MediaFace founder and consultant Lisa Bragg shares warm, encouraging advice for self-promotion in her debut guide, Bragging Rights: How to Talk About Your Work Using Purposeful Self-Promotion.
Everyone needs to be able to brag about themselves, no matter how awkward it feels, she says; “the shift in our world of work is that we all now need to do it.” Many people, and women especially, have been told to convey their value without bragging or communicating overtly, which just doesn’t make sense. “You can’t sell a secret,” she notes.
Bragg conducted a survey on self-presentation from a variety of respondents; its findings inform the book. Also using personal tales of her clients and how they have succeeded or failed in promoting themselves, she discusses the social constructs of self-presentation, the importance of standing out as a role model, and how to get over the imposter syndrome. The appropriately-named Bragg includes exercises and questions for self-reflection to help readers get their boast on.
The work feels somewhere between an article and a book; the design includes many single-quote pages, big text, and space to write in. There’s no filler in the content. Bragg’s enthusiastic cheerleading and assurance that failing to brag about oneself is falling victim to “outdated advice” will give readers short on swagger the prompt they need.
Well put together, clearly and engagingly written and kind, this is a much-needed gift for the friend who is afraid to ask for a raise or the sister who fades into the shadows at work.
Also available as an ebook.
