What's the one thing that keeps people from achieving the wealth
and fame they probably deserve?  It's so simple, yet almost
nobody knows how to do it. Without this one thing, you might
achieve a little and do okay, but getting rich and famous will be
far, far out of your reach.  So, what is this one crucial
ingredient for the ultimate success?  Blow your own horn!

That's right--most people don't know how to blow their own horn.
They don't know how to QUICKLY IMPRESS you with how much they
know, how helpful they can be, how much they have achieved, how
fast they can get new information, AND - most importantly - how
they can help YOU get what you want.

Promoting yourself is absolutely crucial to becoming a well-
known, trusted figure in your field.  And mark my word, once you
become "famous" earning a fat paycheck is not far behind.  Doors
will open.  People with healthy bank accounts and wallets fat
with credit cards will practically INVENT ways to give you money.
All it takes is a deep breath and a little know-how.

So let's start promoting you. Here's how:

1. Write down a list of every cool thing you have ever done.
Make note of all the fun, interesting, complicated, or action-
filled experiences of your life.  Try to slant your list toward
experiences that could show how you can help somebody else in
your field.

For example's sake, let's say your list includes:
* Took a lifeguard course--learned CPR and how to keep cool in
emergency situations.
* Worked your way up to assistant manager at a donut shop where
you were in charge of arranging work schedules and ordering new
inventory.
* Spent a couple of years going to college where you took English
composition, physical science, two business management courses,
and financial accounting.
* Now you read the boss's copy of the Wall Street Journal every
day, and spent last Saturday at the library sitting in a comfy
chair reading through all the latest popular business books.

Now let's BLOW YOUR HORN. Granted, there are millions of people
who have experience very much like yours, but there is no reason
we have to make you sound ordinary.

2. Write a paragraph that briefly shows how your life experience
qualifies you to be a big help to someone in your field.  Let's
say you want to consult over-worked managers like your boss. Your
paragraph might be:

I learned how to think clearly and act fast in crucial situations
while training to be a life guard. Later I mastered managing
people and materials while working in management and inventory
control for a busy mid-sized business.  That experience, in
addition to my university training in management, analytical
thinking, and concise communication, have given me a sharp mind
and a cool head.  Now I stay abreast of cutting-edge trends
through industry periodicals and books by important thinkers.

Wow! You sound pretty impressive, don't you?  A boss in sore need
of clear thinking and new ideas (and what manager isn't?) would
welcome having a person like you sitting in her office tossing
out thoughts and ideas.  And it's all because you learned how to
blow your own horn.

3. Now get covered by media. Mass media has mass audiences.  It
is the instant way to become famous.  Start by doing something
that gives media a reason to feature you.  You can:

* Crate something big and important
* Stage an event that is visual, unusual, or downright crazy
* Comment publicly on a current controversy
* Write an article for trade publications or ezines
* Write a short book and publish it yourself, then send copies to
local radio, TV, and newspapers.

4. Repeat the process as often as you can.  Keep adding your
accomplishments to your "Blow Your Horn" paragraph.  When you
create a new event, tell about it in a press release, including
your "Blow Your Horn" paragraph at the bottom. Send the release
to local media, trade publications, and businesses you might want
to work with.

If you get nothing else from this article, get this: Don't keep
your greatness a secret. YOU ARE GOOD AT SEVERAL THINGS. Tell the
world!