I am a geek. I like writing code, I like new toys, I like fast cars, and I like knowing how they work. I take iPhones apart to fix them and to see how they are put together. I am a geek. However, I am also a freelancer and sole proprietor of my little company that does everything from writing articles, to author Pluralsight courses to provide software development consultancy services. How do I find clients, and how do they find me? In part in comes down to my personal brand; the “Lars Klint factor” some might say.
[pullquote]Personal branding is the practice of people marketing themselves and their careers as brands.[/pullquote]
And that is exactly what I do. I market myself in order to open doors and opportunities. Being independent means that I am responsible for both winning the work in the first place, and then delivering it too. Having a strong personal brand means that I don’t have to be constantly fight to persuade people I can do a particular piece of work. It gives me a leg up in a very competitive market.