Talking about yourself feels weird. Bragging about yourself? Even weirder. But when you’re running a business (especially a personal brand), you need to be your own biggest hype person.

So how do you find the balance between confidently showcasing your skills without giving yourself the ick, or sounding like you’re trying too hard? I’ve got you covered with some practical tips to help you brag about yourself (the right way) and write copy that converts an intrigued audience into ride-or-die brand fans.

1. Start With the Facts

When it comes to bragging about yourself, focus on the facts. Sharing your accomplishments, skills, or experiences doesn’t have to feel self-centered when you’re simply stating the truth. Begin by listing some quantifiable results or big wins that you’ve achieved. Whether it’s “increased client revenue by 30%,” “completed a marathon in under four hours,” or “launched a product that sold out in 48 hours,” facts speak for themselves and don’t feel over-the-top.

If you find yourself hesitating to share these details, remember that your audience wants to know this stuff. They want to work with someone who can back up their claims, so you’re doing them a favor by showing them what you can do.

2. Frame It as Service, Not Self-Praise

When you write about yourself, shift your perspective. Instead of thinking, “I’m bragging about how great I am,” think about how your skills, experiences, or services benefit your audience. For example, instead of saying, “I’m an expert at social media marketing,” reframe it to focus on the reader: “I help creative businesses grow their social media presence by implementing strategies that increase engagement and sales.”

This reframing makes it clear that your expertise isn’t just about you—it’s about what you can do for them. You’re not bragging, you’re showcasing how your skills solve problems for your clients.

3. Use Testimonials to Do the Heavy Lifting

Want to brag about yourself without actually bragging? Let your clients and customers do it for you. Testimonials are a suuuuper helpful tool because they allow your clients to validate your skills in a way that feels natural and authentic.

When you feature testimonials, you’re letting someone else shout your praises from the rooftops. Their words carry weight because they’re coming from a place of genuine appreciation.

4. Infuse Your Personality

When done right, your personality can make self-promotion feel a lot less like bragging and a lot more like having a casual conversation with a friend. Embrace your quirks, humor, and tone of voice—whether you’re a bit sassy, witty, or more down-to-earth, that’s what will create a genuine connection between you and your ideal customer.

For example, if you’re a health coach who’s known for being straightforward, you might say: “Obviously I’m here to help you become the best version of yourself, but we’re going to do it in a way that feels right for you– no 5:00 AM wake-ups required and sweet treats always encouraged.” This type of writing not only connects you to your audience on a personal level, but also makes the self-promotion feel like a natural extension of who you are.

If you’ve ever gotten the ick from something you’ve written before, it’s likely because it didn’t feel true to your voice. When you lean into authenticity, self-promotion feels less like a sales pitch and more like sharing exciting news with a friend.

5. Balance Confidence with Humility

Bragging doesn’t mean you have to abandon humility. Striking the right balance between confidence and humility is kind of the whole point here. For example, instead of saying, “I’m the best web designer you’ll ever meet,” you might say, “I’ve been lucky enough to work with some amazing clients, and I’m so proud of the cool websites we’ve gotten to create together.”

Acknowledging the role that clients, collaborators, or even luck has played in your success shows humility, while still giving you the chance to confidently share your accomplishments. It’s less about putting yourself on a pedestal, and more about recognizing your value within a broader context.

6. Find Your Signature Brag

One way to get more comfortable with self-promotion is to develop a “signature brag”—something that highlights your unique strength in a fun or memorable way. Maybe you’re known for turning complex projects into simple, actionable steps, or maybe you can transform bland branding into something no one’s ever seen before.

When you have a go-to brag that you feel good about, it’s easier to promote yourself without feeling awkward. For example, you might say: “As a hairstylist, I’ll never let a client leave to salon until they’re fully confident in their look. Even if it means a few extra hours in the chair or trying something I’ve never done before, I’m down for whatever it takes to get you a look that you’re obsessed with.” This type of self-promotion feels playful and effortless, but still communicates your unique value.

7. You’re the Solution, Not the Star

At the end of the day, effective self-promotion comes down to positioning yourself as the solution to your audience’s problem—not the star of your own show. It’s all about what they need, and how you can deliver. When you approach your copy this way, bragging feels less like tooting your own horn and more like a necessary step in showing your audience why you’re the right person to help them.

Think of it this way: if you were hiring someone to help you with a major project, you’d want to know their qualifications, right? You wouldn’t think they were bragging—you’d appreciate that they’re giving you the information you need to make the best choice. That’s exactly what you’re doing for your audience.

Bragging about yourself might feel uncomfortable at first, but it’s necessary if you want to connect with your audience, build trust, and grow your business. By focusing on facts, reframing your bragging as service, and infusing your personality, you can promote yourself with confidence—and without the ick. So go ahead, give yourself permission to brag a little (or a lot). You deserve it.

And if you’re still struggling to find the words? You know who to call. I’ll help you romanticize the sh*t out of your brand, and make sure your moment is the moment.

Need help finding the right words? Let’s work together.