How to become Internet Famous (nearly overnight)

We’re all engaging in social media for a reason, and for most of us, that’s to be seen. We all want the best in the business to see us and know who we are. We all want to be recognized as social media experts, and recognized as someone with  Klout. So how do you get your name in front of the social media front runners?

Engage.

As simple as it sounds, it does take some doing on the part of the do-er.  Here are a few things you can do to build your cred and maybe, just maybe, become Internet famous.

1. Start a blog.  As someone who just started actively updating my blog (I used to write every few weeks) I understand the commitment, but it’s one worth making.

We all love reading the inside scoop from our favorite celebrities. Whether it’s celebrity personal blogs or updates from Perez, we want to be in the know. Blogs are your opportunity to build a community of fans, and to express your take on your community. Whether it’s celebrities, emerging technologies, consumer, food, social media, finance…whatever it is, you have an opinion and it’s important to get it out there.

2. Engage. Sounds obvious, but it’s important to read blogs of the people you respect (or the ones you want to know who you are) in the industry. Tweet links to their blogs, frequently engage in their community by posting comments, network with their community (if you play your cards right might someday be your fans), and track their speaking schedules so you can connect with them in person.

3. Read your industry news. Duh. It’s important to stay tuned in to your industries case studies and news. It makes it much easier to participate in conversations with big names.

4. Don’t sleep. You may be tired, but if you’re going to make waves, you can’t afford to stop – for anything. There is no such thing as vacation for someone who is heading towards Internet stardom. Once you drop out of the limelight, people will start asking: “Didn’t you used to be the person who…?”

5. Do something. Yeah, instead of just writing about what other people are doing, why don’t you do something yourself? To be recognized, you need to have done something recognizable – so, just because you just wrote a top ten list on How to Become Internet Famous (nearly overnight) doesn’t mean that… well, that you’ve done anything that nobody else has done before.

6. Link. When you find blog posts, sites or personalities that are pertinent to your entries/Tweets, give credit. If your links offer up your unique perspective, you may get those high-up biz folks’ attention. The more you talk about other people, the more likely they’ll be to talk about you. That’s just how it works.

7. Send up flares. When you have something you know beyond a shadow of a doubt is insightful, alert your network. Let your community know what you’re working on and what you’ve discovered. Don’t spam your network. When you do have something great, though, don’t be afraid to share it. Reach out to those high-up contacts and ask them to read your blog (and if it is as good as you think it is, they might share it with their network. WIN).

8.  Participate on and offline. Likely you feel more comfortable in one or the other — for me it’s in person or text message, that’s when I’m shockingly witty for my roots are at a PR agency, but it’s important be seen and network with people who may elevate your online personality. If you’re owning your online space by blogging/Tweeting about something you’re interested in. People will recognize that offline, and feel comfortable connecting with you in person. It gives you context and depth since as nice as it is to be known, it is much nicer to be known for something than nothing.

9. Have personality. It’s important to interject your own spin into your online self, become someone that a community wants to connect with. Don’t be afraid to incorporate truths about your personal life (like the fact that I’m obsessed with shoes and my cat, Susan).

10. Don’t be afraid to take risks. Don’t be afraid to express your opinion online, even if it differs from your peers (and, the Internet famous folks that you’re vying attention from). Follow conversations that pique your interest, even if they’re not directly be a part of your network. Your differing opinion may strike up an intellectual debate your community can learn from.

So get out there, don’t be afraid to take risks,  and get famous!