Ben DiNucci won this weekend. Even though he didn't take the field.

Ever heard of Ben DiNucci? Obscure NFL quarterback. Brief, forgettable stint. Then he did something wild: he interviewed in public for his next job.

He didn’t fire off résumés into the void. He put his skills on display for the entire internet. And it worked. DiNucci got signed, proving the most effective job application isn’t always the one sent in private. It’s the one published in public.

This isn’t just about job hunting. Shooting your shot in public unlocks opportunities you didn’t know existed. Even if you’re perfectly happy where you are.

Welcome to the Creator Economy. Publishing your brilliance isn’t a luxury. It’s the currency.

The DiNucci Playbook

You might’ve seen the post that got Ben signed to the Broncos’ practice squad during their playoff push.

But you probably missed everything else. His TRUE BRVND fashion concept. Joining CBS’s broadcast team. Tweeting about football. Interviews about his career.

It wasn’t one tweet. It was showing up in all the right places.

Ben overcame the fear most of us carry. He leveraged what he already had and put it out there. Then he got signed to another deal.

This lesson isn’t just for cut quarterbacks angling for a playoff spot. It’s for all of us, no matter where we are in our careers.

What I’ve learned writing online more consistently: it’s a series of shots. Some work. Some don’t. But you’ve got to show up in public.

The platform you choose first doesn’t matter as much as showing up.

Congratulations, you’re now part of the creator economy

I’ve talked to several clients about the job search process. It’s brutal out there. Most are where I’ve been: not publishing, not connecting, relying on skills alone to carry them forward.

Go back to Ben. One video showed him in a flag football game, tossing touchdowns like it was nothing. You’re probably not getting national broadcast cameras on you. But you can draw attention to your skillset by talking about how you bring magic to the process.

The craft of what you do reveals your thinking.

Let’s talk about publishing online. You can publish anywhere. Even your Facebook account, if you want.

Instead of just sharing about your favorite show, apply a lesson that connects to what you do. Skip the political debate and challenge assumptions in your industry instead.

But what if you love your current role?

You should be posting and connecting too.

Ben has two solid pieces of his brand. He didn’t need to audition for more football. But he knows it draws attention for his work with TRUE BRVND and his media opportunities.

What does this mean in your current role? More opportunity to show what you know. Sharpen your communication skills. Build authority alongside your confidence. Open up new skills: writing, speaking, marketing, sales.

For me, writing online has opened up new connections. Not just in my field, but people who’ve shaped me even more.

A non-exhaustive list: Tyler Todt. Chris Antonelli. Paul Bullard. Justin Jones. Caleb Efurd. Ben Mitchell.

Lessons from building in public

Being visible is currency. Once you catch attention, keep it. Ben wasn’t always visible. He was drafted out of James Madison University. Not exactly the limelight.

Be seen. Show up.

Show up and be authentic. People don’t need you to recycle others’ stories. They need to hear from you. You might think what you know isn’t unique. It might not be. But it has your touch on it.

Be proactive and positive. Put your stamp on your personal brand. Don’t take people down. Just highlight who you are and be ready to help.

Ask for help and give help openly. Show up for others in comments and reposts. Celebrate big accomplishments and milestones. Say “we” ten times more than “me.”

Your framework for publishing in public

Here’s how to get started being more public.

Arena: What sport and court are you playing? Ben’s is football and reaching people interested in sports fashion. What’s yours?

• Long-form: Substack, X articles (for X Premium), Medium, and LinkedIn articles are great for publishing long-form content. Deep dives show trust and authority.

• Short-form: One of my favorites. X/Twitter posts and threads, LinkedIn posts, Instagram carousels. Quick hits with a tease for more.

• Visual/audio: Lots of great opportunities. YouTube, podcasts, TikTok. You can use free or cheap tools to edit, polish, and publish across platforms.

Play to Run: What’s your value? How will you score consistently?

Skills highlights? Original opinion or analysis? How-to guides? Public questions or polls to draw discussion? Overview of a project or creation?

Style: How are you going to show up? Gunslinger? Precise?

• Either way, you want a clear, compelling story. It should all come together.

• Hooks matter. Whether you’re a trusted, predictable voice or a little edgy, there’s got to be something to pull the audience toward you.

• Realize you’re always learning. The best writers still tweak their content.

Just start. I woke up one day and started publishing on Substack. I didn’t need permission. I just needed to start.

Throw the Ball: Get on the field and do it.

• You’re going to get in your head. Keep throwing spirals. Keep trying.

• If you’re 80% of the way there, you’re actually 100% of the way there.

• Set a public commitment. Committing in public makes you responsible. For me, it’s publishing this every Thursday. Even on holidays. It requires a system.

Talk with the fans, players, and coaches.

• Fans: You’ll get some people to follow you. Know when to ignore the haters, but otherwise learn and grow with your commenters.

• Players: Other folks similar to your niche. Learn from them. Have friendly competition that grows you both. I reframed from “This guy is already doing what I’m doing” to “We can learn from each other.”

• Coaches: Larger accounts with more influence. Study what they’re doing well. Reach out. Learn.

None of this happens unless you show up.

I was just listening to Mike Cernovich speak at Scott Adams’ live-streamed celebration of life service. He talked about showing up in Scott’s comments. Mike’s a published author with a large social media account. If he’s finding mentors and showing up, we’ve got plenty of opportunities to do that.

Ben DiNucci will get more sales and speaking opportunities by shooting his shot in public.

I’m piecing together my livestreams and podcasts to work more directly with founders ready to launch. I’m pulling it all together in public. I’m learning skills online that help me spot opportunities at work.

It all works together.

Quick thoughts before we wrap up

“I still don’t know. This sounds risky.”

Everyone starts somewhere. The illusion of overnight success is just that. Your unique perspective has value. Focus on contribution, not perfection. Build your publishing muscle over time.

“Okay, I’m willing to try. This could be fun.”

Expect unexpected career pivots. Build a strong professional network organically. Develop new skills: writing, presentation, and critical thinking. Experience the satisfaction of creating and sharing.

Your move

Ben DiNucci didn’t just get a job. He built a blueprint for modern opportunity. He showed us that the best way to secure your future isn’t to wait for an invitation. It’s to build your own stage.

The Creator Economy isn’t just for influencers. It’s for you. Anyone with a unique perspective, a skill to share, or an idea to explore.

Stop waiting for permission. Stop perfecting in private.

The world is waiting to see what you’ve got. What’s the first shot you’re going to take this week?