Whether a childhood dream or a recent young adult-hipster fantasy, most tend to wish for a life of fame and fortune. For some, it’s the money. For others, it’s the comfort of knowing you’re beloved (or hated) by millions. Here’s the catch: not everyone can become famous. It doesn’t happen overnight either. And unless daddy plans to pay your bills in NYC and you have the body of a Sports Illustrated model, fame may never come your way. Even those factors are no guarantee.
Thankfully, the Internet has saved all of us cheapskates and created a new form of celebrity: the cyber celeb. If it weren’t for YouTube, Justin Bieber would’ve never been discovered. Where would Jenna Marbles be without her videos and blogs? What about Justin Halpern, the guy who tweeted under the feed Sh*t My Dad Says? He turned his twitter feed into a book and after that a CBS sitcom.
Even if you don’t want to be “Internet famous,” utilizing the Internet and social media can definitely help land internships or potential jobs. Simply tag the company in a tweet or post on their Facebook wall saying how you hope to have an opportunity working with them. Keep your tweets and Facebook page appropriate, too.
But for those who do want the fame and status, here are three tips to help reach that goal:
1. Choose a Niche
Have a cause you’d like to promote? Want to create a recipe blog for vegans? The opportunities are endless in the cyber world! The best advice is to choose one particular thing that you’re good at, that will also appeal to others. If you try to appeal to everyone with a broad topic, they’ll lose interest. And don’t just settle on one narrow topic, select something you’re passionate and knowledgeable about! When you let your personality and passion shine through, people take notice.
2. Use Social Networking to Your Advantage
Facebook and Twitter are two of the fastest ways to publicize yourself. When you’re an active user of different social networking sites, people notice what you promote more. Furthermore, one thing that people are afraid to acknowledge is the constant stalking associated with Facebook. People love “trolling” through their friends’ posts or pictures. Take advantage of that! Post links to your latest blogs or articles. Promote a cause that you’re involved in! People tend to notice your existence when you speak up.
3. Set Aside Time
Social networking and the Internet should not overwhelm your life. It might help pass the time, but it also worsens procrastination. Spend 15-20 minutes about three times a day just to update things. Statuses, tweets, blogs…and then go have a life! Internet fame may be fulfilling, but it won’t pay the bills.
And so you have it. I’ve given you the Lincoln Logs and now it’s time to build the cabin. Remember, fame doesn’t happen overnight. But if you publicize something you’re passionate about and promote it on a regular basis, you should be a star. Plus, these skills are just as applicable in regular life than a life of fame. You want that internship? Go and tweet about it. Just don’t be obnoxious. Or course.