Kathleen Cutler

Here’s How to Brag Without Seeming Like You’re Bragging

It’s always a good idea to amplify your achievements.

Published

3 years ago

June 12, 2022

Kathleen Cutler Instore June 2022 Issue

WHEN DONE RIGHT, sharing positive recognition can be a powerful way to distinguish your brand from others while building “know-like-trust” among your community. The problem? If done wrong, sharing your wins without proper etiquette can have the opposite effect.

Whether you’ve just won an award, received a glowing testimonial or are simply looking to spruce up your online presence with a little social proof, here’s how to talk about your business and artistic achievements with a high-end touch.

When Receiving a Positive Testimonial

According to Inc.com, 91 percent of shoppers read reviews and testimonials when making important decisions. What’s more, 84 percent trust them as much as word-of-mouth from a friend.

Adding reviews and testimonials to your website, email newsletters, and social media is a smart move that can be especially enticing to new clients and collectors. Getting permission to share testimonials and reviews as you receive them is an absolute must (both for the sake of your reputation for providing client privacy and, in many cases, for legal purposes), but having a high-end system for gathering testimonials in the first place is ideal.

When Winning Awards or Certifications

Gaining recognition from various organizations and press outlets can provide a boost to your reputation and visibility by leveraging the power of their credentials and audience.

Always share news like this from a place of gratitude and with a desire to highlight the good work of whoever is giving you that recognition (rather than what you did or how hard you worked for the opportunity). In many instances, it is wise to ask what can be shared and when. You may even find that assets have already been created for you to make spreading the good news even easier.

When Leveling Up Your Language

While rave reviews and blue ribbons are the most recognizable forms of social proof, they’re not the only ones.

While this psychological phenomenon is most effective when praise for your work is offered by another for all to see, our human nature to look to the behavior of our peers when making decisions is overwhelming. There’s a smart reason so many businesses mention the number of years they’ve been serving their niche audiences, and phrases like “best-selling,” “sold out,” and “wait list” can nudge an undecided browser into being a buyer.

With a little strategy, you can share your successes in a way that boosts your brand, builds your community, and avoids coming across as bragging!

Family Legacy, New Chapter: How Wilkerson Turns 89 Years of History Into Future Success

After 89 years of serving the Albany community, Harold Finkle Your Jeweler faced a pivotal decision. For third-generation owner Justin Finkle, the demanding hours of running a small business were taking precious time away from his young family. "After 23 years, I decided this was the time for me," Finkle explains. But closing a business with nearly nine decades of inventory and customer relationships isn't something easily managed alone. Wilkerson's comprehensive approach transformed this challenging transition into a remarkable success story. Their strategic planning handled everything from advertising and social media to inventory management and staffing — elements that would overwhelm most jewelers attempting to navigate a closing sale independently. The results speak volumes. "Wilkerson gave us three different tiers of potential goals," Finkle notes. "We've reached that third tier, that highest goal already, and we still have two weeks left of the sale." The partnership didn't just meet financial objectives—it exceeded them ahead of schedule.