For many seasoned office holders, grandstanding often seems to be second nature; so much, in fact, that the image of the camera-hungry politician has become an accepted stereotype.

New candidates who have never before run for elected office, however, are often turned off by the self-promotion that is a vital necessity in political campaigning.  We’ve been taught that it just isn’t right to constantly blow your own horn, and rightly so.

So how exactly does a modest person mount a successful run for office without feeling they’ve compromised their integrity?  Is there a way to promote your electable qualities to the voters without feeling like you’re showboating?

Absolutely, and there are plenty of examples of successful politicians who have remained true to their unpretentious natures while on the campaign trail.  Remember, it isn’t necessary to swagger and gloat when presenting your qualifications to voters, but it is necessary to market yourself effectively.

The first step in successfully marketing your campaign is becoming comfortable with telling voters why you’re the best candidate for the job.

You’re likely running for office because you feel you’re the right person to help your community and your constituents. Most voters won’t have the time or inclination to deduce this by researching your past and your achievements; it’s your job as a candidate to present those pertinent facts to them.

Does that mean you need to embellish the facts, inflate your resume and come across as a pretentious braggart?  Not at all.  But it does mean that you have a responsibility to educate the voters and outline the qualities that make you an intelligent choice.

Shying away from self-promotion and omitting admirable achievements from your campaign message might make you feel less like a windbag, but it’s really doing a disservice to the voters. They want–and deserve– to know pertinent information about a candidate so they can make an educated decision.

One last important thing to keep in mind when it comes to self-promotion in political campaigns: you might be squeamish about promoting your resume to the voters, but your opponent certainly won’t hesitate to promote his.

Telling the voters why you’re the superior choice isn’t just smart campaigning–it’s also your duty as an ethical candidate.  Just don’t get carried away.

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