tootvating

Tootvating is a neologism used in online and professional discourse to describe the practice of presenting new ideas, products, or achievements in a way that blends demonstration with strategic self-promotion to gain visibility and legitimacy.

The term is a portmanteau, likely combining "toot" (to trumpet one's own achievements) with "innovate" or "activate." There is no fixed definition, and usage varies by field.

In typical use, tootvating involves sharing milestones, prototypes, metrics, or case studies through multiple channels—blogs, demos, social media, talks—paired with concise narratives about impact or potential.

Reception is mixed: supporters argue it accelerates diffusion of innovations and collaboration; critics warn of hype and trust erosion if claims are unverified.

Origin is informal; the term appears most often in tech and startup circles but has broader applicability. See also self-promotion, marketing, demonstration effect.