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Do You Have An Audience Or An Influence?

February 10, 2013 by 45 Comments
Mark Masters

Mark Masters

Managing Director of Bournemouth based creative marketing company, The ID Group. Helping to position businesses as the authority in their industry and providing advice, opinion and guidance for brands to be the 'go to' choice.
Mark Masters

@heyidgroup

Owner of creative marketing ID Group. Positioning businesses as the 'go to' company in their sector. Here's tips and opinion just for you http://bit.ly/TEjK7o
Our equivalent of 'my friend went to "name of place" and all I got was this lousy t-shirt' #poole http://t.co/DDMAxyWM5W - 13 hours ago
Mark Masters
You can get your own content published on this site as long as you have CommentLuv installed on your site.

Doing so means you get exposure to thousands and thousands of other CommentLuv users and your posts get sent out to the massive subscriber list.

Google loves this site and indexes it multiple times per day and posts always get lots of comments so you can be sure of some excellent exposure.

See the Write For Us page for more details

btw.. you can get this author box here

What's Your Influence?

What’s Your Influence?

So the list of Twitter followers, LinkedIn connections, Facebook “˜likes’ are growing healthily, but does this mean anything at all?

Is this merely building an audience to interact with, or is it much stronger to have an influence within your audience?

Being Seen As Reputable

By using the word influence, I’m not talking via a computer deciding how engaging you are (take a bow Klout, Twitter Grader, Twitalyzer and other measuring tools), but how others see you as reputable and spreading the gospel according to YOU. Having a large number of followers provides an audience, but it doesn’t necessarily make you influential.

The thing is, it doesn’t matter how many followers you have, or Facebook “˜likes,’ (boy I hate that word) or LinkedIn connections, what matters is that those you are addressing are listening to you and willing to interact and participate. This then helps build your influence and then create advocacy within your community.

The Nine Ways To Being Influential

Here are nine defining traits for someone who has the “˜influential gene’:

  1. Express themselves in a way that people will understand and invite interaction with. People need to adopt your intentions and it needs to be as clear as possible.
  2. Stand up for something that is different. If you are the same as everyone else, you merely blend into the crowd.
  3. Target the right audience, by being seen as providing a clear solution to their problem. Is it to make their lives better? Is it to make them more profitable? Is it to give peace of mind? Is it to make them leaders?
  4. Your audience begin to regard you as being different from other alternatives on offer and in turn, inherently better.
  5. Your audience can clearly see that your intentions are to solve problems, and not purely the “˜sell.’
  6. You have an opinion that has clarity. It doesn’t have to be controversial for the sake of it, but to stand up for what you believe in.
  7. You encourage a flow of conversation and take a responsibility to listen and then interact.
  8. Your audience sees you as someone who is approachable, has personality, and most importantly is human.
  9. Your audience understand that you have a passion for your industry and regarded as an expert in your field.

Those who build influence, win. The whole world begins to be transformed, Twitter becomes more like a club and Facebook is seen as a members only privilege. Your advocates stay with you and to help, harness and grow.

Creating authenticity, passion and building an influence is one of the most powerful tools to build support and success.

Image courtesy of sjaustin (Flickr) 

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Filed Under: Business, Guest Bloggers, Marketing, Social Media Tagged With: , , , ,

Comments

  1. Anita Mac says:
    February 10, 2013 at 3:37 pm

    I agree….the number of likes, followers and Klout score don’t always mean as much as engaged readership and sharing of information. I prefer the people who have good interaction in their comments over number of twitter followers! As a travel blogger…one of the most gratifying parts of what I do is when I receive emails or comments with questions or thanks for a tip I have given or an introduction to a place or activity!

    Reply
  2. Samuel Pustea says:
    February 10, 2013 at 4:09 pm


    Twitter:
    Solving great problems in your respective niche is going to give great influence.

    Also being very unique in your content is also another step to take.
    Samuel Pustea recently posted..14 Bloggers To Watch For In 2013!My Profile

    Reply
  3. Ravi says:
    February 10, 2013 at 4:13 pm


    Twitter:
    In order to become unpredictable and Reputed person in your niche you must Improve yourself constantly otherwise Competitors will Predict you or Will have become your COmpetition
    Ravi recently posted..How to choose a Good Portable Hard Drive?My Profile

    Reply
    • Mark Masters says:
      February 11, 2013 at 9:10 am


      Twitter:
      Hi Ravi,

      If you look to improve yourself, constantly then agreed it does keep you ahead of the competition.

      I have found that one of the key aspects to this has been a constant commitment to learning. Everything is now at our fingertips, so why not take advantage of it!
      Mark Masters recently posted..How Do Infographics Work?My Profile

      Reply
  4. Fred Henning says:
    February 10, 2013 at 7:49 pm


    Twitter:
    Mark,

    People know the difference between being lectured to and being taught. They are contrasting methods of delivering of ideas. People are much more likely to be influenced by the latter.

    Not only are your nine insightful points valid for an addressing a group or audience, but also for just plain, good ol’ conversation with a friend or acquaintance. Friends don’t lecture.

    You shared some great insights in this post. I enjoyed reading it.

    Fred
    Fred Henning recently posted..Create a Lasting One Minute Conversation in SecondsMy Profile

    Reply
    • Mark Masters says:
      February 11, 2013 at 9:12 am


      Twitter:
      Hi Fred,

      Glad you enjoyed the post. If we can influence others, as opposed to purely dictating messages, then it opens up a whole new realm of trust.

      You’re right, nothing here is new, it’s just a way of adjusting to a digital world with some good old fashioned values.

      Thanks for your comment

      Mark
      Mark Masters recently posted..How Do Infographics Work?My Profile

      Reply
  5. Joe S. says:
    February 10, 2013 at 9:55 pm


    Twitter:
    I’d like to think that I am a sound voice in the world of Auto Detailing. My blog is gaining strong traction and is doing great things. I would like to think I have voice in my community. The jury is still out!

    Reply
  6. Jacob Arvin says:
    February 10, 2013 at 11:10 pm

    I think one way of building influence while also being mindful of SEO techniques is to have as few advertisements on your site as possible. Instead, elect to have affiliate links which are easily cloaked. This will also make your website be perceived as more reputable, which as you mentioned is an extremely significant factor when trying to increase product sales.
    Jacob Arvin recently posted..Pinned SEO Suite Review: Utilizing PinterestMy Profile

    Reply
  7. Leon says:
    February 10, 2013 at 11:40 pm


    Twitter:
    My opinion is strong so I think it helps me with blogs. I’ve noticed a lot of debate when I have posted some of my wedding photography blog posts on Linkedin. I wouldn’t necessarily say I have an audience yet because I do not get consistent comments. I think I will get there eventually.
    Leon recently posted..Make Your Special Day An Unplugged WeddingMy Profile

    Reply
  8. Jason says:
    February 11, 2013 at 1:37 am

    I think its very important to have both an audience and a influence. First you need an audience who will actually listen to what you have to say. Then if you seem like you are an expert in your field, you can possibly have a following or influence people.
    Jason recently posted..Shiba Inu Husky Mix – The Coolest Dog Ever!My Profile

    Reply
  9. Mike Howg says:
    February 11, 2013 at 2:17 am


    Twitter:
    These are some really great tips. If you want to have any kind of influence then you’re going to need strong opinions. Don’t be afraid to say what’s on your mind. I have a lot more respect for someone who actually picks a side and explains why they think that way.
    Mike Howg recently posted..Buy Blog Posts For Five DollarsMy Profile

    Reply
  10. Googma Sansar says:
    February 11, 2013 at 5:54 am


    Twitter:
    Hi ! Thank you for your beautiful and pragmatic presentation. Social meida help to boost traffics as well as readers but it may not help to sell your products.

    Reply
  11. Ray says:
    February 11, 2013 at 6:41 am

    I am not a big fan of the grading and measuring tools. I don’t know that they necessarily make you more influential or make you helpful person for that matter either. People like numbers though, and when they have the numbers sometimes they like to let you know. To me numbers don’t always matter, and I usually don’t pay that much attention to them. I figure they can have small numbers and stats and still know what they are talking about.
    Ray recently posted..Can You Really Unplug?My Profile

    Reply
  12. Pankaj says:
    February 11, 2013 at 7:04 am


    Twitter:
    Really useful points Mark,

    You need to create audience, which could influence with your words. It’s only possible if you can build trust for yourself.
    Pankaj recently posted..Mobile Recharge Software FreelancersMy Profile

    Reply
  13. Arun says:
    February 11, 2013 at 7:12 am


    Twitter:
    Creating audience with social networking is really painful. But once you have enough followers, 70% work is done.

    Reply
  14. Lisa Gibson says:
    February 11, 2013 at 9:24 am


    Twitter:
    I gained a lot from your article. I hope that I am succeeding in doing both! I will use your advice to better my site! Thank you!
    Lisa Gibson recently posted..Lisa on Bulldog Feingold Radio ShowMy Profile

    Reply
  15. Rajkumar Jonnala says:
    February 11, 2013 at 2:13 pm


    Twitter:
    Yup getting more number of comments can only show that blog has readers, not the Facebook likes or any other thing that could decide the traffic.

    Reply
  16. Justin Musiker says:
    February 11, 2013 at 8:15 pm


    Twitter:
    Great post Mark, i agree, some people get so tied up in growing followers and likes, that they lose focus in the actual point. It is great to have a huge following, but what does that do for you.
    Justin Musiker recently posted..CommentLuv Premium Detailed ReviewMy Profile

    Reply
  17. Mark Masters says:
    February 11, 2013 at 9:41 pm


    Twitter:
    Thanks Justin,

    Agree with your sentiment, a huge following can mean absolutely nothing of relevance when no one is listening to you. I know people who have bought Twitter followers so basically throwing money away by shouting at a wall.

    Glad you enjoyed the post

    Mark
    Mark Masters recently posted..How Do Infographics Work?My Profile

    Reply
  18. Julidarma says:
    February 11, 2013 at 10:12 pm


    Twitter:
    This is hard question, but very interesting and important. Audience and influence is very importance in business.
    Julidarma recently posted..The Effective Way To Lose Weight With Green CoffeeMy Profile

    Reply
  19. Werry Adnan says:
    February 12, 2013 at 5:04 am


    Twitter:
    Being reputable is essential today. I’m agree with you that being reputable is more important than having huge amount of followers or likes. Nowadays, followers or like can be bought but not the reputation. One of the best way to become reputable is by making good interaction with your followers or audience. thanks mark for share this information
    Werry Adnan recently posted..Jual Jersey Grade OriMy Profile

    Reply
  20. joanna says:
    February 12, 2013 at 8:15 am

    interesting way to put it across if we have jus a mere audience or an influence. sometimes with all the hype about social media, most businesses and blogs are jus more concerned about the quantity rather than the quality

    Reply
  21. harshi says:
    February 13, 2013 at 11:10 am


    Twitter:
    This post is very influential too ! adding on with the nest content possible !! i like this post alot and went on reading thrice !
    harshi recently posted..Best apps on Lumia in the Market Place!My Profile

    Reply
  22. Mark Masters says:
    February 13, 2013 at 9:23 pm


    Twitter:
    Hi Soniya,

    The word unique content is sooooo important. Thanks for pointing that out.

    Mark
    Mark Masters recently posted..How Do Infographics Work?My Profile

    Reply
  23. Prakash says:
    March 25, 2013 at 6:56 pm


    Twitter:
    We should build up our audience. Writing quality content for them is essential. Nice post.
    Prakash recently posted..Facebook Login | Facebook Sign up | Facebook Sign inMy Profile

    Reply
  24. Sudipto says:
    May 3, 2013 at 12:19 pm

    Hey Mark,
    Nice post and Thanks for sharing this post with us. For building audience for our blog is quite tough task and for this we have to update our blog regularly and also have to make good relations with our readers.
    Sudipto recently posted..Best Android Phone Under 10000My Profile

    Reply

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