I have in the recent past been researching a lot as I look to launch a new book.
The one thing that I have found people engrossed in, is this thing of growing a following, an email list, tribe etc.
Advice from most veterans is totally solid and I will follow it but I have found myself asking a simple question:
If we were to categorize what the e-preneurs do with the likes, shares, comments, retweets and general attention, what categories would we come up with?
1. Show off
Some people seek to grow a social media presence to show off their latest toys, wardrobe, etc. All in the name of trying to establish themselves as brand ambassadors.
Those who make serious business and revenue out of it ride on a sociology component known as deviant behavior.
The internet has made a lot of people involuntarily “deviant”. Deviance in sociology implies existence of established norms. (Deviant behavior is behavior that violates the normative rules, understandings, or expectations of social systems)¹
2. Influencers
These are people who genuinely engage their audience to educate them, encourage them and even dissuade them from some negative behavior and actions. Influencers also help to shape our purchase and lifestyle decisions.
Unfortunately some people call themselves influencers yet they are like train and airline ground staff. They help you get on a plane or train to a destination that they have never been to through an experience they have never had!
3. Social Satisfaction
Difficult as it may be to believe, some people work so hard to gain an audience online to simply look at the numbers and be happy that they have the attention.
A close look into their lives reveals a very lonely offline lifestyle. They tend to stress out if their posts are not liked or commented on enough. Some feel dejected if their followers reduce even by one. Others seek to befriend more people in the hope for a follow back.
Whatever your motivation out of the three, to grow your social media audience, you need to culture it to fit your agenda in life.
It really comes down to purpose and the difference you desire to make in this life we are living. You can’t live life for others and others don’t have you at the epicentre of their own lives!
When building your social media presence, ask this: If you started a wiggle dance in the middle of the city and you got people following you, what would you want them to do? Stare or understand your why and join you?
That’s a basic start to growing your social media presence or online audience.
¹ Referenced and cited from https://www.encyclopedia.com/social-sciences/applied-and-social-sciences-magazines/deviant-behavior
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