Want to become an internet star? Here's how

If you have ever dreamed of becoming a Youtube sensation, or have listened to podcasts and thought, "I can do that," well — you actually can.

Becoming internet-famous is easier than ever, according to CBC tech correspondent Jamey Ordolis. Thanks to smartphones and simple recording and editing programs like GarageBand and Final Cut Pro, anybody can become a Youtube or podcast star as long as they have a stellar idea.

"The real starting place is deciding what you're going to do and why you're going to do it," Ordolis told North By Northwest's Sheryl Mackay.

"It's going to be work even if it's fun, even if it's a passion project. You need to be consistent, you need to have consistent output. You don't want to start something and then just drop it. You need to make sure you love it."

Here are Ordolis' tips on how to become the producer and star of your own online show.

Find your niche

"Don't think about making a podcast or a Youtube show that is going to get the biggest audience," Ordolis said.

"Find your niche and then explore that community. Do something that you really are passionate about, that you're going to have fun making, and then focus on how to make that content really, really great."

Keep the production simple

Don't over-embellish when it comes to the video or audio, Ordolis says.

"So not over produced, where you're trying to do what professionals do, but you don't have the resources or the experience and you're missing the mark, which would almost make your thing look and sound more amateur-ish."

Good sound, lighting and background are key

"Keep in mind even if you're using a smart phone,which does shoot in HD, get a tripod for stability," Ordolis said.

"You can buy a wireless lavalier mic for good sound and if you can't afford proper lighting, make sure you're shooting with natural light, and pick a nice background — indoor or out — or shoot with a room behind you that looks nice."

Make your content relevant and long-lasting

Your audience needs to be able to relate to your video or podcast, or to take something away from it, said Ordolis.

"Even though you want to be topical in that you want to talk about things that are trending, that people care about, you still want your content to be evergreen in that as you are building a following, when you're 10 episodes in and I'm discovering you for the first time ... I can still go back to your first podcast and you're still relevant."

Keep it short

Your audience's attention needs to be captured within the first few seconds, so keep things short and sweet, said Ordolis.

"Pick a length that is manageable for you to produce, first of all, and manageable for your audience to consume, and then edit, edit, edit until it's all killer, no filler."

Listen to the full interview: Tips for internet stardom