Keeping up appearances

I’m always dumbfounded when scrolling through social media and I see a post like this from a former colleague: “Hire me! Lord - I’ve been without a gig for 8 months. #desperate”

Desperate? We are now well aware. All of us. The impulse of somebody to broadcast their professional dry spell to thousands of people, when these sentiments are both cringeworthy and unattractive, boggles the mind.

While this colleague may have felt that they were hustling or advertising their newfound availability, the truth is somewhat more harsh: Nobody likes desperation. Nobody wants to work with someone who is seemingly unhirable. And real businesses don’t tend to lead with what’s not working or what they don’t have as their value proposition. In other words, if your local bakery posted on Instagram begging people to visit their storefront and buy a rugelach because they haven't had a customer in weeks, you would probably just stick with Entenmann’s.

So what do you do when business is slow and you don’t necessarily have an artistic triumph or professional coup to brag about? Make it up. Yes, really. I’m not saying to pull a full-on Trump and spew out a bunch of blatant lies, but learn to reframe the things you are pursuing—even your mundane daily activities—into professional growth moments. 

It can be as underwhelming as a trip to Staples for a new trash can and 10 more headshots. Don’t undersell that experience. It’s one that ultimately builds toward your growth as an artist—even if it’s seemingly insignificant on the surface. Publicize those new photos you’re picking up. They demonstrate to your network a commitment to developing your craft more than any whiny post about your withered professional prospects could ever. And if you’re lucky, people will simply think you’re low on work because of all the auditions you’re clearly going to!

Let me be clear here: This is not lying. Your public persona can be based entirely on rock-solid truth. Just focus on the positive and build your image on a foundation of desirability and confidence. Here are some other examples to get you inspired.

• More often than not, raising funds for your own short film or concert is filled with anxiety and “failures.” On the inside, you might be scared shitless as to whether or not you’re going to raise the necessary funds. But here’s where the reframing comes in: Keep those worries to yourself and celebrate every dollar that does come in, instead. What you’re doing here isn’t lying—it’s creating a persona of success. And that’s the confident artist people are energized to give money to and support.

• Feeling like you’re not getting enough auditions and that your friends and colleagues are lapping you?? Rather than project insecurity and self doubt, transform the dry spell into an opportunity. You might not have back-to-back auditions to brag about, but you could share updates about future or upcoming projects. We’re more interested in seeing a behind-the-scenes look of you revamping elements of your book than an Instagram story on feeling left out. One projects a resentful and bad attitude, the other an embrace of the work you are finding meaning in.

Like with any business, keeping up the appearance of success and desirability is crucial to continued growth. Even when it feels like you have nothing to market, resist the impulse to broadcast negativity to your network. Be strategic. Who knows, maybe reframing those seemingly benign daily activities will not only grow your marketing, but your self-confidence overall.