I find it deeply concerning that many people are willing to turn themselves into a commodity for the purpose of participating in an economic system. A form of it seems to happen within social media. Didn't Groucho Marx say that he refused to be a member of any club that would have him? We need more Groucho attitude!
This is such a great post, Rosana. In my newly found hobby as a standup comedian, I find that even if I despised putting myself out there with videos and flyers, it is the only way to get noticed by producers and to get invited to perform. It's all a new territory to me and I'm struggling with it. You are right, we are so much more than that video or brand that we put out there. Thank you for sharing this.
Thanks, Antonio! It's a conundrum. Many of us have to promote ourselves in our work (and I consider standup part of your work, not just a hobby!) but don't always enjoy it. I've gotten much more okay with promoting myself, but I still hate the idea of personal branding. I am not a product!
The "brand" is a hot topic here how Substack right now and receiving much pushback by writers here. and rightly so. Thanks to you, Flower Child for this post….we are indeed individuals!
Good post, as always. It’s one thing to put yourself out there and promote what you offer authentically (as you say). But this vacuous self-promotion for the sake of self-promotion is like some kind narcotic for people who don’t see it for what it is. There’s someone who can not be named who’s whole deal since the beginning was all about their “brand” and the appearance of power and influence (without the responsibility of either) and looks where that’s landed us.
I think a lot of having a personal brand is also about “the hustle” or “the grind”. Not enough people do things simply because they enjoy them or are good at them anymore. It’s alllllll marketing to make a buck. Now I’m not saying people shouldn’t get paid for their art or anything like that but people have become obsessed with marketing themselves. Like you said, social media fueled the self brand and now it’s like a fire that’s burning out of control. Most “influencers” offer literally nothing but are good at marketing and tricking people into believing their offering quality content. And let’s face it, marketing itself is a trick in my opinion.
Yes, definitely the hustle and grind! Not my favorite things. I have mixed feelings about marketing — in my day job, I do some of that, but it's promoting clean energy so I can feel good about it! Unlike "influencers," who mostly, as you rightly note, offer nothing! They existed before social media in self-help circles, but it's much worse now. (Not that I think all self-help is bad, but I have a lot of thoughts about that too, lol!) Thanks for reading and commenting!
I know what you mean! Self help books are god if you read them once, and they offer enough to help. Not if you have to keep buying more and more self help books! 🤣
I find it deeply concerning that many people are willing to turn themselves into a commodity for the purpose of participating in an economic system. A form of it seems to happen within social media. Didn't Groucho Marx say that he refused to be a member of any club that would have him? We need more Groucho attitude!
Ha! Groucho's comment is more about self-loathing; we don't have to go that far to loathe the idea of personal branding. I will not be a commodity!
This is such a great post, Rosana. In my newly found hobby as a standup comedian, I find that even if I despised putting myself out there with videos and flyers, it is the only way to get noticed by producers and to get invited to perform. It's all a new territory to me and I'm struggling with it. You are right, we are so much more than that video or brand that we put out there. Thank you for sharing this.
Thanks, Antonio! It's a conundrum. Many of us have to promote ourselves in our work (and I consider standup part of your work, not just a hobby!) but don't always enjoy it. I've gotten much more okay with promoting myself, but I still hate the idea of personal branding. I am not a product!
Jose Antonio: Perhaps you can try some comedy about it. I bet it would resonate!
Good Idea! I'll see what I can come up with. Thank you!
The "brand" is a hot topic here how Substack right now and receiving much pushback by writers here. and rightly so. Thanks to you, Flower Child for this post….we are indeed individuals!
Thank you! We non-branders need to stick together! ;-)
Good post, as always. It’s one thing to put yourself out there and promote what you offer authentically (as you say). But this vacuous self-promotion for the sake of self-promotion is like some kind narcotic for people who don’t see it for what it is. There’s someone who can not be named who’s whole deal since the beginning was all about their “brand” and the appearance of power and influence (without the responsibility of either) and looks where that’s landed us.
Good point!! Thanks again for reading and commenting, I truly appreciate it, and it's great to connect this way!
"Non-branders are the best writers"
I will get a banner made pronto!
Look forward to that!!
I think a lot of having a personal brand is also about “the hustle” or “the grind”. Not enough people do things simply because they enjoy them or are good at them anymore. It’s alllllll marketing to make a buck. Now I’m not saying people shouldn’t get paid for their art or anything like that but people have become obsessed with marketing themselves. Like you said, social media fueled the self brand and now it’s like a fire that’s burning out of control. Most “influencers” offer literally nothing but are good at marketing and tricking people into believing their offering quality content. And let’s face it, marketing itself is a trick in my opinion.
Yes, definitely the hustle and grind! Not my favorite things. I have mixed feelings about marketing — in my day job, I do some of that, but it's promoting clean energy so I can feel good about it! Unlike "influencers," who mostly, as you rightly note, offer nothing! They existed before social media in self-help circles, but it's much worse now. (Not that I think all self-help is bad, but I have a lot of thoughts about that too, lol!) Thanks for reading and commenting!
I know what you mean! Self help books are god if you read them once, and they offer enough to help. Not if you have to keep buying more and more self help books! 🤣
It's a HUGE business!