Recently, a well known video blogger, made famous by his use of sock puppets to try and knock a couple social media stars off their pedestals, got a job producing a video blog on a major tech news site.
Everything I know about him I know from his site and from the various tech blogs that have written about him. And what I know is that he is snarky: very creative, extremely critical… and offers little to guide those he’s attacking.
A friend told me that people that know him say that he is extremely intelligent, gets social media, and is generally a great guy to hang out with.
That got me to wondering: I want to have a career in social media, and to be known for my efforts to help companies engage with their audiences. So what’s the best way to get my name out there? Is all this talk of “personal branding” a reality, or is social media like any other media industry, where he who makes the most noise gets noticed?
The idea of personal brand is big. It takes a quick Google search to figure that out — heck, there are 181 results on ChrisBrogan.com alone. If the basics of the personal brand hold true, then someone known more for vitriol than ideas would have trouble gaining attention.
Then I started thinking about all the great people that I’ve met that have gained momentum in this industry, like Aaron Strout, Laura Fitton, or Bryan Person. Each of these people have used a combination of masterful knowledge, a passion for the technologies of social media, and an earnest desire to make a difference to become who they are in this industry. At no point have they used snark or negativity to gain attention.
I think, regardless of how much you “know” social media, if you have to change who you are — if you can’t use the personality that those closest to you see – to make a name in this industry, your time in social media is going to be short-lived.
If I’m going to follow the path of anybody, it’s going to be people who are working in a positive way to move forward, both for themselves and social media as a whole. I want my work, my personality, and my record of helping others — other people, other companies — stand as the mark that will bring me any prominence I earn.
Gradon, who you are will be what helps people trust you and invest in you, both personally and professionally. I’m really proud of your commitment to positivity and progress.
Interesting post. We turned this concept around and crafted a brand based on a name…a made-up name. We weren’t necessarily the first to do it. Perez Hilton pioneered it in many ways, though our approach is different in that no one “is” Max Gladwell. I think Mario from PH fancies himself as Perez Hilton.
It seems to me that the concept of personal branding is very old. What seems new is the ease of self publication.
Ah, the old chestnut about creating a personal brand v uncovering a personal brand! Pembquist is quite right about personal branding being an ‘oldish’ concept. However, what is new is not just the ease of self publication, but the ease and relevance of search and discovery is what has really changed personal branding. Your brand is now a discussion…
Gradon,
First, thanks for the shout out. You are way too kind.
Second, I totally agree with you that the positive route that Chris Brogan, Doug Haslam, Bryan Person, Laura Fitton aka Pistachio et al have taken is a much better route than attracting negative attention. To that end, while “Mr. Sock Puppet” may have a major video show, who knows how long that will last (he certainly has a lot of people cheering against him now). Also important to note is that “Mr. Sock Puppet” also had a career at Podtech prior to this show so it’s not like he went from a nobody to a somebody JUST because of the puppet videos.
Keep it real and keep up your great work as a fellow positive social media dude (or dudette).
Best,
Aaron | @astrout
Great post, Gradon!
When it comes to social media, nice guys (and gals) always finish FIRST. As for that mysterious sock puppet video blogger, I thought he got the boot yesterday?
I think it’s also worthwhile to point out that Chris Brogan, Laura Fitton, Aaron Strout, Bryan Person, *you*…you’re all local Bostonians. There’s something to be said about the community that exists here. More than any other city, I feel like we “get it” the most.
-Alexa
181? I found more! : )
Here’s the thing about the personal brand schtuff: first, if YOU say it, who cares? It’s what others say about you that matters. Second, if they say it, where did they get their cues? You! (Tricky, eh?)
Madonna is/was/is an amazing study in brand management. She reinvented herself once a year. She pushed to stay relevant. Her goal: absorb new trends, synthesize, repurpose, distribute. And she did it VERY well for several years.
What goes into making a brand is exactly what Madonna worked on so hard. She synthesized lots of ideas, presented them in a new off-kilter way, and repeated her message around her ideas. Repeat. Repeat. Repeat.
Branding with a bow on top.
You, sir, are a great guy. Do great things. Do useful things. Do things people haven’t done the same way just yet, and it will be brandtastic. Besides, if you’re to accept what Brand Obsession Disorder talks about, you might be up the wrong tree.
non - of this is anything new - we just have larger easier more fluid distribution channels. Personally- I am in it for the long haul - I have been working on “social software” & community - before it was “hot”. I believe in the power of these tools for good - I think they are ripping apart the way we have done business and relate and maintain personal relationships - mostly for the good. As we used to say at 6A when these issues first popped u - blogs don’t get people fired, people get people fired.
If you are a mensch is your life - the good follows. I hate snarky for snark - but it sells - short term. If you are in it for ego building alone [let's face it we all have healthy egos if we blog]
Ignore the noise - do the good work - and the rest shall follow.
glad I discovered your blog - and good for you for the fundraiser - see my post after SXSW - we can do more with this stuff.
Per Brogan’s comment - it takes work, a new twist, connecting people and ideas and a balance between ego and helpfulness.
Glad I discovered your blog - and good for you for the fundraiser - see my post after SXSW - we can do more with this stuff. [http://www.deborahschultz.com/deblog/2008/04/snackbyte-serio.html]
this is now officially one of the longest comments i have written in months!