How To Be An Internet-Famous Web Debutante
Internet Week is winding down a bit today, the only official item on tonight’s agenda is the Webutante Ball, hosted by Richard Blakeley and Jessica Amason. Blakeley is the video editor for Gawker, and Amason is a professional blogger, writing for The Frisky and Urlesque.com. Most recently, they achieved the blogger’s holy grail by scoring a book deal with Harper Collins for their food blog, “This Is Why You’re Fat.”
The Webutante Ball is the kind of self referential event that people outside of this particular group of Tumblr addicted New Yorkers will likely not really “get.” But, even if you don’t get it, there is an open vodka bar from 6 - 7 which will probably make you feel better. If you’re wondering how to become a “webutante”, here is a handy guide, using the actions of those nominated for Webutante King & Queen as standards:
1. Work for online video site, College Humor.
Three College Humor stars have been nominated: Sarah Schneider, Ricky Van Veen and Amir Blumenfeld. This will make you very visible and show that you are funny, or at least willing to humiliate yourself.
2. Always toot your own horn.
It’s hard to know where to start with Webutante queen nominee Julia Allison, but if there’s one thing she’s good at, it’s the fact that we even know her name to begin with. If you’re going to be a web celebrity, you must self promote like crazy. Start by reading Julia’s cover story for Wired, written about her skill at self promotion.
3. Be an attractive criminal
Kari Ferrell, the “Hipster Grifter” captivated our hearts for a few days when The Observer broke a story about a young lady who had gotten hired on the spot at VICE magazine and was then fired when a co-worker finally Googled her name after she had started flirting with him. It turns out her former state of Utah had a warrant out for her arrest. After that, the flood gates opened and multiple reports surfaced of all the hearts and wallets she had swindled.
4. Find a big platform to speak on.
Your personal blog may not get you the attention you want. You need something bigger with which to become famous. Caroline McCarthy and Richard Lawson write for CNET and Gawker, respectively. And Webutant queen nominee Rachel Sklar used to write for the Huffington Post.
5. Have a very public relationship (and a public fall out)
This is probably the best thing you can do if you want to become a true webutante. Without naming names, several of the nominees have had very visible entanglements (some of the nominees have even dated each other!) and as you would expect, when it’s over, it gets ugly. However, if you are committed to being an Internet celebrity, this is part of the gig.
The Webutante Ball is tonight, June 5, at the rooftop of the Empire Hotel in New York City. Rain or shine.
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