Be Seen Without Being Cringe

Self-promotion for broadcasting pros.

Oscar Sanchez

May 25, 2025

In this edition:

Why self-promotion matters especially in broadcasting today
The unspoken code of humility—and how it’s holding you back
A real-world example of respectful, effective self-promotion
How to self-promote without sounding arrogant (or even hitting publish)
Three no-pressure ways to get noticed—even if you hate social media

Broadcasting Runs on Ghosts

The best work in this industry is often invisible.

A clean switch. A perfect read. A flawless segment with nine moving parts and zero margin for error.

No missed cues. No dropped feeds. No screw-ups.

That’s the job, right?

And yet—here’s the twist: the better you are at your work, the less visible it often is.
The audio tech who saved the remote hit with a backup mic? No credit.
The PA who reworked the segment rundown mid-show to avoid a guest meltdown? Forgotten by Tuesday.
Still waiting on a callback for that promotion.

Welcome to broadcasting—the industry where competence is many times invisible.

But Here’s What Everyone Misses

If you don't learn to share what you're doing, you're letting your career be defined by silence.

Because we’ve all internalized the same myth: “The work should speak for itself.”

Except it rarely does.

It gets buried in fast-turn rundowns, late-night re-edits, or the truck wrap up.
And the people who do get seen? Often, they’re the ones who know how to talk about what they do—even if they’re not the best at doing it.

We hate to admit it, but it’s true: Visibility drives opportunity, not just competence.

Broadcasting’s Culture of Humility (And Why It’s Failing Us)

In our world, there’s an unspoken rule: Don’t brag.
Don’t talk about the overnight you pulled. Don’t share the segment you saved. Don’t post the before-and-after of your graphic redesign.

Why? Because we’re trained to be team players. The truck only rolls if everyone shows up.

But here's the problem: humility without visibility leads to getting stuck.

You get trapped in roles you’ve outgrown. Passed over for projects you’re ready for. Labeled as “reliable” instead of “rising.”

You can be excellent for years—and still be invisible.

How to Self-Promote Without the Ick

Let’s reframe self-promotion: It’s not about shouting louder—it’s about documenting your impact.

Especially in an industry that doesn’t stop moving long enough to notice.

1. Promote Through Teaching Moments

Instead of saying, “I fixed this,” say:
“Here’s how I handled a guest canceling mid-show—and what I’d do differently next time.”

Use your behind-the-scenes currency:

The mic check that saved the interview
The truck hack that shaved 30 seconds off turnaround
The rundown you rebuilt under deadline

Try this:

A LinkedIn “post-mortem” on a live remote you helped rescue.
A voice note: “What I learned from the chaos of Tuesday’s breaking news”.
A short Note: “Three mistakes I made in segment timing—and how I fixed them”.

2. Use the "Make-You-Sound-Smarter" Share

People share what makes them look insightful. This is what Wes Pearce, creator of the Escape the Cubicle newsletter and researcher of viral Substack strategies, calls the Status Shift.

Example:
"Most people think camera operators just point and shoot. But here’s the truth: during last week's game, we reconfigured handheld coverage mid-quarter to track a star player switch, and it completely changed how the story played out on screen."

You’re not just sharing what you did—you’re showing how your thinking shaped the live experience for the audience. You’re helping others see value in something they didn’t even know to look for.

3. Curate Your Greatest Hits

Not everything needs to be new. Some of your best moments just need a second life.

Broadcasting is a highlight-reel industry—but we rarely build one for ourselves.

Try this:

“My 3 Favorite Saves in the Field (And What They Taught Me)”
“What I Learned From Almost Losing a Segment at T-minus 6 Seconds”
“Why I Now Plan for Failure—And How It Makes Me a Better Producer”

A Real-World Example: James Rowe’s Approach

Let’s talk about James Rowe.

James is a young broadcast professional who recently posted on LinkedIn about his availability for live sports roles. It wasn’t flashy. It wasn’t gimmicky. It was clean, clear, and packed with actual value. He included:

His updated reel
A short, respectful note about his experience
And a direct invitation to get in touch

No ego. No filters. No “crushing it” clichés.

Just a recently college graduated professional using a platform to sharing that he is ready. And it worked—it felt human, helpful, and hireable.

James isn’t using social media to post selfies and dinner pics. He’s using it as a work tool. And that’s the shift more people in our industry need to see.

If You’re Not Ready to Post Publicly, Start Here Instead

Not everyone wants to hit “publish.” And that’s okay.

Self-promotion doesn’t have to be public. Here are three quieter ways to build visibility that still move your career forward:

1. The Internal Highlight Reel

Keep a running doc of:

Problems you solved
Praise you received
Big moments (and quiet saves)

Use it during your next check-in, pitch, or rate negotiation. Let your track record speak for itself.

2. The One-on-One Signal Boost

Start small. Share a recent win with a trusted peer, mentor, or manager.

“Hey—I had to rewire the remote gear yesterday with 11 minutes to spare. Learned a cool trick I’ll use next time.”

You're not bragging. You’re building reputation.

3. The Strategic Ask

Ask someone for feedback on something you’re proud of.

“Would love your take on how I handled the timing issues during last week’s double-live.”

This invites feedback and puts your capability on the radar.

Why This Matters for Your Career

Broadcasting changes and will change even more. Fast.
AI is creeping into workflows. Middle layers are disappearing.
Freelancers and full-timers alike are being chosen based on who knows what you can do.

You can’t just hope to be discovered.

You have to be understood.
And that means being intentional about how—and where—you share your value.

Because if you don’t tell your story, someone else will write a version where you were “just the tech,” “just the editor,” “just the AP.”

Action Plan (Pick One This Week):

Post a “Lesson from the Truck” here on the Substack notes, LinkedIn, or just to a trusted colleague
Share a segment save—and break down how you pulled it off
Build a personal “highlight reel” doc, even if you never share it
Message a former coworker and ask: “What’s something you think I’ve done well that others might miss?”

You don’t need a big audience. You just need a clear signal.

Because in 2025, obscurity isn’t humility. It’s a career hazard.

Have a great week and don’t be shy.

Promote yourself, nobody will do it in a better way.

Nobody knows better what you can bring to the table.

Oscar S.