchant’s knowledge of his product and want proof of a doctor’s expertise. If they don’t share the information, we don’t know. As authors, if we don’t share about our books, others don’t know about our accomplishments. I personally enjoy sharing creative friends’ work whether is a book, a painting, or a quilt.

PROMOTE is to contribute to the growth or prosperity of or to present (merchandise) for buyer acceptance through advertising and publicity. It’s seeking buyer approval. That’s not a bad thing because the final decision remains with the buyer.

So when authors say we won’t do promotions aren’t we cheating ourselves? I think so. What do you think?