Chapter 1: The Dilemma of Personal Branding

Have you ever found yourself frustrated by the question, "What is your brand?" I used to think it represented everything that was wrong with our society. While I still largely feel this way, my perspective has shifted slightly.

Excellence seems to find its own path. The journey may be winding, but I have faith it will eventually lead to a clear destination. This mindset, combined with my introverted nature, has made me somewhat resentful of those who effortlessly promote themselves. I recognize that my disdain often comes from envy, wishing I possessed their confidence.

As I navigate adulthood, I've realized that unlearning childhood lessons can be one of the toughest challenges. In school, collaborating with others was labeled as cheating, but in the adult world, it's a valued skill. Similarly, as a child, seeking attention was seen as showing off, whereas as an adult, it has morphed into being an influencer.

My upbringing taught me to remain humble and to seek internal fulfillment over external validation. While these values are noble, they often feel inadequate in a world driven by attention—the most lucrative commodity today.

Recently, a post on Substack resonated with me, stating, "Writing without marketing is like keeping a journal only you read." This struck a chord, hitting me squarely in the mind. The post posed a thought-provoking question: "What types of readers do you wish to attract?" I found this inquiry refreshing, as it flips the tiresome "What is your brand?" on its head.

This question prompted me to reflect on the kind of readers I desire. I envision an audience that is quirky, intelligent, and possesses a sense of humor. (Not that I'm fishing for subscribers... but did it work?). These are the unique individuals who thrive on curiosity and have a delightful sense of foolishness.

For example, I recently changed my boarding point on the subway and noticed a greater number of people disembarking at a particular station. This fortunate switch allowed me to secure a prime seat, significantly improving my subway experience. I once loathed the New York subway, but now I find it bearable. That shift from hatred to tolerance is progress in my book.

This experience made me ponder why that station attracts more passengers, especially from the last carriage. What patterns exist? If you share this inquisitive mindset, you resonate with my ideal reader.

The question about the type of readers I want to engage with helped me reconsider my aversion to the term "marketing." Although I still dislike the phrase "What is your brand?", I prefer to reframe it as "Show me who you are and let me assess my interest."

So, I ask you: what matters to you, and what drives your writing?

In this TEDx talk by Kent Noble, he explores the essence of branding and the importance of authenticity in self-presentation.

The second video features Lynyrd Skynyrd's "Don't Ask Me No Questions," capturing the spirit of questioning and self-reflection, akin to our discussion on branding.