First step, get noticed. Second step, keep getting noticed. Even if it's small, the momentum will build.

Become involved in your community, even if it's in seemingly small ways: help out with a parks and rec program, see about sponsoring a local theater troupe, something anything. Write to the local papers to see if they're interested in doing an article. Then about nine months later, nudge them again - or hit up a different publication (and have something different to talk about.)