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In his talk "Kill Your Inner Code Monkey" at the Keep Ruby Weird 2015 conference, Patrick McKenzie addresses the common challenges developers face in advocating for their value within the workforce. He encourages coding professionals to rethink their identity as 'Code Monkeys'—a term he uses to describe the frustrating mindset of many developers who feel undervalued in their roles. McKenzie emphasizes the importance of integrating marketing and sales strategies into their careers to optimize their professional trajectory and reclaim their worth.

**Key Points Discussed:**
- **Professional Identity:** McKenzie discusses the concept of the 'Code Monkey' as a limiting identity, which often leads developers to devalue their marketing and sales knowledge. He urges developers to embrace their potential beyond just coding.  
- **Value of Marketing and Sales:** He makes the case for understanding marketing and sales as vital components of a developer's toolkit rather than tedious responsibilities. Emphasizing the importance of these skills helps developers advocate for their contributions effectively.  
- **Charging More:** A significant part of the talk revolves around the need for developers to charge what they are worth. McKenzie advises against medium pricing between a full rate and a discounted rate, and encourages practitioners to negotiate in terms of project scope rather than bidding down on rates.  
- **Consulting Business Perspective:** McKenzie shares insights from his own journey as a consultant in software, highlighting how understanding value and pricing dynamics can lead to better client engagement and financial success.  
- **Building Client Relationships:** Practical strategies are outlined for networking and building relationships with customers, including market research to validate business ideas, leveraging email lists for outreach, and creating case studies to showcase successful work.  
- **Long-term View:** Lastly, he emphasizes maintaining a long-term perspective in building professional relationships and business success rather than seeking immediate gains.

McKenzie concludes with an invitation for developers to embrace their entrepreneurial potential and develop strategies that will set them apart in a competitive landscape. He encourages audience members to reach out for deeper discussions as they begin to reshape their professional identities and strategies.

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