Without a Spotlight: 10 Unconventional Ways to Develop a Personal Brand in Tech

Building a prominent personal brand within the technology industry is a well researched concept, often discussed in articles, podcasts and videos. Traditionally, professionals gain recognition through public speaking and publishing articles. This article explores alternative approaches for tech enthusiasts who may find these conventional methods intimidating, and presents strategies for building a professional reputation without stepping into the spotlight.

Why Venture into the Public Eye

While the desire for public recognition, professional acknowledgement or career advancement may drive the pursuit of a personal brand, the core lies in professional development. When a professional prepares an article or public talk, he or she should

• Analyse activities
• Structuring experience and knowledge
• Familiarise themselves with industry techniques and practices
• Add new approaches to their knowledge
• Seek advice from colleagues
• Look for additional arguments to support their point of view.

While these are important activities, what can a technical professional do if they are unsure of their abilities or are reluctant to speak in public?

Strategies Beyond Public Exposure

Over time, I’ve gathered strategies to develop a personal brand without relying on public exposure:

1. Participating in Brainstorming Sessions for Colleague Talks

Many developers want to speak at conferences, but struggle to find a compelling topic. To overcome this, I recommend organising brainstorming sessions with potential speakers, their managers, colleagues and community activists. This not only helps people hone their expertise, but also contributes to the community by demonstrating your commitment and involvement in the industry’s progress.

2. Reviewing Colleague Talks

I firmly believe that a good presentation cannot be created in isolation. So once a topic has been identified and formulated, the preparation of the presentation begins. Taking part in collaborative talk preparation, involving up to five rehearsals, improves critical thinking, feedback skills and anticipation of audience reactions. This not only supports colleagues, but also contributes to your own professional development.

3. Curating News Digests

Staying on top of industry changes is essential in the dynamic world of technology. Compiling and sharing news digests on language releases, tool deprecations and relevant updates establishes you as an industry expert and reinforces your position as a go-to resource.

4. Assisting in Article Preparation

Supporting colleagues in their writing endeavors by helping them choose topics, structure their thoughts and proofread their work not only makes their publication journey easier, but also deepens your understanding of the subject.

Extra Ideas for Personal Brand Development

• Contribute to open-source projects
• Start mentoring young talents, here are 4 ways it benefits you personally and professionally
• Contribute to competency Matrix development
• Maintain a personal GitHub page
• Conduct tech interviews, review tests, etc.
• Engage in professional discussions through comments.

Finally, the analogy of the woodcutter’s dilemma serves as a reminder: “No time to sharpen the ax, must keep chopping”. Sharpening skills, demonstrating expertise and structuring knowledge is the equivalent of “sharpening the ax”.

If you have any ideas or additional insights, please share them in the comments. Your contribution could be valuable to many.