These days, it's very easy to become a celebrity. Social media makes connecting with many groups of people easier and faster. However, gaining celebrity status takes time and commitment. It won't happen overnight, but there are ways to make it more likely.
Step
Part 1 of 3: Setting the Stage
Step 1. Decide what celebrity you want to be
There are many types of celebrities from singers and actors to bloggers, fiction writers, social workers, models, or even chefs. To become a celebrity, you must choose the field in which you are a celebrity. Just being 'a celebrity' won't get you very far, because that goal is too vague to work on.
It's also good to decide whether you want 15 minutes of fame or you want your celebrity status to last a lifetime. The former is easier to achieve, but won't give you lasting fame. The second takes time and effort to achieve, but will last much longer
Step 2. Practice
If you want to be a celebrity in a certain area, you have to keep practicing to a level where people want to invest in you. While it's true that celebrities aren't always the best at what they do, they still tend to be good at it, whether it's acting, singing, writing, or cooking.
Embed 1 hour each day in the field you choose. This will help you focus on your creative work and keep you focused on your goal of getting people to know you and your work
Step 3. Get creative
There's a lot of familiar old stuff out there, and it's true that imitators can be famous (think how many copy books like Twilight or Harry Potter), but it's the original product that's most memorable.
- This means that you can use other people's work as a first step. But you have to add your own color, or character to what you serve. For example: if you want to write a vampire novel, that's great! But instead of copying the formula of a timeless vampire beauty like Anne Rice or Twilight, give your vampire something unusual, something that readers will be attracted to and remember.
- Basically being creative means having something that people will remember, because it's different from the others. Of course, this can backfire if you focus too much on complete originality (such a thing doesn't exist), but you should play with the flair and authenticity that you're trying to offer, because that will help when you're selling your work.
Step 4. Study the celebrities in your chosen field
You'll need to know what's popular in your chosen field to be able to market yourself so that people will want to meet you and you'll get an idea of what to avoid and what to emulate.
- See how these celebs became famous. Chances are, you won't see all the work and backgrounds that earned them celebrity status, but you will be able to see where they start.
- For example: many celebs talk about their early years and what they did to pursue a career. Learn how and where they made the breakthroughs that made them celebrities and how much effort they had to put in just to get to that position.
Step 5. Find people who can help you
Part of being a celebrity is about who you know and who helped you achieve your goals. This doesn't mean you have to befriend a celebrity, but it's good to find someone in the industry who acts as a kind of mentor, to help you avoid pitfalls.
- You need to hire, or at least talk to a marketing professional, because a lot of fame comes from marketing yourself and you need, whenever possible, to have an expert opinion on how to market yourself.
- You really need to get a mentor from the same field, someone who has experience in the field where you want to be a celebrity. For example: if you want to become a professional (and celebrity) writer, seek advice from other writers.
- Look around your town and see if there are others who share the same goal so you can help each other.
Part 2 of 3: Becoming a Celebrity
Step 1. Develop your self-image
This is you, because you don't want to pretend to be someone else, in a more idealized version. This is the image you want to present and take advantage of when you market yourself.
- Basically, there are two different people on this. That is the real you, who is imperfect and can make mistakes, and the ideal you (i.e. the person you want to market to). Your ideal version of yourself is perfect, amazing and awesome.
- The times you use this imagery are when you market yourself and your work (books, songs, cooking, etc.) to other people, be they the general public or music producers. Remember, the ideal version of yourself is only needed for a short period of time, and then you can go back to being your normal self.
Step 2. Market yourself
This is important, because if you can't market yourself then you won't be a celebrity. People who achieve celebrity status are those who create an image of themselves and know how to sell that image effectively to whatever industry they want to enter, as well as the general public.
- Explain why you are unique. Part of marketing yourself is showing people why they should be interested in you. What parts of your work or presence do people like.
- Persistent. Marketing yourself means being seen and being seen means you have to keep marketing yourself. For example: if your book continues to be rejected by publishers, include something (like a short story) in a literary magazine to gain a writing reputation that will help your author's image.
- Before you get into the big media circuits like a major television show, you need to establish yourself on local TV and radio, so people will see that you're a great source to interview and that you offer unique and interesting work. Once you've established yourself in your field, reach out to local news shows and let them know what you're working on. Again, you have to be persistent. If they're not immediately interested, keep doing what you're doing and let them know.
Step 3. Use social media
Social media and the internet have helped many people gain celebrity status (or fame) and these are avenues you should consider when you are trying to become a celebrity. Although it's not good if you just rely on social media, but it is very helpful.
- One of the most important aspects of social media is the continuous availability of the internet. Create a website that showcases your talents. Go to YouTube and make a vlog. Be a part of the Tumblr and Twitter communities. You can talk about things other than your talents (otherwise people will lose interest). You have to create interest about yourself, so make sure you use your ideal self-image, as you are still marketing yourself in this interaction.
- Look at people who have achieved fame through social media (especially through YouTube) and think about what they've done and how they did it. Justin Bieber is one of the clearest examples, as he is discovered via YouTube videos, but it's again persistence and talent (he does have musical talent) that help solidify what he already does by presenting himself.
- Another example is John Green who makes back and forth YouTube videos with his brother Hank Green, who is also a bestselling author. He created the basis for studying writing because he already had a following and had proven that his image could be marketed. Proving yourself marketable through social media can really help your marketing in the long run.
Step 4. Connect with other celebrities
A great way to break into a field is to have someone who is already successful in it. It's not easy to just 'friend' with a celebrity, because many people have tried it.
- Approach them at public events, if you can. For actors, or writers, there are workshops and panels they sit on for events that you can go and meet them. You can also get in touch with many celebrities via social media, where you can ask them for advice.
- Sometimes it's good to have a moment with them to ask them for tips on how they got to where they are now. Many are happy to share their advice and experiences with someone who is interested.
Part 3 of 3: Maintaining Celebrity Status
Step 1. Keep innovating with your ideas
Once you achieve celebrity status, you have to maintain it. One way is to change things. Experiment with different ideas and options.
Do more than one thing. If you're a singer, for example, try dancing or modeling or acting. Spread wings to comedy. Take advantage of all of this in your music
Step 2. Maintain a good relationship with fans
Fans are the people who brought you to where you are today, through their loyalty by telling other people amazing things about you. Treat them with respect. Thank them at the interview and in person.
- Consider occasionally giving them something for free (free story downloads or free songs).
- If someone (especially a fan) criticizes what you do, don't be mad at them. On the other hand, if the criticism is harsh, respond appropriately by blocking them or asking the authorities to deal with them (meaning people like Twitter admins, etc, don't have to be the police), and if not rude, respectfully contact that person to know where they came from.
Step 3. Use your status positively
When you become a celebrity it means that many people will watch you and learn from you and treat your words like scripture. There are many responsibilities that come with such an impression on many groups of people.
- Manage and participate in fundraising for a noble cause (end hunger, ensure everyone has access to health care and clean water, abolish slavery, and the sex trade). Donate money to the cause.
- Raise awareness on these issues through social media and through your own work.
Tips
- Have as many connections as possible, including other celebs.
- Create a site featuring or create a magazine for your city or community.
Warning
- Contrary to popular belief, being a celebrity is not always easy. Once you are famous, your personal life is no longer yours. Try to separate these two parts of your world as much as possible.
- Beware of scams. Admission to a talent agency should be free. If someone asks for money for it, don't listen to them.
