Ask Is it possible to build a freelancing reputation without ever promoting yourself directly?

[Brendan]

Self-promotion makes a lot of freelancers uncomfortable. Some people find it unnatural to talk about their own work, post about achievements, or put themselves forward in public spaces. But building a reputation without any of that seems difficult in a market where visibility matters. Refferals can carry you far if your work is good, but that alone takes a long time. Some freelancers seem to grow steadily without ever running campaigns or promoting themselves online. Do you think it is realistic to build a solid freelancing reputation today without doing any direct self-promotion?