I often notice with newly independent info pros, and I think this applies across our profession, that they identify themselves by their skills instead of their value. This is really self-limiting; by talking about the activities we do rather than why we do them, we downplay our value.
So, for example, how would I describe myself as an info pro? Here's how:
Q: So, Mary Ellen, what do you do?
A: I get to play with information all day! I help my clients make better strategic decisions. How? By bringing them intelligence about the external world into our organization.
--OR--
A: I help local entrepreneurs build their businesses through my public library's outreach program to small businesses.
--OR--
A: I make sure that the senior executives in my agency are kept updated on new technologies that affect our constituents.
Over the last year, I've taken on new clients in areas I hadn't imagined I'd be in. They all found me because I talk about the insights I bring to my clients. That's something any potential client understands and applies to his/her own situation.
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