Dearest client,
Ah, what a relatable question. I’m sure this inquiry has run through every pubescent teenagers’ heads before at some point or another. In a day and age wherein social media and “clout” is put on such a high pedestal, our self-worth slowly becomes defined by how many Instagram followers we have, or how many likes we can garner on WeChat moments, or how much traction any of our creative media could receive. We look at those glamorous people on our feed and think “wow, I wish I was like that.” Then we see their logistics and comments on their posts, and think “wow, I really wish I was like that.” Perhaps it is a way of gaining attention or feeling special, and that’s why we hold something as trivial as a digital number in such a high regard.
Either way, I’m getting off-topic. I could go on and on about even just the concept of internet fame, but not only is that probably going to sound pretentious, it also doesn’t answer your question. So really, how do you get more clout?
PUT YOUR BACK INTO IT, KID! If you’re making content for the internet and you want to garner a following from it, be prepared to put a lot of time and effort into making it happen. “Blowing up overnight” is a myth. Look into any consistently famous person at all, and you’ll see how hard they had to work and how much time it took to even happen. Whether it’s editing Instagram photos, coming up with funny tweets, or generating unique concepts for any other platform you use, the golden rule stays the same: how are you going to get where you want to be without making any substantial progress in that direction?
KNOW HOW TO MARKET YOURSELF, and I’m not just talking about appearance-wise (I can string along a couple of paragraphs reiterating all that “inner beauty” jargon, but let’s be real, being attractive already puts you a step ahead literally anywhere you go, including the internet). Sure, appearances may be important especially if you’re trying to gain clout from it, but there are a bajillion pretty people in this world, and if you’re trying to “blow-up,” standing there and being super hot just isn’t going to cut it. No, I’m talking about writing interesting titles/captions for your posts, tagging things right and thinking about how to maximize social media algorithms, and highlighting the strengths of your personality. Remember that behind every significant and loyal fanbase is a group of real people with real lives—keep them hooked with your consistent energy and high-quality content.
FOLLOW TRENDS. I know, I know. The large majority of them are childish and cringy, but the people have spoken, and they are hyperfixated on whatever new fad is in. They’ll be scouring every corner of the internet for it, looking for crumbs regarding this new thing that they deem is cool. For you, this means a quick and easy way to up your follow-count, especially if your take on the trend is creative and excellently done. Note: this will probably be most effective on platforms such as TikTok or even YouTube, as that’s really where you have ample space to showcase your contribution to the bandwagon.
I hope this has somewhat helped in your journey to internet fame. When you’ve got reporters and journalists knocking on your door asking you for your backstory and how you “made it,” do refer them back to this humble Dear Letterbox response. And then tell them to buzz off, because your private life is exactly that: private.
Our sincerest regards,
Dear Letterbox