DANCES WITH FAME. Seems the topic of "fame" and perceived "fame" has arisen several times in the past few days, and in recent months, it appears that it's easier to become famous than land a decent, secure job. In defense of my own statement, I believe that a level of fame can be the answer to a level of security down-the-road. Allow me to explain: Frat-Boy Connection: More you know... more know you. Or is it vice-versa? It's what I call the frat-boy or "good-ol'-boy" network of which I've been an outsider for most of my life. The concept is simple: network with the people you know, because this is your most valuable resource. If you're good at what you do, people respect that, and are willing to network for you. The more people that know you the greater your fame... more people that position you in their mind as "great", the greater level of value that fame embodies. It's common branding. Create it. Creating fame through your brand, message, and position. In this tumultuous and downsizing economy, I've worked with quite a few companies, organizations, and individuals on getting their "brand", "message" together. We all have something to sell. Let's be ourselves and thoughtfully figure out what people might want from us, and what we're willing to offer. In that order. FameCaseStudy#1: mscinny... fame in reverse. While working with cinny developing her site, we truly didn't know what she had "sell" at first . It wasn't obvious. We simply created the "mscinny" brand, and let it roll from there. Recently laid-off from her executive adminstrative position at BigBlue, what could she offer an audience? In that role, not much. Since our development resources were limitless, we decided to simply create a venue where she could voice her opinions and share her warm and personable stories of her daily adventures. A veteran in the technology world, and a fan of local music, cinny shares with the world vignettes of personal of her experiences with people such as: bigtime rockstars she meets, local bands, technology gurus, friends she meets via the Internet, to that everyday guy that has a story to share. She elevates each of these people to a status of "celebrity". In return, she retains fame. A promotion machine of the common man. Reality for her becomes entertainment for you. With the friends and family of those she includes in her chronicles of life, her audience grows. The eventual hope is that one of these individuals, or someone they know, will need services she can render. This administrative assistant with a love of local music, has attained a level of "celebrity" by being herself. A perpetual promotion machine that focused on others more than herself... and in the process, she is entertained as well as having a venue to create and vent. God bless the web. FameCaseStudy#2: seanrox... thru mixed affiliation. Being a creative media professional, my work strongly influences the perception of my own persona. For some people, distinguishing between the my creation and my personality is sometimes difficult. Working with CJ, a very popular adult shock-humor and entertainment site, the perception of me is much different than my work with a design account for PrimroseSchools, the web site for a chain of high-class childcare centers . Two very different projects, two very different audiences. This *should* show my dexterity in creativity and design and not idolize my personality. Mixed perception. Perception is everything. Am I considered the curator of edgey-design for a dedicated audience of millions? Or a designer with an ability to sink his teeth into a brand to convey a message? Either way... this associated fame could become limiting as a designer, and can introduce a level of complexity in my own perceived celebrity. Re-establishing the creative seanrox brand. With this new Version 5.0 of seanrox.com, for the first time, I'm attempting to blend my professional and personal lives. The focus: creativity. Creativity in visual design and comfort in open, creative thought. All I have to "sell" is what I am willing to offer. I offer creative thought and production. *That* is what I want the perception to be. Having worked on projects in virtually every industry, I've realized, I enjoyed them all and each gave me insight on how to effectively handle the next. Future of seanrox.com As I plan the future of seanrox, there aren't barriers in morality. In the end, for me, it's enjoying the work I do. Whether for heavy-industry, technology, entertainment... if my interest is there, as am I. As the reality of the seanrox persona and brand become more complex with the addition of music, fine-art, broadband media, the brand with simplify. Odd, isn't it? As you gain more fame, the less you must explain it... that's the answer. The key is for people to know that when they need creativity... one word: seanrox. Snicker as you will... the point for me is... the time to network is always now, and the more people that know about me the more secure my future will be. Now, let us end in a prayer. ;) peace- seanrox PS... AdamCurry's MTV Chronicles He's got the beginning of a good idea. (but his design sucks ass, sorry adam.)