Self-promotion is hard for most dancers. In fact, it can feel downright cringe-worthy. But if you want to take your dance career to the next level and build your audience along the way, then it's a must. How can get comfortable with it? As a leading dance costume company, Just for Kix has the answers you're looking for. We understand that you'd rather spend your days in the studio and on the stage rather than self-promote. But not promoting your abilities and achievements could mean you miss out on opportunities in the future. You're already a dancer. Now it's time to become your biggest cheerleader. Here's how:

Change your perspective.

Promoting yourself doesn't have to be something you fear and dread, or that feels wrong. If it is, then you have to change the way you think about it. Don't look at self-promotion as bragging. Instead, think of it as a way to show people what you can do and the value you can offer. You're not self-promoting in order to boast; you're self-promoting because you want to share your dance skills and artistry with the world. And the more people who know about what you do, the bigger audiences and more opportunities you'll have.

Be real.

You have a new mindset and are ready to share your dancing with the world. Just make sure when you do that you're authentic. Trying to project an image of perfection rings hollow and phony to many people. And putting too much information out there is a turn off.

Instead, to ensure you're authentic, think about your core message. What do you want to be known for? What are your strengths and key skills? Also, stay true to your personality. Are you clever and witty? Are you more philosophical? Do you love talking dance technique? Whatever the case for you, just make sure your messages reflect who you are as a dancer and as a person. That way, they'll have a much better chance of resonating with your audience.

Get used to it.

When you're first promoting yourself, it's going to feel uncomfortable for a while. Most dancers don't like putting themselves out there in that way. They'd rather be seen on the stage. But once you start doing it -- and keep at it -- it will become easier and feel more natural.

Know your target audience.

Different avenues for self-promotion reach different audiences. So before you make a move and launch a big self-promotion effort, make sure that you know who your target audience is and the best way to communicate with them. That way, you can invest your self-promotion time into efforts that will help you reach your goals. For instance, if you're targeting adults, then a website and Facebook page are effective tools. However, for younger audiences, add Instagram to the list.

Always be professional.

Whatever you put out there about yourself, always be professional. Remember, you're trying to promote yourself as a dancer, not get into a Twitter war with someone you disagree with. Your audience also doesn't need to know about that fight with your boyfriend, or about the person who annoyed you in the grocery store line. Instead, keep what communicate -- whether on your website, social media or through the press -- focused on what you love: dance.

Now that you know the "why" and "how" behind positive self-promotion, the question is: "where" do you promote yourself? Here are a few different vehicles to help you get the word out and build your audience:

• A website. Having a personal website is a great way to communicate what you do, your skill level and dance style, and upcoming shows you're in. You can also create a blog on it, as well as post photos and videos of your work. This will give your audience a flavor for what to expect when they come to watch you perform. These can also be easily shared on social media. Also, don't forget to include your contact information as well, so you're easily accessible for any new opportunities that come up.
• Social media. Speaking of social media, you should pick a few channels, like Facebook and Twitter, and post to them regularly. Make sure you're also building your audience on social media by asking your friends and family to share your posts. In terms of what you post, just remember not to over-share and also to focus more on visuals. In fact, according to research, people remember about 20% of what they read and 80% of what they see.
• A YouTube channel. While YouTube is a form of social media, what's unique about it is that you can create your own channel. There, you can post videos of performances, as well as tutorials for fellow dancers, including those just starting out. Overall, it's a great way to showcase your expertise and personality.
• Teach a class. If you're an experienced dancer, then teaching a class can help you to increase your exposure, as well as give back to the dance community. You can share your expertise and gain some loyal fans along the way.
• Articles. Love to write on top of dancing? Then pitch and submit articles to dance and arts-related publications. You can not only earn some extra money, but also position yourself as a dance expert and grow your audience in the process.

As a leading discount dancer supplier, Just for Kix knows when you know who you are as a dancer -- and the value you can offer -- you can promote yourself without guilt. Just follow the tips above to get the word out about all you're doing in your dance career.