Let ’em chase you until you catch ’em.

Subtle is not a word I am usually associated with, but there are exceptions. If I am looking for something gig-wise that I can sink my teeth into, I usually try and let my work do the talking. Blogs, podcasts, self promotional videos, etc. More often than not, I will have conversations with someone well meaning, who will offer me advice on how to secure that next gig.

Obvious is a word I definitely don’t want to be associated with and I expend a lot of energy not to appear so. As they say in the rules of negotiation, the first person to name a price, loses. I believe that.

My theory is this: If you are putting your work out there and you know it’s being seen and heard by people that can make something happen, that’s all you can do. That’s all you should do. According to me.

I was told a long time ago that blue collar workers get paid to do what they’re told, (been there) and white collar workers (executives and the like) get paid to think and create. (Make stuff up.)

So my rationale is this: If they don’t get a “eureka” moment from what they see coming from you, you probably wouldn’t want to work there anyway. That’s my theory and I’m sticking to it.

But you can’t use that type of logic with people close to you and are trying to help. As the Marvelettes lyrics to “Too Many Fish In The Sea” goes, “I don’t want nobody that don’t want me, there’s too many fish in the sea”

Is it a game? Fo’ sho’. But one worth playing and staying awake through. Every worthwhile gig I ever got, came from the left field and right field, never right down the center.

We, today, have all the tools at our disposal to help us get noticed in this very busy world, so put yourself out there and “Shop Around.”

I mean, if you have to ask?