The Case For Becoming Known

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During the spring of 2022, I decided it was time for me to look for my next job opportunity. While I had learned a lot at the startup I had been working at, I decided that it was time for me to pursue my interests in blockchain full-time.

Around the same time, a colleague of mine, Jake¹ , was also pursuing his next role in blockchain. Deciding that it would be helpful to compare job search notes, I reached out to him to ask about his strategies for finding the right company and role. I was curious about the job board websites and connections he used to get started in the field before me.

I was stunned.

Here I was spending hours each day perfecting my resume, submitting lengthy job applications, and messaging people on LinkedIn, while my colleague sat back and let the job offers roll in.

While we were both just as competent and hardworking, Jake had something I didn’t have: a digital brand and an audience.

A couple of months earlier, Jake had started publishing Twitter threads, breaking down the findings of his NFT research. Since he had a passion for blue-chip NFT collections, he figured why not share the research he had been doing on collections like Bored Ape Yacht Club and Moonbirds with the world.

After months of consistently posting with little traction, one of his posts finally went viral. As a result, he gained thousands of Twitter followers and received countless direct messages from founders in the space who were interested in working with him.

As he conducted and published more research, his following grew, and he became better known as one of the go-to guys for NFTs.

Instead of having to go through the traditional avenues to land his next role, Jake had built for himself a reputation in the space that allowed him his pick of job offers.

He was no longer competing for jobs and begging employers to give him a chance. Suddenly, he was the one whom employers were clamoring to work with.

The traditional power dynamics had been reversed.

Meanwhile, while I had also done a lot of research into the blockchain space, I hadn’t shared any of my research online. I had not created any content to establish myself as an authority in my field and thus had to rely on traditional methods to find my next role.

Unlike Jake, my direct messages were empty, and I had to put in a lot of work just to get a potential employer to take a look at me. Even though I knew I was competent, nobody else did. I had to prove myself to prospective employers, and that meant jumping through many hoops to do so.

In 2023, gone are the days in which we have to go through the same, lengthy processes to get our next career opportunities. While 20 or 30 years ago, a job applicant had to complete a job application and go through a series of interviews to land their next role, nowadays it has become easier than ever to access opportunities by establishing oneself as an expert in their field.

The digital age has made it possible for anyone to become recognized for their work, regardless of their location or age.

Building a digital brand and creating content is accessible to anyone, allowing them to gain more exposure for their work. The options for content creation are endless: online writing, short-form video, long-form video, Twitter threads, Pinterest boards, and LinkedIn posts.

The opportunities are also unlimited. With a digital brand, you can not only get new job opportunities, but also brand partnerships, sponsorships, and speaking gigs that provide new income streams.

If you run a product or service-based business, the exposure you gain through a digital brand can translate into more customers and revenue, without having to spend any dollars on marketing or advertising.

In today's world, there is a permanent advantage to becoming known in a certain field. Those who have a reputation get the customers, better jobs, and invitations to exclusive opportunities.

While being known doesn’t necessarily mean being famous, it does mean having the proper authority, reputation, and audience to realize your potential and achieve your goals.

Building a personal brand is not just about getting a job or earning money. It's also about creating a legacy and making a difference in the world. By sharing your knowledge and expertise, you can help others and make a positive impact on their lives.

How do you provide value to others?

Do you make them feel better through your music or stand-up comedy? Do you entertain them through your storytelling?

Do you help them solve problems? Do you educate them on topics like personal finance or social media marketing?

Maybe you help them improve their appearance with your nutrition or health advice. Maybe your years of research into the best skincare and beauty products can help others make better-informed decisions about their own beauty regimens.

While I could provide an in-depth guide on how to begin building your personal brand, there are already plenty of resources available that delve into this topic in great detail. For example, Mark W. Schaefer's book, Known: The Handbook for Building and Unleashing Your Personal Brand in the Digital Age, is an excellent resource. Alternatively, a quick Google search will lead to thousands of articles written specifically about this topic.

Ultimately, what I’m arguing here is that building a personal brand is an investment in your future. It takes time, effort, consistency, and dedication, and the results are often not immediately apparent.

However, the long-term benefits are undeniable.

By becoming known in your field, you can unlock new opportunities and achieve the success you deserve. With a digital brand, you can finally build your career on your own terms. Instead of knocking on doors and begging for a chance to be seen, you can put yourself in a position where the opportunities come to you.

Where you can choose what you want to work on, and the life you want to build for yourself.

For me, this newsletter is a way to build that life. While I still have a long way to go, I'm excited to see where this journey takes me.

So, in closing, I'd like to ask: what are you doing to build your digital brand? How are you sharing your knowledge and expertise with the world?

I'm genuinely curious, so feel free to hit reply and let me know what you're working on.

Until next time,

Sabrina

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🌊 Dive Deeper

1. If you haven’t read it, I highly recommend Mark W. Schaefer’s book Known: The handbook for building and unleashing your personal brand in the digital age. It’s great for anyone looking for a step-by-step guide on how to build their personal brand.

2. My friend, Emily, is an excellent writer who has a valuable newsletter with lots of life insights.

3. Manish Gvalani is a great investor with a weekly newsletter diving into the Psychology of Investing. Each week, I look forward to reading what he has to share on both financial and personal wealth.

^{1 His name isn’t actually Jake, but I changed it here to respect his privacy.}