Depends on what sort of reputation you want need or expect. Keb Darge didn't ask for spots based on being young and keen. He had a passion, he got hold of some fantastic records, he was (and still is) and an innovator and he made things happen.
We can't all be Keb Darge, but we can all have passion. We maybe all can't afford the best records, but passion, a good ear, determination, innovation and the rest will fall into place.
Mick Hucknall once described the Northern Soul fraternity as like 'a bizarre little family'. Armed with the above, word spreads and there are enough do's, big, little and indifferent the length and breadth of this country (not to mention others) for things to start happening, but you have to force the issue if it's something you really want. Expect it to fall in your lap and you could be overlooked and end up being disappointed..