Comments on: To Be or Not to Be a New Media Strategist

By: What Do We Call Ourselves? — Climb to the Stars

What Do We Call Ourselves? — Climb to the Stars — Tue, 09 Jun 2009 09:59:03 +0000

[...] Brand Yourself as a Social Media Expert. It echoes with a piece I wrote earlier this year: To Be or Not to Be a New Media Strategist, in which I (a) explain that I have finally understood that the core of my work is strategy and (b) [...]

By: Experts profile: Stephanie Booth

Experts profile: Stephanie Booth — Mon, 13 Apr 2009 08:56:52 +0000

[...] To Be or Not to Be a New Media Strategist [...]

By: Going Solo » Going Solo Status

Going Solo » Going Solo Status — Sun, 12 Apr 2009 06:03:57 +0000

[...] A few people recently have asked me for news about Going Solo. After a very successful conference (Going Solo) and a no less successful unconference (SoloCamp), I’m now concentrating on stabilising my “normal work“. [...]

By: Coworking Stories: Eclau Founder, Stephanie Booth

Coworking Stories: Eclau Founder, Stephanie Booth — Tue, 07 Apr 2009 20:01:47 +0000

[...] startup CEO, another designer…am I forgetting anybody? Ah, yes, me; I still don’t know what to call myself. And the cat doesn’t do much work apart provide some coworkers with welcome exercise — [...]

By: Stephanie

Stephanie — Thu, 26 Mar 2009 20:57:03 +0000

Ian: yeah, maybe my real problem is that I’m not very good at showcasing my stuff. Maybe I should concentrate on that. And it connects with what Steph says (and I believe, actually) — that portfolio and experience are the most important.

By: Stephanie

Stephanie — Thu, 26 Mar 2009 20:52:12 +0000

Today, without really giving it any thought, I wrote "Online Strategy Consultant" under "occupation" while filling in a form.

At least it avoids the buzzwords. What do you think?

By: Ian David

Ian David — Tue, 24 Mar 2009 16:10:03 +0000

In a landscape where everyone can, and does, call themselves an expert, how does one define and separate oneself from the competition? Well, given that it’s hard to post credentials (case studies, testimonials), one clear way to differentiate yourself is by blogging. It is, after all, the one place where you can truly demonstrate your superior understanding of your subject. Your blog is your knowledge center and the base camp for your expertise. If you have the content then it’s really just a question of getting your “story” out there. Twitter, with its fractured content of conversation, opinions and ideas, is one way of attracting people to your knowledge center. But there are many others. What’s really important is the content your drawing them back too. I suppose my real point is the title means little in comparison to what lies behind it. It’s a bit like calling yourself a photographer. Anyone can call themselves one, but few have enough ability to make a living by it. Social Media Guru, New Media Maven, pick a moniker that feels right. If your content lives up to your claim – and in your case, it does – then, by golly, that’s what you are. Great article. (Loved trying to follow the French)

By: Stephanie

Stephanie — Mon, 23 Mar 2009 10:46:21 +0000

Wow Ric, thanks — it’s very interesting indeed!

By: Ric

Ric — Mon, 23 Mar 2009 10:02:51 +0000

Steph – you might find Des Walsh’s post on his version of your dilemma interesting: http://www.thinkinghomebusiness.com/2009/03/04/more-on-branding-and-communicating-what-we-do/

By: steph

steph — Mon, 23 Mar 2009 01:46:27 +0000

I remember having a similar discussion with Suw My problem is that “strategist” is really broad, and perhaps in terms of personal branding, it may be better to decide what you’re a strategist for. I kept “strategist” in my title for all of two months, and ended up dropping it. Granted, I have the luxury, at the moment I co-founded my own startup and it doesn’t matter what I call myself.

In terms of what I bring to a project is product direction and delivery, therefore in that context I am a product manager — and most of my role is strategic. I’m a practitioner in user experience (a field that’s also struggled with its myriad of job titles and sub-disciplines), so at this point in time, I’m also a user experience designer, and again, most of this role that I play is also strategic.

My point is: try and angle yourself by what you can deliver to a project. A strategy can be a branding strategy, it can be an implementation strategy, it can also be product oriented. You may be able to do all three or more — but what is it that you’re really good at, or that you most enjoy? Instead of encompassing all that you can do, pick your title along the core of what you can deliver; then the rest of what you can do is a bonus to your clients.

A job itle means very little. In the end, it’s your portfolio and experience that speaks for itself.