Hi everyone,
Why do you subscribe to these emails? I often wonder. After all, I’m not the most talented or well-known web designer, and I don’t say anything that can’t be found elsewhere online. I haven’t invented any world-changing technology or been pivotal in high-profile projects or companies. I’m just some guy.
Decided you don’t know why you read my emails after all? Listen to them instead!
It’s easy to become discouraged if you start thinking along those lines. Thousands of other people can do what I do, but better. Why would anyone hire me? How can I possibly stand out in such a crowded marketplace?
Despite all that, it is possible to stand out even if you don’t have anything particularly new to offer. I have managed to do it, and so can you. So let me share with you the five things I have done—five things you can do too—to build a reputation, work on better projects, and demand a premium for your time:
Have a voice and express your opinion
First of all, have an opinion. I know expressing an opinion online can be scary. People will criticize you, and you may put some people off. That’s okay, though, because you will also attract an audience of people who resonate with what you say.
If criticism freaks you out, talk about your experiences and caveat what you share as being what has worked for you. That way, it’s hard for people to criticize you. It’s only when you talk in terms of absolutes that you tend to draw people’s criticism.
Share unconditionally
Second, don’t hold anything back. Don’t be afraid of giving away your secrets. Some people worry that if they share unconditionally, people won’t hire them but instead do things themselves. However, in the real world, it never works like that.
People either lack confidence or are too busy to do things themselves. There will always be enough people who would prefer your help.
Then, of course, people worry their competition might copy them and yes, they probably will. But again, that is okay because if they do, they will always be one step behind you. If you spend your whole life looking at what other people are doing, you will never stand out.
Commit to the long-term
Probably the biggest secret to standing out from the crowd is perseverance. My favorite quote is that “success is going from failure to failure with no loss of enthusiasm,” and that is true. For example, apparently, Harry Potter was rejected by 12 publishers before being finally accepted.
I built my reputation by consistently podcasting and blogging week in and week out without fail, no matter how I felt or how many people consumed my content.
You can stand out with willpower alone. Few people have the perseverance to keep going, which alone can be enough to succeed.
Build relationships
Then there is the importance of relationships in career success. Nepotism may be seen as a bad thing, but it is the way the world works. People prefer to work with those recommended to them or whom they know and trust.
I always turn first to people I have met via the Boagworld Slack Channel when I am looking for help on projects, and I am not alone.
Take the time to attend events, participate in communities, and build genuine friendships with those in our industry.
Grab every opportunity
Finally, I would be remiss if I didn’t recognize that luck has been a big factor in my success. From the very start of my career, I have stumbled upon opportunities that have given me a head start, not to mention that I am a white, middle-class, heterosexual man!
That said, to some extent, we all make our luck. I only got lucky because I seized the opportunities placed in front of me.
It is easy to dismiss opportunities as unlikely to go anywhere or too intimidating. Equally, it is easy to go through life oblivious to the opportunities presented to us.
So, I would encourage you to seek out opportunities, push every door, and step outside of your comfort zone. Simply being willing to do that makes you stand out from the crowd.
We all suffer from imposter syndrome. The fact that this was the most voted-on topic for me to write about is a testament to that. However, it is important to recognize that our ability to stand out is about more than our skill set. It is about who we are and what we choose to do. Those are the things that really matter.
New from me:
- How AI Is Changing Our Industry: A Zoom Discussion
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