When you are one of thousands even millions swimming in the social media pool… how do you get noticed? What makes your posts, your Tweets, or your Facebook updates more special than the next guy? Why should anyone pay any attention at all to you?

This all started with a post over at Leoville ( see Buzz Kill ), a tweet by Brogan and the flood of comments that followed, including an exchange with @trchandler on Twitter. He asked me the question about getting noticed and it just begged a longer form response than 140 characters would allow… so here goes.

If you don’t read the comments, this post by Leo Laporte is awesome. I think he’s spot on.

Chris Brogan

If you’ve ever read anything I’ve written, you know I have an affection for analogies. We spend a lot of time trying to figure out things in the on-line world that have already been figured out off-line… we just need to connect the dots. Getting noticed on-line is no different.

What Do You Do?

So you’re at the big game with your significant other and the camera guy is coming around taking shots of the crowd. You want to get on the big screen. What do you do? In a stadium of thousands, in a section of hundreds, what do YOU do to get on TV?

Simply, you do something attention worthy. For either its shock value, humor, or whatever other reason, you have that makes you stand out. You catch the guy’s eye, he takes the shot then moves down the line.

On-line, you make a brilliant comment on a popular blog post. Maybe in a moment of wit you post a Twitter message that gets RT’ed all over the Internet. Or maybe, just maybe, you get really sucky service and you make an awesome YouTube video that gets a million views over night ( ie United Breaks Guitars! ).

Now Run With It!

Now that you have the world’s attention, what are you going to do with it? Well, the simple truth is, not much. See, in the end,its not up to you whether they keep listening to you or not. Its not up to you if they like what you have to say. The ball is in their court.

What’s going to keep them listening is whether you produce content that is meaningful and relevant to them. If they think your funny, or smart, or insightful… or they just need someone new to stalk… they will notice you and they will listen.

Of course, you could always buy followers too… but that’s no fun!

So Now What?

Well, now that you know the process, what can you do?

1. Have a history. You produce a steady stream of good content so when you do snag someone’s attention, they have something to consume.

2. Be prepared. When you do get the opportunity to shine, give it all you’ve got!

3. Participate. When was the last time the lotto lady rang your doorbell, reminding you to buy a ticket because tonight was your night to win? Huh? Never? If you don’t participate in the conversation, its virtually guaranteed that no one will ever notice you!

Have more tips? Think I’m so far out in left field that I’m in the parking lot? Love it and want more? Leave a comment and let me know what YOU think!

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