In today's digital world, the idea of starting a career as an anon has never been more appealing. Pseudonymity empowers individuals to express their creativity, explore ideas, and pursue interests without the disadvantages of their IRL identity.
This growing trend has given rise to a new generation of developers, content creators, entrepreneurs, and more, who prefer to keep their personal and professional lives separate.
We'll delve into the process, discuss some strategies to get started, and provide valuable insights into what to watch out for as you begin your pseudonymous career!
One of the reasons many embark on a pseudonymous or anonymous journey is for security. The goal for most anons is to have a career where there is little or no linkage to their personal identity, location, or economic status. Instead, they envision a world where the merits of their work can stand on their own.
Security, which can involve a number of encryption and zero-knowledge proof tech, is the foundation for anonymity. Your identity and privacy is fundamental you, and with centralized companies taking advantage of user data on a seemingly daily basis, there is no better time to prioritize security than right now.
A few anons who work at a few privacy-focused crypto projects have put together a list of a few things to help you get started on your anonymous journey.
- A new browser profile
- Proton as the email of choice
- A VPN for security
- And more encrypted tools!
For the complete guide, visit this link!
0xngmi has also put together a much more complete guide here!
Though these are just a few suggestions to get the ball rolling, security is one of the biggest priorities in the anonymous space. Be sure to make sure there are no potential breaches if you want to remain private.
Your anonymous name is how you will represent yourself online, so it's crucial to select a name that not only represents your work but also resonates with your target audience. It’s also fun to go with something that means something important to you. Don’t overthink it, but here are some tips to keep in mind to help you choose the perfect username:
- Relevance: A pseudonym can be relevant to your area of expertise or the type of work you produce. It could be a reference to a famous figure in your field, a play on words that reflects your creative style, or even a concept that captures what you will be working on. Make sure that what you choose sends the right message and aligns with your goals.
- Uniqueness: A distinctive name can help you stand out in the crypto industry. If you can, avoid generic or overused names that might get lost in the crowd. Pick something that is original and easily distinguishable from others!
- Longevity: Your pseudonym should be able to grow and evolve with you as your career progresses. Consider whether the name you choose will still be relevant and appealing as your work evolves, your target audience shifts, or you branch out into new areas of work.
A well-crafted portfolio is essential for pseudonymous professionals to showcase their skills, attract clients, and establish credibility. When building your portfolio, focus on creating high-quality work that demonstrates your expertise and versatility.
Before you begin, clearly define the purpose of your portfolio and identify your target audience. Are you aiming to attract clients or simply showcase your work? Tailor your portfolio to appeal to the specific needs, interests, and preferences of your target audience. A strong portfolio showcases your best work, so avoid subpar projects that don't contribute to your desired image.
Also, don’t forget to regularly review and update your portfolio to ensure it stays fresh and relevant. Remove outdated or less impressive projects, and replace them with recent work that showcases your growth and current skill set. Be sure to ask for feedback from others to help you create a stronger portfolio that effectively showcases your skills and resonates.
There are a number of sites to build an online portfolio. Here are a few to check out:
- Behance: Behance is a popular platform for showcasing and discovering creative work across various disciplines, including graphic design, photography, illustration, and web development. Content creators and developers can create portfolios, collaborate with others, and find inspiration from the global creative community.
- GitHub: GitHub is a leading platform for developers to showcase their coding skills, collaborate on projects, and contribute to open-source software. Developers can create repositories to store their code, manage versions, and track their progress on personal or collaborative projects.
- Carbonmade: Carbonmade is a portfolio website builder designed specifically for creatives, including content creators and developers. Users can create visually appealing, mobile-responsive portfolio websites to showcase their work, attract clients, and build their personal brand.
A strong online presence is critical for you to connect with an audience, showcase work, and build a reputation. Whether it be through a website or Twitter profile, or generating content such as a newsletter or Substack, there are a ton of ways to build rapport amongst future colleagues!
Develop a Strategy
A strategic plan can draw in your target audience, showcase your expertise, and position yourself as a thought leader. Whether it be in the developer space, or content creation, making sure you have a plan to get your work in front of possible employers is key:
- Understand your audience's interests, challenges, and goals
- Select content formats that engage an audience and highlight your skills, such as Twitter, newsletters, blogs, and/or Substack
- Plan and schedule content
Create a Content Hub
Your online profile serves as the central hub for your online presence. It’s important to create an attractive website or social profile that serves as the central hub for your work. Make sure it effectively communicates your identity and showcases your accomplishments, as well as maintaining your own personality!
Use this hub as a way to communicate with followers and other accounts, or showcase some of the work you’ve done! You never know who could be watching.
There is no need to be flashy, and some strategies work for different people. Figure out what works best for the work you are after, and always try to optimize how you appear online to accomplish your goals.
Don’t Be Shy
One of the keys to getting yourself out there is to always be looking for new people and opportunities to get your foot in the door! When your personal identity is removed from the equation, it should be easy to find work online without regrets.
Networking and building relationships with like-minded people, influencers, and clients can help you grow your online presence and reputation. Participate in chats, social media groups, and online events to exchange ideas, share knowledge, and explore collaboration opportunities.
Be sure to provide thoughtful responses to comments on your content and actively engage with your audience.
- Be cautious about sharing personal information that could compromise your anonymity
- Continuously refine your skills and adapt to the ever-evolving job market
- Stay vigilant about potential scams targeting pseudonymous workers and conduct thorough research before engaging with clients or projects
Pursuing a career as an anon offers unparalleled creative freedom, enabling you to explore new ideas and interests without being constrained by your real-life identity. To thrive, prioritize security, develop an impressive portfolio, establish an online presence, and actively engage with the community.
By continuously refining your skills, you can successfully navigate the world of anonymous work and unleash your full potential.