Confidence is the key to success

A writer I met recently, Nancy Ancowitz, author of Self-Promotion for Introverts, blogs regularly on PsychologyToday.com, and her post Networking Isn't About Using and Getting Used inspired me to share how I went from introvert to extrovert.

This was my comment on her blog:

Though I'm not an introvert, I used to be. Really! I was the shy wallflower who blended into the wallpaper, couldn't speak in public and was barely noticed in a crowd. I had poor self-esteem and zero confidence. But I'm now an extrovert and loving it. 

When I tell people how I used to be, they often laugh and think I'm joking. I didn't set out to "change" myself. It just happened. With one key ingredient. CONFIDENCE. I think once you feel you know what you're doing, even if you have to fake it at first ("Fake it 'til you make it!"), confidence steps in and you learn how much more you're capable of. 

I had no idea the mumbling teen who froze in front of an audience would win a talent show for singing and playing guitar. And that teen had no idea she'd one day stand up and speak in front of hundreds of people three days a week.

As an author, I have great passion in what I do. With passion comes CONFIDENCE. That's the key! Find what you love doing and the confidence will come. I'm also a book marketing coach and I've had the pleasure of working with some "quieter" authors who started off feeling very shaky about their marketing and are now embracing it with confidence.

With regards to networking, Nancy's tips are right on. I believe the key is building relationships, not pushing sales. Relationships will naturally inspire sales. Yes, you can mention new releases if you're an author--and you should. But you don't have to run around Twitter, MySpace and Facebook saying, "Please buy my book. Please buy my book."

Be genuine. Be friendly. Be interested. Be interesting. Be a friend.

Learn, live, love. The sales will follow.

Today I wish everyone all the best in CONFIDENCE.

Cheryl Kaye Tardif,
Bestselling suspense author & book marketing coach
http://www.cherylktardif.com
http://www.shamelessbookpromoter.com