As I continue my adventure, process and journey with social networking both for business and personal, I am intrigued by this designation, of being a “social influencer?” Are you?
This got me off on a thought tangent. Who anointed people as such? What is the criteria people use for qualifying people for this?
People of influence are all around us. Many of them are under the radar, unexpected and unassuming people, who may not even be on social media and have big followers, friends, and communities on social media or blogs. Having a presence on these social platforms certainly helps, but it’s what people do that has impact. They find a need, are driven by their passion and they consistently perform acts of kindness on as many people as they can.
By definition an ” influencer” is a noun: “The capacity or power of persons or things to be a compelling force on or produce effects on the actions, behavior, opinions on others.”
Hey folks, there are a “bad influencers” and “good influencers”- Dahmer, McVey, Hitler influenced others in a very bad way! Check out this “Top Ten Evil” list.
I saw a feature on MSNBC, about Christopher Rockefeller, who created a totally false persona, and scammed lots of people out of lots of money until he was busted. How the hell did he get away with it for several years? Didn’t anyone check him out, or because he had a Rockefeller name and ran in the right circles, they just assumed he was what he said he was?
One person went online to research Chris Rockefeller, and found out there was a Chris Rockefeller, from the prominent family, but he had died several years prior. This Chris guy acted out this whole masquerade and people bought into it and handed over “cash” money to him without checking him out!
My rant and tangent point is… an influencer is, and should be, the result of being a LEADER that influences others in a compelling way for good, not bad. It’s the good we do everyday to make a difference in people’s lives by serving them personally and professionally.
Influence is NOT about a BIG empty external persona, but more about a BIG internal, authentic, kind, real persona that uses it to do good.
There are so many thought and action leaders today, who are, through their eclectic experience, wisdom and great work harnessing it to help others. It’s perfectly OK to make some money as a result of it, as demonstrated with Steve Jobs, Richard Branson, Bill Gates, Oprah, Angelina.
Here are the 2011 CNN heroes, that truly exemplifies what being an influencer is all about.
Smallbiztrends.com is hosting their 2012 Small Business Influencer Awards.
Forbes listed their Top 10 Influencers in the Business of Sports and they are NOT athletes!
Do you wonder how to get a thought and action leaders attention? Here’s an article from Tamar Weinberg “How to Get an Influencer’s Attention.” Influence is everywhere, but it’s up to each one of us to live it, spot it, attract it and share it.
Who are the “thought and action leaders” that are influencing you?
How are you using your leadership and influence to do good?
Author:
Deborah Shane is career author, branding/media strategist, nationally published writer and speaker. She hosts her Toolbox Blog and a popular weekly business radio show that has over 42K downloads! She is a regular contributor to several national blogs and websites, including Smallbiztrends.com, MonsterWorking.com, Blogher.com, Personalbrandingblog.com. Her book Career Transition-make the shift is available on Amazon.com and all major book sellers. Deborah delivers smart, no-nonsense ideas and solutions, which make her a popular go-to resource for national media including CNN, CBS, Fox. Engage with her @DeborahShane, and visit her at www.deborahshane.com.
