This is the second of a 2 part guest blog by Joe Reevy about his portfolio career. Read part 1: https://www.inspiringportfoliocareers.com/joe-reevys-portfolio-career-part-1/
How do you approach marketing your portfolio career?
I don’t. I have never sought work or asked for a promotion or pay rise. However, in the early days I did a lot of public speaking, which works really well… if you have done anything long enough at a senior enough level to have a good bank of stories to tell. Now I am super connected on LinkedIn…but I haven’t said yes to anything in quite a long time.
What if any, is the personal brand used for your portfolio career?
Just little old me. My style is intentionally confrontational when I do talks etc. If 10% of the room think I am a jackass/crazy I don’t care, as long as a bigger percentage think I am fab/challenging. I’ll join the debate with anyone. Your biggest enemy is being anodyne.
What advice would you give to someone considering a portfolio career?
Don’t. Join a really big business or government, get to the top, mess it up and then take the tons of lolly they give you for failure – then do something fun. OR…get a REAL and believable CV to prove expertise, get in front of a lot of people and make friends. Helping others is the best way to do that in business (and life).
What benefits do portfolio careers bring specifically to women and mothers, rather than to men?
I don’t know, I’m a man… although the flexibility re time is a boon and would be especially so for those with young children.
What 5 tips can you share for people considering a portfolio career?
- Be damned good at something
- Listen and listen some more
- Be super organised
- You’ll catch a lot more bees with honey than salt. Kindness and generosity beget kindness and generosity.
- Learn to speak your client’s language (all industries have them… read their press etc).
PS
Always take a little time to remember everything you have to be grateful for and to marvel at the wonders of nature. Slow is better.
If you are asked to give a talk, practice it in real time at least 4 times.
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View Joe Reevy’s LinkedIn profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joereevy/
Interested in creating a portfolio career for yourself? Contact Rachel Brushfield for a confidential chat: https://www.energiselegal.com/contact-us/get-in-touch/