How to Build Buzz to Become Famous

Fame and all of its benefits are on the minds of just about anyone with even the smallest shred of talent. With just a MySpace account and a little ambition, fame - or infamy - is a few clicks away. David Seamen is the author of Dirty Little Secrets of Buzz. He says the same tactics that keep celebrities in the public eye can help anyone, whether they want personal fame, or have a product, cause or business that could benefit from a few minutes in the spotlight.

His advice relies on social media and the age-old strategy of controversy. Not controversy for the sake of controversy, but having a "product" and standing up for it. Seaman answered a few questions on his own fame experiments - he has been on a number of television talk shows, and is maybe most notable for being the "Free Paris" guy. If celebrities can use these tactics to keep in the public eye, he contends anyone can use the same tricks.

It all falls on building buzz.

What was your background before this book? How do you even go about getting into the "buzz" business?

I had interned at a media company, written a previous book and done some blogging. It was not an overnight decision to become Internet famous or a buzz magnet. It happened mostly by accident.

I thought it was interesting that you said the same tactics that put celebrities in the news could also work for products or companies. How does this transfer for a company. It is easy to see a celebrity on a magazine, but where does the company get the same kind of recognition?

Companies can elevate individuals within the organization. Find a rock star and promote the hell out of him - maybe the most outgoing barista at your coffee shop can grace a local magazine ad or do some radio shows and TV in the area to get the word out. You want your business to have a face. Steve Jobs and Apple. Bill Gates and Microsoft. You get the idea.

How often does tabloid buzz generate into real sales?

Tabloids have massive readerships, into the millions for even the mediocre ones. In addition, many people are influenced by what celebrities are buying, wearing and enjoying. In short, it has an impact on sales and will boost your bottom line. It also boosts traffic to your site in the short-term.

Do you think talent alone is enough to make it anymore?

No, which is why people need to learn how to become "buzzworthy". There was a time long, long ago when talent was maybe enough -- you would create amazing paintings or sculptures and word about you would spread from village to village. Eventually you would maybe snag a patron and you would be set.

Now it is different. Talent is nice to have, but ambition and visibility are equally crucial -- if not more so. Is Dan Brown really the best fiction writer in America? Maybe, but maybe not. Is Tobey Maguire really one of the best actors in the world? Things like this are hard to decide -- all that matters is your buzz and your impact... do millions of people go to see your movies, or not.

What would you say is the difference between buzz and hype?

Buzz is the real deal. Hype eventually bursts and you are left no richer or more famous than before.

The book is called "Dirty Little Secrets of Buzz", the back cover calls buzz a "black art." Why is there still a stigma on this when it is obviously how Hollywood and the Internet works?

Because a lot of people in media would still like to think that visibility should come after years of hard work, honing your craft, etc. In reality, buzz happens overnight. If it takes you years of networking, you are not doing it right.

When you talk to any average Joe, it seems everyone inevitably complains about the "talentless idiots" on television and splashed across supermarket checkout counters. These are the same people that seem to be buying tabloids and hitting all the gossip Web sites. What is going on here?

Jealousy, mostly.

If the tips in your book suddenly stop working tomorrow, what would be the next step in building buzz?

If the tips in my book were to suddenly stop working, it would mean we have bigger problems to deal with. Like a zombie invasion or a nuclear winter. Short of that, buzz works.

Do you feel like the Internet has over saturated the market for fame? It seems everyone has a book, clothing line, reality show,etc.

Everyone has a book or an online TV show or a podcast. Which is exactly why the payoff is so great when you rise above the noise. While others are getting 5 to 10 hits a day, you're getting a few million.

This interview will probably be mostly read by writers who want to promote their work. Do you have any advice specifically for freelance writers?

Focus on a niche you enjoy and know about. Do not try to be the expert on everything. Become the world-renowned writer/guru for a certain subject area, like gardening or reality TV or contemporary literature. We want experts who intrigue us and challenge our ideas.