Specialization & Personal Branding

While it's quite natural for people to be not sure about what they want to do in life and career, at different stages in their lives, it's important to specialize in some areas.

Take me, for example. There were different points in my career when I wasn't sure whether I wanted to be an entrepreneur, a journalist, an ICT concept developer, a consultant, etc... There so many different things that interested me. But I always kept my writing skills sharp and I kept up with news on ICT and politics. Those were my core.

So, you could say my specializations were i) writing skills ii) knowledge and understanding of ICT and politics.

Right now, I'm back in journalism and doing New Media stuff at The Edge. It's the right thing for me to do at this point in my life. Will I still be doing this three years from now? Not sure. But one thing's for sure, I will still be good at writing and I'll still have a sound understanding of ICT and politics. They are my core and will stand me in good stead whatever I do.

So, you should identify your core. Everybody should. Find out what it is you are naturally good at. It could be writing and ICT/political knowledge (like me) or it could be something else. What's important is that you are able to really good at it.

In the context of Malaysia, which is a small pond, you have to be a big fish. Otherwise, you are mediocre like most people are. So, aim to be the best - or at least amongst the best - in your area of specialization. Anything less would be selling yourself short.

Next up is personal branding. As a minimum, have a Facebook Page, a Twitter account and a blog. Later, you can have podcasts, videocasts and other means to promote your personal brand.

Be strategic about it. You can have fun with your Facebook, Twitter and blog but don't make it too whimsical or self-indulgent. Publish things that will give value to your fans/followers/readers. This will help to build your personal brand.

You can and should do offline things too like publish a book (yes, a physical book) and give talks (you have to build yourself up to the point that people invite you for talks). You must be unabashed and shamelessly plug yourself.

Lastly, don't be a Chinaman and stinge on investing in yourself. If you need to spend money to buy books or software or to take courses and lessons to further your knowledge or improve your personal branding, do it. It's money well spent.

Comments

[Fione Tan]

Good one!

Rather than becoming a "supermarket" person who tries to sell all skills, specialize in one and become the best it is. It's been years since we met and one day we should meet again for lunch !

Niche branding and marketing is the way.

I totally agree on upgrading our "wares" / skills as how you stated in the last para. Once we stop learning, we start to fall.

Here's to a great journey of discovering more opportunities in our careers

Regards
Fione Tan
http://www.eOneNet.com