I really struggle building my personal brand and I would always try to put it into words and usually restrict it to learning and self development. But now I get it and feel seen, thank you for sharing Taylor! You were the first person who popped up when I created my Substack a few days ago and so glad for it!
I think you do have a niche, and that is being a generalist.
Just because a generalist does different things doesn't mean you aren't focused.
Your focus is championing being a generalist.
None of the people you mention who have built large personal brands only focus on one topic. They are known for one thing but cover more than one thing.
I love that you are a generalist and celebrate that.
Respectfully, I don’t think I agree, but I appreciate your thoughts. I’m not focused at all, really. I think the “niche” isn’t what I’m doing, but who I am. And I think that applies to most generalists. I wouldn’t even call myself JUST a generalist. I’m a writer, a photographer, and many other things.
Also, all of the people I mentioned DO talk about one topic. They talk about it in a hundred different ways, and that’s the (smart) illusion of it.
Lara Acosta talks only about personal branding, but with various sub-pillars. Dan Koe is the most diverse, but even he is focused around self-development and personal growth.
That is still specialist areas they are mostly known for.
They DO all have one dominating topic.
There are sub-pillars that trickle all the way to one umbrella topic.
They even preach about it themselves.
And this methodology is not ideal for people with portfolio careers.
(In my opinion)
An exception that comes to mind is Luke Matthews, especially when he was starting out. He was more chaotic and unconventional, and that became what he was known for.
What I’m mostly trying to get across is I never want to be known simply for one thing, ever. I want to do and be many things, and to avoid labeling at all costs.
Anyway, I appreciate the note and additional thoughts.
You added a solid new angle/perspective to this newsletter.
I feel so seen by this, wow!! You have perfectly articulated everything I have been feeling for a while now, but couldn’t quite understand myself. I’ve been trying to keep myself in an old box, while also creating and adding new boxes, not quite sure if I leave the old box or tip all of the boxes into one.
But your post has made me realise that actually no matter how messy or disorganised or chaotic it might feel, it’s perfect to have multiple boxes up and running and all times. If it’s a true representation of ourselves and where our interests lie, then perfect!
Feels to me a bit like the difference between a newspaper correspondent vsa columnist. I’ll read the correspondent for whatever it is i’m interested in - say what’s happening in the middle east or finance - but i’ll read a given columnist because i enjoy their style, regardless of the subject matter.
I really struggle building my personal brand and I would always try to put it into words and usually restrict it to learning and self development. But now I get it and feel seen, thank you for sharing Taylor! You were the first person who popped up when I created my Substack a few days ago and so glad for it!
Grateful to you for leaving this comment, and sharing your story. I'm glad it was helpful, Markella. (Beautiful name BTW)
Nice post. Very thoughtful.
I think you do have a niche, and that is being a generalist.
Just because a generalist does different things doesn't mean you aren't focused.
Your focus is championing being a generalist.
None of the people you mention who have built large personal brands only focus on one topic. They are known for one thing but cover more than one thing.
I love that you are a generalist and celebrate that.
Thanks for dropping in.
Respectfully, I don’t think I agree, but I appreciate your thoughts. I’m not focused at all, really. I think the “niche” isn’t what I’m doing, but who I am. And I think that applies to most generalists. I wouldn’t even call myself JUST a generalist. I’m a writer, a photographer, and many other things.
Also, all of the people I mentioned DO talk about one topic. They talk about it in a hundred different ways, and that’s the (smart) illusion of it.
Lara Acosta talks only about personal branding, but with various sub-pillars. Dan Koe is the most diverse, but even he is focused around self-development and personal growth.
That is still specialist areas they are mostly known for.
They DO all have one dominating topic.
There are sub-pillars that trickle all the way to one umbrella topic.
They even preach about it themselves.
And this methodology is not ideal for people with portfolio careers.
(In my opinion)
An exception that comes to mind is Luke Matthews, especially when he was starting out. He was more chaotic and unconventional, and that became what he was known for.
What I’m mostly trying to get across is I never want to be known simply for one thing, ever. I want to do and be many things, and to avoid labeling at all costs.
Anyway, I appreciate the note and additional thoughts.
You added a solid new angle/perspective to this newsletter.
I like that! 'Built with flow'. That's an image that will stick with me.
I feel so seen by this, wow!! You have perfectly articulated everything I have been feeling for a while now, but couldn’t quite understand myself. I’ve been trying to keep myself in an old box, while also creating and adding new boxes, not quite sure if I leave the old box or tip all of the boxes into one.
But your post has made me realise that actually no matter how messy or disorganised or chaotic it might feel, it’s perfect to have multiple boxes up and running and all times. If it’s a true representation of ourselves and where our interests lie, then perfect!
Feels to me a bit like the difference between a newspaper correspondent vsa columnist. I’ll read the correspondent for whatever it is i’m interested in - say what’s happening in the middle east or finance - but i’ll read a given columnist because i enjoy their style, regardless of the subject matter.