How to Sell Yourself Without Feeling Sleazy

When you hear the words "sell yourself," do you instantly picture yourself in a plaid suit being loud and pushy? That's the bad rap of "selling." But, it doesn't need to be that way. You can sell yourself without feeling sleazy. Here's how:

1. Accept your strengths.

You're great. It's time to accept it. Seriously. If you start to accept your strengths, talking about them takes away a large part of the sleaze factor. Remember: You're your best advocate!

2. Track your accomplishments.

You may not be looking for a new job or a promotion or new business right now, but you never know when you might be. Instead of trying to recall all of your accomplishments in one sitting (you're bound to miss a few things!), keep track of every accomplishment as it happens. (It's also great to pull out this list when you're feeling down just as a reminder of how awesome you really are.)

Find a way to track accomplishments that fits you and your lifestyle. It could be a simple notepad you keep in your top drawer, an Excel document, or your favorite iPhone app. The important thing is to know what you've accomplished so you can start selling yourself.

3. Let everyone know how great you are - in a way you're comfortable with.

Before you start picturing that plaid suit coat again, think about how you can sell yourself in a way that you're comfortable with. For small business owners, this might be through well written Web content; for young professionals, this might be through a portfolio showcasing your best work; for job seekers, this might be through a new suit and confident attitude. When it comes to selling yourself, there's no need to overdo it. Small actions - casually mentioning your latest project to your boss or perfecting that elevator pitch about your company - make a big impression.

4. Walk the talk.

One of the best ways to sell yourself is to prove that you're as great you say you are. Once you land the account, the job, or the promotion, it's time walk the talk. Keep playing up your strengths, making improvements, and sharing your accomplishments. Pretty soon it won't feel like selling at all.