Comments on: #2: Playing the “Fame Game”

By: DanoMusicBlog

DanoMusicBlog — Wed, 28 Jan 2009 03:30:39 +0000

I find this post particularly funny because I discovered Internet Marketing while learning to market my music online. So I am actually a musician that “uses” IM and to me fame is the by product of one thing – converting traffic to subscribers and then to buyers. We all know that traffic is just a matter of degree, just like fame.

By: Pink Boutique

Pink Boutique — Fri, 14 Nov 2008 23:26:25 +0000

It seems like everyone wants their 5 minutes of fame. With the size of the web very few people are actually famous on it. Youtube is probably the worst.

By: wheel

wheel — Tue, 14 Oct 2008 14:29:27 +0000

D’oh! I feel like you’re talking about me :).

In my defence, I look at my way-to-frequent posting habits as a hobby, and my occassional speaking presentations as ‘giving back’. It’s sure not like I make any money from it. And I do take vacations from posting online, so I can quit anytime!

By: SEOAly

SEOAly — Wed, 08 Oct 2008 21:25:46 +0000

I’m fairly new to the SEO game, but as with anything else, I think it’s about finding the right balance and understanding your own motivation. I’m not after any sort of fame, but I’m also still so green in the industry that I’m surprised & pleased when people who have been around a lot longer than I have actually know who I am. I know. I’m a dork. Whatever.

It’s really about building a rapport with people that have a lot more experience in the industry than I do in the hope that I’ll be able to glean some useful information…and maybe meet some cool people that share some of the same interests along the way. What I do with that information will determine whether or not I’ll ultimately make a living working for myself and doing something I enjoy.

I don’t participate on other blogs or discussions just so people know who “SEOAly” is. I do so because I think I have something constructive or useful to contribute to the conversation taking place. For me, it’s not about attaining “SEO Rockstardom”. Rae Hoffman knowing who I am doesn’t put any money in my bank account, but what I’ve learned from Rae Hoffman will…therein lies the difference.

By: Rae Hoffman

Rae Hoffman — Wed, 08 Oct 2008 13:25:29 +0000

@ltdraper “obscurely wealthy” – I’m with ya…

@Tim Staines I’m not saying it doesn’t have it’s benefits… but IMHO, there are ways to work towards being visible and known without wasting a lot of your time and energy playing the fame game for the wrong reasons.

@Cameron I agree on the opps… as I mentioned to Tim above, I just think there is a smart way to create those opportunities and a dumb way. Playing the fame game and seeking visibility for monetary benefit = two different things for me. But, I gather from your comment you knew that ;-)

By: chiropractic

chiropractic — Tue, 07 Oct 2008 18:22:51 +0000

We see this in other industries as well and the same principles apply. When I was in the music business it was amazing the number of “rock stars” I met that on the side worked as roadies or instructors in order to make ends meet.

I love the differentiation of being visible vs being a star. A much more viable approach.

By: Cameron

Cameron — Tue, 07 Oct 2008 16:32:39 +0000

While I agree with most of what you said, and seeking fame is definitely not my cup… I do have a couple good friends in our industry who would be considered ‘famous’, and yes, they certainly spend a lot of time seeking & chasing that fame. But I’ve also seen some amazing opportunities come these people’s way from a direct result of their fame… things like investment capital, board seats, press on sites like TechCrunch, huge consulting contracts, audience to launch personal projects in front of, and so on and so forth.

Just something to think about – but generally speaking I agree with what you say. I know for me, I’d rather not have the fame (I like my personal space) and just keep my head down and keep cashing the checks.

By: Tim Staines

Tim Staines — Tue, 07 Oct 2008 15:10:08 +0000

I’m not really sure where I fit into the mix here . . . I’m definitely a hard worker – full time job in SEO and 30+ hours a week on the side – but I also regularly comment on seomoz (less than once a day) because I’m already reading their content and sometimes have something to contribute to the conversation. I look at it as part of my learning process with the added benefit of some exposure to the industry. It’s never too early to establish some sort of recognition for your name that you might be able to benefit from down the road. I’m thinking direct assistance from someone who might not want to help someone they’ve never heard of, but might be more likely to help me (someone they’ve seen participating in their environment).

PS – I like the new WP plug-in . . . I hope to make more use of it when I have a chance. So thanks!

By: joehall

joehall — Tue, 07 Oct 2008 14:49:46 +0000

“Being able to show websites from your portfolio/clients that rank/proof you know what the hell youâ€™re doing”

For me this is the most important goal that I work towards. And being someone that does most of my work in a market that is currently drowning (real estate), I have noticed that if you don’t have the portfolio, client list, ect. then you will sink fast. Of course, I am learning all this the hard way.

By: ltdraper

ltdraper — Tue, 07 Oct 2008 11:36:16 +0000

If you want to put a value on fame, look at the really famous people in this market and calculate their income based upon their lifestyles. Thanks, but I’d rather be obscurely wealthy.