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Influencers Create Conversation
Conversation is an often overused buzzword, and too often, it is not considered properly. For instance, simply talking in open dialogue about an issue does not create influence. Conversation is as much about dialogue as it is about channeling the thoughts and dreams of the participants into an effective stream of consciousness that enhances a position.
Conversation is not meant to be a manipulative thing. In other words, influencers do not set about to validate their own position by getting similar mindsets to rubber stamp their own thinking. Influencers tend to mine the collective consciousness of their audience and distill those ideas into sane, proactive action.
In the 1960s, at the height of the civil rights movement, there was a definite “conversation” happening in America around the role of race in American politics and culture. From Brown v. Board of Education to Rosa Parks to the Birmingham Riots, it was clear there was a dissenting opinion in America.
“Influencers tend to mine the collective consciousness of their audience and distill those ideas into sane, proactive action.”
Out of this dissent came a leader who so effectively channeled the hopes and dreams of the people he led, that when he gave his “I have a Dream Speech” on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial, over 200,000 people showed up.
Martin Luther King, Jr. channeled this crowdsourced conversation so well, that it cost him his life, yet to this day he rises above the rest as the most powerful influencer of the civil rights movement. He did it with a message of peace and respect saying, “I have a dream that one day on the red hills of Georgia the sons of former slaves and the sons of former slaveowners will be able to sit down together at a table of brotherhood.” It was impossible for this message to not influence and bring along men and women who disagreed with him. Even though it is clear that America still has a ways to go before this dream is fully realized, it is undeniable that King had a tremendous influence on American society and culture.
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I doesn’t take much skill/ talent/ ability to be a celebrity any more- but to be an influencer, or to actually make an impact on the people around you takes much more skill and finesse.
I do a few things to try to keep my own little brand identity- I use the same “handle” or screen name on every site i use, and I try to use the same profile picture, and recently I was recognised at a local blog meetup- and I feel that there is value in doing all these things- but I am working on becoming more of an influencer moving forward.
At some point I decided I’d rather be the guy with something valuable to add to the community, than the guy with 3 million hits on a youtube video where I wreck a 4-wheeler.
Arron,
It is a rare where I find a philosophy that closely mirrors mine. I see that some of traits mentioned are natural for me and a few I have to work on.
I congratulate you on a very well written blog (article); one that I’ll be proud to refer to my kindred friends.
Ed
Aaron,
I have to agree with what Ed said. It’s truly a great article, and I am spreading it out to everyone I know. Good job!
Excellent. Off to go link it on WW.
Great observations, I enjoyed the blog.
Cool. Thanks for the insight. “It’s been said, even, that character is what we are when no one is looking.” – outrageous but true.
Aaron,
Fantastic stuff. Timeless and timely. I’ll add a link on my blog, because I think folks in my biz, local television news, could use a refresher on engaging people. We’ve been taught for so long (entire careers for some) that we do our thing, and the audience will always be there. It’s not anymore. You need, as you suggest, to offer something to people.
Thanks again for sharing your insight.
Mark
To quote the great philosopher Bono: “This is just f*cking brilliant.”
Mark: Thank you, sir.
Andrew: That is why I love Bono.
Great observation! Good stuff, Aaron.
Great points, I agree completely.
I made it through the whole article and it was very informative. I am pretty energized by it and look forward to your keynote at IZEAFest. You really took your time and crafted a well thought out article with some great points. I have yet to read Dale Carnegie’s book, I started once but didn’t get too far, I think it is time to try again.
This is a very insightful paragraph:
“To be an influencer, you’re going to have to balance that self brand, personal marketing for the sake of being known with providing absolute, unquestioned value to the greater community. Carrying the mantle of an influencer means being a celebrity for the community. It means always giving of yourself so that the rest of the crowd benefits. It’s almost self-sacrificial, flying in the face of personal brand or celebrity.”
This phenomenon is due to human biology and social habits, every day our actions and thoughts are derived from others around and before us. Intellectuals are followers of previous intellectuals and commoners are followers of popular figures. However, one cannot say that we are brainless, but rather we belong to a massive network making up an overall societal “mind”. We never truly die, we each have significant effects on society that ripple and cascade endlessly.
Well done! I have been writing “traditionally” for some time and just recently joined the social media world. It can get a bit disheartening for those new to the scene to feel that they are competing with someone with 3,000 followers. Thank you for helping put all of this into perspective in a sound, academic article. I will certainly be sharing this with others.