Wired magazine’s cover story this month is about Julia Allison, an Internet celebrity who is famous for, well, umm … being famous, at least online. And one of the bedrock truths in our modern, media-saturated economy is that fame has a dollar value.
So, if you’re seeking fame, you might be able to learn a thing or two from Julia, right?
But perhaps you don’t care to read all about how she first got exposure in Gawker by going to a Nick Denton Halloween party dressed as a “condom fairy.” No problem. I have read the article, and have extracted all the parts that are relevant to those of us who (1) don’t live in New York City and/or (2) are not a “hot woman with an exhibitionist streak.”
1. Crash parties. Go to the channels where you have the least competition. With email, blogs and Tweets online, there’s lots and lots of competition. In person, there’s a lot less.
2. Think of yourself as a subject in a magazine profile (for example, in Wired). Everything you post online should add to your character. And keep it coming – Julia says it’s like adding wood to a fire to keep it burning. Needless to say, multiple channels (blog, Twitter, You Tube, etc.) are helpful here. Marketers call this branding.
3. Cultivate your fans. Interact with them online, answer their emails, respond to their comments on your blog, leave comments on their blogs.
4. Extend your brand to others. Once you’ve established Brand You, recruit others – Brand You Juniors – and help them build their brand by linking to them, advising them and providing them some of your legitimacy. Multiple platforms (i.e. people) will strengthen and expand your brand.
By the way, in case you think this all too snarky or tongue in cheek, I should mention that Julia has launched her own Web portal and has signed a deal with Bravo to develop her own reality TV show. Really.
And if you do want to read the whole Wired story, click here.
Got some more tips on branding online? Please share them in the comments.
Sponsor: Branding your name or company requires hard work, using custom promotional items can do nothing but help to build that brand — cheap promotional items.
