People becoming bloggers becoming products
Filed Under (Uncategorized) by Nic on 03-07-2007
Tagged Under : Blogs, New Media, people, products, self promotion
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I have started to do it recently as have many more bloggers in SA. I have seen people become bloggers and bloggers become products. The latest of which is Tyler. Tyler has apparently not only branded himself, but is currently RE-branding himself.
Now I have no real problem with this in essence from a person like Tyler because I understand what he is saying. People are brands, companies don’t buy in to a product any more, companies and clients all buy in to people. That means that you are up for sale, you are on the pricing boards every time you open your mouth. This is undeniably true.
My question is this: What have we become when we are selling ourselves openly, blatantly and shamelessly? People have always sold themselves as part of the package but had the tact to hide it. Now I openly say that I am worthy of x or y amount and my time is worth R350, R450 or more per hour. In days gone by you were the product up for sale but the client was not aware of this.
Blogs have, in recent times, played a great part in creating this forwardness if you will. People feel obligated to talk to their community and tell them what is going on, even if that is a trade secret (The secret being YOU). I personally like to keep my trade secrets to myself.
I am interested to see how the bloggers, new media evangelists and entrepreneurs feel about this topic.
Nic
I completely understand where you are coming from and what you are saying. However, for myself, personal branding is not about putting myself up for sale.
In order for me to become a successful entrepreneur I need to brand myself correctly (one of many things that make a successful entrepreneur). Yes, I am following the likes of Richard Branson, Donald Trump and hec even our own Vinny Lingham.
My 2c.
Tyler, I agree with what you are saying. Don’t we all want to be like Branson, Trump and the like. But we aren’t, not yet. So we shouldn’t be marketing ourselves like they are marketing themselves. That is part of my point.
I tried, I thought I had it all and everything would go my way, and it has and it is, but I am no Richard Branson. There is and only ever will be one of him and Trump.
But i agree 100% with you, to be successful you need to brand yourself accordingly. Well said.
I’ve always said that people buy into people and not necessarily the product. I come from pre-blogging days and admire the fact that you all realise your worth and unashamedly flaunt it.
I love this topic!
I think this is exactly what “New Media” is selling. Authors, writers, journalists etc are having to sell themselves, their style and their brand.
Ultimately some will succeed and build big followings while others will fade away into obscurity because they couldnt get and keep their audience.
Good post.