Do you follow a bunch of different people online who describe themselves as influencers? What does that mean to you? I am curious how all of us get hooked on doing so many things by others. I would like for each of us to be legitimate influencers to those around us in good and healthy ways. Each one, teach one!
influencer: (normal definition) a person or thing that influences another.
influencer: (modern definition) a person with the ability to influence potential buyers of a product or service by promoting or recommending the items on social media.
(definitions according to Oxford Languages)
Where it all began.
The term “social media influencer” actually started sometime in the mid-2000s by “mommy bloggers.” These bloggers would share advice on products related to all things parenting and also within the home. Brands started sponsoring these people who had a large following online.
Their social media presence and popularity gave them credibility in specific industries. Next, they were able to persuade their followers to purchase the brands they pitched on the different platforms they had. That is certainly powerful advertising! The message is conveyed by someone that people seem to look up to.
What message are these people sending? The message to purchase something they probably didn’t need to impress people they don’t even like. Why do we keep doing this? We just keep accumulating stuff.
I would like to change the narrative. My thoughts are, why can’t we all use our power of goodness to inspire others to do better in their lives? I love the idea of community helping community. A new shop opens in town go and be a patron. I did this with a donut shop in my area that I was excited to open! I went in as soon as I could and I purchased a dozen variety donuts.
Some really expensive donuts.
It was $24 dollars for a dozen and I did it anyway because I wanted to contribute. I believe it was the right thing to do. The donuts were horrible! But in the end, I want to see all of us thrive together as we should.
We need to really rally together and support each other. There is no better feeling than seeing people I know become successful. One of our followers has several businesses and I pitched them on my social media. I hope that it could even give them one new customer out of it.
Be a legit influencer! Influence the people around you to do better in their lives. Teach them some of your good skills and then ask for them to teach others as they go. Influencing people to do things can come naturally to some, so why not do it for all the right reasons?
In this day in age, we really need to stop looking to those cheesy reality TV stars for what we should do with our lives and we should look to inspire others to go after their dreams. Let’s think outside the box on this one really.
We have all different types of celebrations, right? We have wedding showers, baby showers, graduation parties, and we even have divorce parties! What the heck happened to our society? When was the last time you were invited to go to a friend’s newly opened business party?
This would be a great idea to support our friends and instead of asking for discounts on their newfound business, we should instead bring a gift! Yeah, a gift! How about a new coffee maker for their break room? Or better yet, pool money together and get them a well-designed business computer with a printer! Hey, it’s a thought. Let’s be part of a solution! By the way, the idea of the business party wasn’t mine, I actually saw it online somewhere and thought it was cool.
Conclusion
Be a legit influencer to the people who follow you. That’s it. Nothing but good stuff! I am in service to help others.
