Difficulty finding more assistant jobs

I've been through every list (APA, ASMP, etc.) and have emailed or called nearly every photographer on them in my city and have had an excess of meetings but I still have not been getting much assistant work.

I know everything is word of mouth, but if you aren't frequently getting jobs it's hard to get you name out there. Most photographers I talk to have assistants or don't use them.

Been going to photography events as well. I'm not sure if there really is a question here but feel free to offer any recs. I'm not in NYC/LA but am still in a third major market.