My Reputation Precedes Me

Alec McNayr - Guest Blogger

You likely don’t know who I am, but because you read Ken’s blog and are likely interested in what he thinks, you must trust his choice to have me “guest post” on his site.

But the truth is that Ken and I have never met.  Not in person.  Nor have we emailed extensively.  Or ever talked on the phone.  But I know that we have a lot in common because we’ve both taken part in participatory online marketing.  He has this blog and I have some online videos.  In either case, we created something for public online consumption that can speak for us when we’re not there.  For him, my online persona allowed him to trust me enough to make this post.

And I think that’s important.

The First Steps Are the Hardest Ones, Unless You’re Young
In the fourth grade, I wrote, produced, and starred in a play for my elementary school talent show in Salem, Oregon.  I didn’t know what I was doing, and, looking back, I don’t know why I did it.

That must have been a big deal to my proud parents, so I bet I got plenty of praise, but I’m sure the play itself was terrible.  But you can do things like that when you’re young.   You’re experimenting.  You can put yourself out there with minimal consequences. 

Twenty years later, I’m taking a similar plunge, but the consequences are daunting.  I’m a few weeks away from quitting my full-time job to begin my career as a freelance writer and producer.    I have a mortgage and a wife to care for.  When will the money (and insurance and savings and, eventually, prosperity) come? 

Luckily, I’ve had some great wins lately.  My production company just signed two deals for web shows (and we also have a TV show in the mix).  I say all that not to brag, but to give juxtaposition to where I was just a year ago.

Last year, I would not have had the connections, personal focus, or business strategy to make this move.  I had the dream, but not the path.  What changed?

I discovered the path by first committing to write.  In doing so, I enhanced my public visibility and provided people with a chance to participate in my work.  It put me on their radar.  Some examples:

-    I started a blog before I really had anything to say.  (But now I do.)
-    I filmed a web series for no money before there really was a market for it.  (But now there is, and now I have proven expertise.)
-    I attended mixers and conferences just to meet people in the online video industry. (And now I know people.)
-    I participated on blogs and message boards. (Which led to conversations.)
-    I emailed people who were getting publicity. (They were happy to talk to me.)
-    I got a gig writing about new media for Script Magazine.  (It gave me a legitimate reason to talk to more established people.)

No single event overwhelmingly led to the opportunities I have now, but they, in aggregate, have given me the confidence in my abilities—or even better, others’ confidence in me—to take the risk of following my dreams.

The fourth-grade play was a big deal at the time, but I didn’t stick with it.  I didn’t do a play in fifth grade.  Or sixth.  Or in college.  In fact, it took me twenty years to find the personal courage to step out into what I can only describe as my true life’s work.

First You Go, Then You Know
Perhaps most importantly, however, writing and exposing my authentic thoughts for others to view/judge/comment upon have sharpened my passion for my work.  It moved me.  Where I started and where I am now is vastly different.

I believe that achieving your career, art, purpose, dream job, or whatever you desire starts with making a decision to authentically participate in that world.  You won’t be an expert at first.  But you need to be seen.  To participate.  To attempt something that has a chance at failing (but also succeeding).   To grow.

So, whatever you’re into, get out and live in it.  If it’s marketing, start a blog.  If it’s pottery, search for it on YouTube and post the videos to your MySpace.  If it’s playing the clarinet, get active on an orchestra message board.  Do something that engages you in a community.

Only then will others be able to form an opinion on your work, thoughts, or expertise.  Only then will you be able to get someone to pay you to do it, whatever “it” is.

Comments

[Alec McNayr]

Seth Godin stole my idea! I'm in good company.

Drip, drip, drip goes the Twit
http://snurl.com/25d3q

[Ken Stewart]

Apparently, Seth is a big fan of Chatterbox Marketing...and a hack, stealing ideas that brazenly. :)