In a Web 2.0 world, how can you use social media as a  method of shameless self-promotion? Read on for our tips on how to find Internet  fame with just a little time investment.

It was only within the past half decade that brands began using Facebook,  Twitter, Tumblr, and Instagram extensively as a method of self-promotion. And  really, the only reason they do it better than you think you can is the amount  of money poured into advertising. On a smaller scale, you, too, can promote you  and your brand on social networks. With a lot of time and patience, here are our  tips on how to become Internet-famous.

Maintain brand consistency

Ever run into people who say they will never be on  Facebook, but Twitter is okay in their book? It’s fans like these that force you  to be available on all forms of social media so the crowd can select their  method(s) of following. The important thing to remember is, even though each  social network boasts a different way of sharing and interacting, you have to  maintain brand consistency. Make sure the look and name stays the same across  networks so they’re recognizable, and post similar links throughout each  network. You don’t want to feel like you’ve skimping out on the Facebook fans  but engaging with more of your Instagram followers. Love all equally.

Always engage

One of the major reasons Facebook and Twitter became so popular as a form of  outreach for fans is the ability for them to interact with brands directly. It’s  cool to know you can tweet JetBlue and someone is likely to get back and answer  your questions and concerns, in 140 characters or less.

While you may not attract a ton of questions off the bat, sometimes it is  your job to pose questions yourself. Even something as simple as asking what  your followers are eating for lunch and retweeting the best answers will make  fans feel like they’re being engaged and valued for their responses. If you’re  on Tumblr, enable the Ask function so fans can send direct queries for you to  respond to other inquiring minds.

Remember: Just don’t go trigger happy retweeting every response you get or  your followers will think they’re being spammed. You can always just Favorite or  Like a response. Don’t forget to thank a fan when they reach out to you,  whether it’s criticism or praise.

Be likeable

The worst thing about advertisements and promotions  is when you know the gimmick is only about advertising and promoting. In between  posts about the latest blog you published or product you’re offering, discuss  current events relevant to you with your followers. Not only will this be  helpful to people interested in what you have to say, it will help you become an  information source for new people who share your interests.

Proofread your posts and make sure they look professional and link to the  right pages. You don’t want to come off like an amateur by misspelling a word  and having to retweet a post, or linking your fans to a LOLcat picture when you  meant to send them to an interesting story you found off Reddit. A funny mistake  might generate some buzz, but not the kind you want.

Use hashtags to your advantage

Hashtags are a form of social discovery for  Netizens, so you want to make yourself as visible as possible by using relevant  hashtags, especially during a current event. You can also use the hashtag as a  way to brand yourself, such as the New  York City restaurant Comodo has by asking patrons to post Instagram food  pictures with the hashtag #ComodoMenu. Either use hashtag as a way to get on the  bandwagon with news and trends and get recognized, or create one and get people  talking about particular topics. You can host a live discussion with a certain  hashtag, say, #DTDebates for us, and make it a weekly thing so fans always know  to come back. And that’s the last thing…

Keep them hooked

None of this social media riff-raff would mean a thing if you can’t keep the  fans you received. If people are following you because you’re a comedian, you  best deliver a punchline every chance you get. If you’re a beauty blogger, your  videos, advice columns, photos, and tutorials should be fresh and new – and tend  to what your audience is requesting. Whatever it is you want your fans to know  you for, keep them coming back by posting quality content to make them glad to  have found you on the Web in the first place. After that, it’s a matter of word  of mouth and Web virality before you’re a celebrity – at least on the  Internet.

Read more: http://www.digitaltrends.com/how-to/how-to-be-internet-famous/#ixzz2AE93lhOm

Source: http://www.digitaltrends.com/