Stir things up a bit: Voice your opinion and seek public debate and critique of your ideas, not just your designs. Of course, this is dependent on you having ideas in the first place. If you don’t, the best policy is to say nothing and let people read you as a deep thinker. If you do, try not to be too bombastic – you’ve been wrong before.
Work with the best and benefit by mutual association. Creative people spark when they are brought together. The results can be amazing, particularly since first-contact collaboration often involves non-commercial pieces intended to explore some common theme. Not only with the work speak volumes for both parties, there’s no need to feel self-conscious about singing the praises of your fellow creative.
You can’t just expect others to notice your inherent brilliance. No amount of social networking can replicate the power of human contact. Meet people face to face wherever possible and explain what makes you different. It’s impossible to convey your passion through the written world alone, so get yourself along to your favourite studios, press some flesh and put your face about.