Andy Warhol once said that everyone in America will be famous for fifteen minutes. With the viral spread of news on the Internet, his quip has become a prophesy.
Has one of your career or business accomplishments gained you a moment in the sun? Learn how to extend your fifteen minutes of fame and use it as a platform for future growth and opportunities.
A few important lessons:
Don't Shun Self-Promotion
If you have created a blog post or article that went viral, earned a distinction in your field, or been the subject of some publicity, don't be shy about letting people know. Reshare posts and articles about your moment of fame. Your achievements are worthwhile and false modesty benefits no one.
"I knew the value of highlighting myself and executive team but stayed behind the scenes for so long. When I finally made public speaking and the authority building foundation that leads to it a priority, I met my co-founder and started the process, " explained Joshua B Lee, CEO of Adfirmative.
Keep Contributing and Keep Active
Post to your social networks on a regular basis. This helps you build relationships with those who found you through your moment of fame and keeps you in people's minds. Be generous with your help, experience and guidance. For instance, if your moment of acclaim was due to a particularly successful piece of marketing, write a blog post explaining the principles you employed or what inspired you.
You can also add updates to keep up interest. If you are in the spotlight because of a trip to do business in China, follow up a month later with a blog post about what you have learned about the culture. This shows that you have more to give and gives people reasons to keep up on what you are doing.
Share the Spotlight
While attention is still on you, take a moment to shine a light on someone or something else you feel is worthwhile. This can be showcasing a colleague's accomplishment, drawing attention to an unmet need in your industry or raising awareness to a cause you believe in.
By paying it forward when you are enjoying momentary fame, you can help build up other people, as well. Those who you support will not forget your generosity and will likely find ways to repay it. In the end, by giving of yourself, you strengthen your reputation and reap rewards.
Periodically Reinvent Yourself
Novelty attracts attention. If your personal moment of fame seems to be sliding past, do a personal inventory. What about yourself do you feel is ready for an update and improvement? Is there a new direction you have wanted to pursue? Pick one area for reinvention, and share your news.
A designer, for instance, may wish to add videography to her suite of services. Someone in sales may choose to bone up on different marketing styles. If personal style is important in your industry, consider changing and updating your look to keep it fresh and new. Consider having new professional headshots taken to highlight your new look.
But, Stay Recognizable
Consistency is a massive factor in branding. And, your most notable traits can be a sort of calling card that makes you recognizable.
Take, for instance, the story of actress Jennifer Grey. She because Hollywood's sweetheart with her appearances in the films Ferris Bueller's Day Off and Dirty Dancing.
But, once she'd gained fame, she had plastic surgery to reduce the size of her nose. While she may have felt like she objectively looked better, the move was a disaster for her career. Casting directors and fans did not recognize her, and it stalled her momentum.
Learn From Your Mistakes, Then Move On
If you make a misstep, particularly a public one, do not give in to the urge to lay low until everything blows over. Everyone makes mistakes sometimes.
If you need to apologize for poor judgment or an error, make whatever amends are necessary and move on. A strong personal brand requires visibility. People will respect your poise and your ability to hold your head up and continue.
"My assistant accidentally sent my standard "New LinkedIn Contact Greeting Message" to a longtime friend. That potentially could have hurt his feelings, and even damaged our relationship. I quickly crafted an 'I'm sorry' message to him privately and even made a public one," said Clint Evans, Co-Founder Stand Out Authority.
Remind People You Are Around
After the buzz has faded, continue to update your social media accounts and to appear at local events.
If you don't have any new achievements or creations of your own to share, you still have plenty to say:
- Share a link to an important piece of industry news. Add your opinion and ask others for their thoughts, as well.
- Spotlight the achievements of a friend or colleague.
- Link to older articles on anniversaries of events. For instance, three months after a magazine story about you, repost the original link with the comment, "I can't believe this happened just three months ago!"
- Respond to other people's social media posts. Retweet what is important send replies on a regular basis.
Fame can be fleeting. By carefully extending your moment in the sun, you can make the most of it.
Properly manage your personal brand and build something that shows you have more substance, you can show you are not a flash in the pan but a force to be reckoned with.