Last Friday, I landed my first TV spot on CNBC's show "On the Money" with Carmen Wong Ulrich. Here's the clip. Skip to minute 5:20:
For a little back story, in my "On the Money" segment, we go back to 1998-2001 during the last tech boom and how I found myself on a 3-month medical leave from my "fabulous" startup-that-went-IPO job. {I use the quotes because that job should have been fabulous but was not on many levels because well as Dr. Phil would ask, "How'd that work out for you?" Um, I ended up sick.}
If you're curious, here's what happened the day I quit that job. Here's how many people thought I was a moron for leaving all that money behind and my moment of clear decison making despite being partly insane, and here's one of the first things I did to get my health back.
Yikes! Digital cameras didn't exist back in 2000
The funny part was that the CNBC Producer wanted some pics from 98-01, and I couldn't find any on my computer because well, mainstream digital cameras didn't exist back then. Yeah, freaky realization as that was only 8 years ago. I had to call friends from that era and ask them to dig in their shoeboxes of photos. Then I had to scan. Oy vay!
The benefits of the art of self promotion
When we got to the part about how I'm now one of the top healthy living bloggers in the world, saying the "...in the world" part was a tough thing for me to say even though it is true and I can prove it because unafraid self promotion is not one of my strong suits as it is for many women.
Self promotion is an area where men have an edge over women in the workplace because men are more likely and more agressive about self pumping. Need a fast example, look for any male "WTF's" in top positions at your company. One probably popped into your head immediately. Those guys are not necesarily the smartest or the best, but they were the most proactive in letting the bosses know what they did and accomplished.
Are you rah-rahing for yourself?
So here's the thing, and this is how I got over my modesty, if we want to get paid what we're worth financially and move ahead professionally like I stated in my 2009 NY's resolution, then self promotion is part of that package. Modesty is not helping you. In fact, here's a recent Wall Street Journal article on how young women are more vulnerable to getting laid off in this economy mainly because they aren't doing enough self promoting. Yes, there is not being arrogant but really, there is a difference between self confidence and arrogance.
Oprah and Martha didn't get where they are today without self promoting, and anyone who is at the top of their game self promotes. You have to be your own best cheerleader, and I'm learning from that. So, the CNBC spot was one of my first homework assignments in stepping up to the plate. I also promoted my clip on my Twitter, Facebook, the Skinny Debt Dieters Group at Wesabe, and Linked-In pages.
You too can be on TV
Over at The Everyday Blogger, I share how I got this CNBC spot for those of you who are working towards building your own online brand and influence. And guess what, you too have a chance to apply and get picked to be on CNBC's "On the Money" as well. Oh yes!
Thank you to everyone who has given well wishes. It means a lot to me. The best compliments were, "You deserve this. You worked hard to get here." And ya know what everyone, if I can do it, so can you. Seriously!
