Hi Cringers,
I’ve been thinking a lot recently about influence, who has it, who doesn’t, who wants it, who doesn’t, why they want it, why they don’t…you get the idea.
When I share that I help people build their reputations for a living, I often get responses like, “I could never be an influencer!”
And I get where people are coming from.
"Influencer" has become connected with superficiality, selling out, inflated egos, social media grifting, and insincerity.
That is a shame because it causes people to not want to see themselves as “influencers,” when in reality an influencer is simply anyone who influences others.
Influencing is something people have done for centuries, long before social media.
The greatest speakers, thinkers, and writers throughout history could be considered "influencers,” like Gandhi, Mother Teresa, and Leonardo da Vinci.
There are also plenty of examples of influencers who use their powers to hurt people, corrupt, and destroy. I won’t name names…
The thing is influencing isn't inherently good or evil. We are all influenced by something or someone. It’s what you do with that influence that matters, how or who you choose to influence, and what your goals are for influencing in the first place.
There isn't a contract that says you need to do TikTok dances and sign your soul away in blood to become an influencer.
You can choose your medium, platform, and approach. The important thing is to put yourself out there so that when you speak, people listen.
Why does this matter?
It matters because we need more people who care about others to build their platforms.
We need to stop seeing “influence” as tied to superficiality and see it for what it is: power.
Otherwise, we will be ruled by the loudest, most confident voices, who might not always have our best interests in mind.
If you’re one of those people who feels shy and/or awkward about stepping into the spotlight, you’re probably the exact person we need to step into the spotlight.
Because here’s the thing, influencing is not just about you or your ego. When you become known, you can:
Bring more attention to the issues you care about
Inspire others with your story
Lift others up
Create change
If you're feeling stuck, powerless, or tired of how the world is trending, consider entering the public arena.
Consider sharing your voice and building influence, if not for yourself, then for the people and causes you care about.
Need help? Here are ways we can work together:
🟡 Book a Clarity Call. I can help you figure out your next steps.
🟡 Book a LinkedIn Profile Optimization or Full Rebrand.
🟡 Hire me to ghostwrite for you or explore other ways we can work together
Not there yet? Follow me on LinkedIn for free daily insights on writing, branding, and developing your voice.
This: “We need to stop seeing “influence” as tied to superficiality and see it for what it is: power.”
I used to have light purple glasses like your cover and I miss them.