Self-promotion gets a bum rap in most circles. We're trained at an early age to wait our turn, defer to our superiors and avoid bragging. But in business, those ingrained traits need to be unlearned in order to truly succeed. The meek may inherit the earth, but modesty rarely leads to the billion-dollar exit.
Still, self-promotion is an art form. Do it poorly, and you risk coming across as a narcissistic boor. Do it well, and it can lead to the presidency. Many of the most successful businesspeople, in Silicon Valley and beyond, have risen to the top solely because of their ability to broadcast their personal successes. Here are Wired's choices for the top self-promoters, from the tech industry and beyond.
But don't take our word for it. Cast your votes on the people described below or submit your own nominations for the best self-promoters of all time. And yes, of course you can nominate yourself and recruit your 2,000 best friends to vote for you. We'd expect nothing less of you.
Update: Nominations are now closed. And while you can continue to vote on the nominees below, we've already counted the votes and have announced Wired's top self-promoter of 2008: Tim Ferriss.
Related Wired 2008 Business Trends: Sure, there's bad news out there, what with the panicky Fed and people whispering the R-word. But somehow, the wired world continues to churn out smart, useful, occasionally game-changing ideas. From the rise in instant manufacturing to the growth of open-source business models, these trends show that innovation can bloom even in a grim economic climate. Here's a look at nine trends driving business in 2008 — and a deeper explanation of the surprising secrets to Apple's success. 1: Open Source Tycoons 2: Social Networks Grow Up 3: Green on the Outside 4: Invisible Internet 5: Rise of the Instapreneur 6: Building a Better Banner 7: Invented in China 8: VCs Look for a New Life 9: The Human Touch Geekipedia: Arrington, Michael
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