Steps to build a fan base?

Step 1: Be interesting. Be genuinely entertaining, creative, sexy, funny, or thought-provoking. Have something to offer that people actually want, and that they can't get somewhere else. This is where 99.9% of would-be entertainers and YouTubers go wrong.

Step 2: Know your audience. Pick a subject and stick to it. There's no person on earth who wants your Minecraft tips AND cares about your political opinion. There are no stamp collecting enthusiasts who also are dying to know how you did your own brake job on your '08 Honda Civic.

Step 3: Choose a medium. Either write compelling articles, shoot engaging photo sets, or make entertaining videos. It is not reasonable to expect people to hop between Twitter, YouTube, Facebook, Instagram, and the dozens of other digital media outlets in order to keep up with what you're doing. Very famous people might be able to get away with this; you can't.

Step 4: Put some effort into production value. If you make a video, have a real camera. Don't try to hold your cell phone up and record yourself. If you make a video showing people how to change a tire, don't make people wait while you wander out of frame to get a different lug wrench or to wipe your hands off. Edit what you make, and don't make anything longer than it needs to be.

If you take photos, curate your set before you post it. Don't make people flip through a dozen versions of the same shot to find the one that looks the best. Every picture should be a great picture.

If you write, for god's sake, proofread and edit. For anything that reads like "omg you guys will nvr guess wut i did," not only do I stop reading, I block the author. Have something to say, use complete sentences and proper grammar, and write no more than what is necessary to get your point across. Illustrations and supporting photographs are helpful, but never add a picture that doesn't add to what you are writing. If it isn't necessary, leave it out.

Step 5: Get the word out. You're going to have to shamelessly promote yourself, at least in the beginning. There are so many people cranking out so much content that you can't rely on somebody coming across your stuff by accident. Tell your friends, and link to your content from your social media accounts.

Step 6: Be active, and be interactive. If you put out two videos and then nobody hears from you for six months, then everybody stops paying attention and you are forgotten. When you put out content, invite conversation about it and engage your viewers. Most digital outlets have a comment or reply section available; interact with commenters and keep the conversation going. Take requests for new content, and honor those if it is reasonable to do so. Treat making content like it's your job, and treat viewers like they're your guests.