SQLBits 2020

500-Level Guide to Career Internals: Building a Brand

If you want to work for yourself, you need to be able to sell yourself. I know, I hate it too - it feels gross when I write it that way. I'm Brent Ozar. You recognize my name, that's why you wanna learn this from me.

If you want to work for yourself, you need to be able to sell yourself. I know, I hate it too - it feels gross when I write it that way. I'm Brent Ozar. You recognize my name, that's why you wanna learn this from me.

Doesn't that sound terrible? It sounds cocky. Arrogant. American.

But if you're going to sell your services, you're going to have a much easier time if people recognize you by name - and even better, seek you out by name. Just as customers seek out brands like Lego, Adidas, and Coke, you want them to seek you out by name too.

You'll learn my 3-word exercise for building your brand, and then learn how to become known for that brand in our industry without spending any money on advertising. If you use this exercise and then stay true to it in your blog posts, tweets, and presentations, you'll have customers pouring in without having to make a single phone call or email.