Sell yourself, sell your work (solipsys.co.uk)

Article summary

The article emphasizes the importance of self-promotion and selling one's work, especially for technically talented individuals. It highlights that doing great work is not enough, and one needs to make it known to the world to benefit from it. The article cites Richard W. Hamming's talk, where he stresses the need to present one's work in a way that others will take notice. This includes writing clearly and concisely, and being able to give formal and informal talks.

Main themes

• Self-promotion
• Technical talent
• Communication skills
• Career advancement
• Personal projects
• Marketing and sales

What commenters say

• Some people believe that self-promotion is essential for career advancement, but others see it as a negative aspect of corporate culture.
• The importance of communication skills, such as writing and public speaking, is emphasized as crucial for success in technical fields.
• There is a debate about whether the ability to self-promote should be a requirement for technical professionals, with some arguing it is unfair to expect this skill from introverted individuals.
• Some commenters argue that the focus on self-promotion can lead to a culture of superficiality, where the quality of work is secondary to one's ability to market it.
• Others suggest that self-promotion is not necessary for personal satisfaction, and that doing great work for its own sake is enough.
• The rise of automation and AI may make skills like problem-solving, communication, and sales more valuable for software engineers than traditional coding skills.
• Some people believe that creating and sharing content, even if it doesn't receive immediate recognition, can still be beneficial for personal growth and future opportunities.
• There is a tension between the idea that one should share their work with the world and the idea that it's okay to create something without feeling obligated to share it with others.