How to Become A Local Celebrity

Fame is something that happens to other people, driving them into contact with other famous people and bringing them wealth. Even on a local level, it produces numerous benefits. Listed here are some steps that you can follow that will bring you fame, locally and otherwise, without having to be an American Idol contestant. Just remember, becoming famous is hard work, so is keeping that fame.

Raise Money

Raise money for a local charity. There are numerous deserving charities and the spokesman for the drive and the one who takes on the tough task of raising funds to replace regrettable but otherwise unavoidable cuts is bound to attract attention.

Charity Tournament

Establish a single sports event that benefits charity, such as a tennis or golf event. Try to line up at least one professional player to draw attention. Naturally, you'll be his or her liaison at all public events and will be shoulder-to-shoulder with the pro in all the publicity photos.

Politics

If politics is your interest, opportunity abounds. You can't phone this in. You'll need to accept organizational responsibility, but this will bring you close to the candidates. If you have money, donating to candidates will do as well.

Another political approach is to adopt a cause. Again you'll need to contribute a lot of effort, but there are, sorry to say, numerous causes to be found. Pick one and start publicizing your cause. Set up speaking events (the library and local clubs are always looking for speakers and many people fear public speaking), write letters to the editor, conduct a local poll and publish the results, hand out leaflets, book radio interviews, and smile for the TV camera.

Hobby Approach

Use your hobby interest to bring attention. First, of all, it can be the basis for a newspaper profile and you can write a magazine article or two. But it can also be the basis of a local newspaper column you can offer the editor, whether on cooking, travel, frugal tips, whatever. You can even slant the column to help you out by inviting input from readers or interviewing experts you come in contact with or by email.

Fame in a Swimsuit

Win a beauty contest, local, state, or national. An undeniable stepping stone to fame for numerous women from Oprah Winfrey (Miss Black Tennessee) and Sharon Stone (Miss Crawford County) through Halle Berry (Miss Ohio, USA) and Michelle Yeoh (Miss Malaysia). Winning provides immediate short-term benefits, as well. Some high school-age girls actually make it part of their strategy in lining up scholarship money. Competitions start at county fair level, work up through trade association pageants, all the way up to Miss America and Miss Universe.

Just Be Famous

Be a celebrity known for being famous. It worked for Paris Hilton. Here creativity counts. Write letters to the editor, send press releases about your trips out of state which can benefit by whatever about your trip might be unusual, send a press release out after you give a party, making sure the party is interesting.

A couple side issues:

A useful tool would be a skill Bob Hope had, a phenomenal memory for names and faces. Get one of those memory skills books and learn how to remember people's names. Also, take lessons on anything that can improve your confidence and character, whether computers, dancing, or politics. Get a press agent. Develop contacts. Develop a uniqueness that stands out but doesn't creep people out.

To be a national celebrity, you'll have to seriously consider moving to Los Angeles or New York, or, short of that, some other large metropolitan area. There are famous people who live in small towns, but you need to examine what makes them celebrities, and it won't be the Paris Hilton approach.

Attract good luck by meeting people, talking to them. The more people you know, the more likely, when a problem arises, that one of those people is only a single step away from providing resolution. My dad once attended a meeting and made a point of introducing himself and shaking hands with everyone as they waited. When a leader for the group was needed, they elected dad because he was the only person in the room they knew.