Remember High School? There were kids that stood out,the popular ones. Someone would speak their name and everyone would say "yeah, I've heard about him/her". Popularity was everything. Well, the times may have changed but the basic concept is the same. Popularity is alive and well on the Internet.

So what makes some businesses/people stand out online while others fade off into the Internet haze?There's a method to this madness and I'm going to explain it to you.

Pretend you were a resident in the XYZ community. Now how would you make yourself known as part of the neighborhood? Maybe by associating with your neighbors, participating in community groups, maybe even running for council. You could stay home and just keep to yourself, but no one will know who you are or what you stand for. It's the same online.

The Internet may be a different kind of neighborhood,but it's still a community of people, and it functions on the same principals. In order to get your business or name out there, you need to create a buzz. To create that buzz you need to get involved in various online activities. You should be doing some, or all of the following on a weekly basis to get your name out there amongst the people.

1. Post to various web based bulletin boards

2. Publish your own Ezine/Newsletter

3. Make sure you include a script on your homepage that allows visitors to recommend your site to their friends with just a click. Referrals from friends carry a lot of weight, so you really should be taking advantage of this one.

4. Writing short articles and getting them published in various newsletters- Take it from me this one works. Nothing will establish you as an expert or send you as much traffic as getting published. Once people see your name popping up over and over, they just have to visit your website if just only out of curiosity.

5. Network with the "Top Online Players' By hanging out with the successful people you can learn a lot as well as bask in part of their spotlight. Don't be afraid to ask them to partner with you or run an ad for you endorsing your product or service. You'd be surprised at the number of people who will help you online if you just ask.

So, now you think that creating an online presence is a lot of hard work? Well, you're right, it is! But with anything in life, you get out of it what you put into it.

Creating an online identity is one of the most important things you can do for yourself online. Along with an identity comes a sense of trust. When people trust you, they will want to become your customers and buy your products and services. After all, that's why you're online in the first place, isn't it? Now, who are you again...