"If I’m only a mediocre programmer, but there are 10,000 people who know exactly how good I am, I’m going to be able to make more money and get hired quicker th

"If I’m only a mediocre programmer, but there are 10,000 people who know exactly how good I am, I’m going to be able to make more money and get hired quicker than a world-class programmer who anyone barely knows." This is the truest thing ever. Basically it is marketing. Marketing yourself. The best way to market yourself is to do public speaking or public writing. I knew a guy once, he gave at least 2 technical talks every week to various technical users groups, associations, conferences - if there was a gathering of two or more people, he'd be talking there. They guy got 2-3 job offers every single day. You do public speaking for 5 years, and the whole world will know you. You are seen as a leader, when you get up on stage. And the same is true for writing if you don't like public speaking, although public speaking is better as people see you in the flesh. Both speaking and writing together is the best. I know another person, gave a public speech at a company on an important new technology they were adopting when she was an intern. She was a beautiful shiny penny, and gave the talk with verve, pizazz, panache, and humor. She shot way up the ladder at that company, faster than people with a ton more experience and knowledge. Because she was seen as a thought leader. She really didn't know shit about technology either, but that's just how peoples' minds work. You get up in front of people and know 10% more than most of them, and, bam, you're an expert and thought leader. Of course, there will always be those who will say, "I talked to him/her, and he/she doesn't know shit, why are they getting promoted over me when I know more? All that fucking political ass-kissing/brown-nosing, etc." And they are right in terms of knowledge of the skill. But they could just as easily build their skill on public speaking or writing, in order to be known, but they don't. To be known, you have to get known. Public speaking and public writing are the easiest options that are available to all. If you've never done either, partner up with someone who has. Be a co-author or co-speaker. It's ok to fluck up, as long as you keep getting better every time.