Good LORD in heaven above, there’s a lot of NOISE out there!

 
Trying to get noticed online (or offline, for that matter) can feel damn-near impossible, at times.

You’re a quiet, kind-hearted little sprinkling of stardust, in a monstrous cacophony of chatter, demands, and ooh-new-shiny! offers.

So, what’s a highly-ambitious (but-not-shouty-and-gross) person to do?
 

BE. EXQUISITELY. DIFFERENT.

 
Really. That’s it.
If everyone else is emailing … don’t email.
If everyone else is cold-calling … don’t call.
If everyone else is doing purple this season … bring back neon green.
Be strategically contrarian.
 

A few (real) examples from my life, to show you precisely what I mean:

 
Instead of emailing to ask if you can interview Fancy Blogger Lady for your blog, podcast or telesummit …

Send a bundle of colorful pens & a mysterious, Crayola-scribbled note with a link to a secret site,
with all the fabulous interview details.

Instead of emailing to thank Cool Entrepreneur Chick for filling your inbox with inspiration …

Send a personalized postcard, with a picture of your stuffed teddy bear.

Instead of emailing to invite a potential mentor or creative partner to lunch …

Make a list of the top 100 people you want to wine & dine before you die. The next time your object of affection Googles themself
(as, ahem, they undoubtedly will) … they’ll find you.

Instead of writing a long, drawn out, tell-your-entire-life-story-and-a-half introduction to your philanthropic project …

Post one simple, powerful, impeccably designed video.

Instead of blasting out a mass email to your mailing list, to pitch a new service or package …

Reach out to a handful of holy-fuck-dream-clients, with an under-the-radar, deeply personal invitation.
“I created NEW THING XYZ with someone like you, in mind. Want in?”

Instead of emailing Sought-After Humanoid of the Moment to request a contribution for your e-book (in the hopes that they’ll, y’know, tweet about it later) …

Just QUOTE them in your book, and then write to simply say, “thank you for being part of the inspiration behind MyAwesomeBook.com.”
 

To sum it up:

 
Be UNMISTAKABLE.
Make a bit of SPECTACLE.
When in doubt, err on the side of HAND-MADE, HIGH-STYLE, HEART-SPUN QUIRKDOM.
GIVE first. ASK later.
And whether you email, snail mail or send a smoke signal, keep your initial missive SHORRRRRT.
(Seduce ‘em with your VISION & ENTHUSIASM. Save the logistics for later.)
 

Invert expectations — and you’ll be golden.

Yes? Good. Go get noticed.