For a while I was curious about what tools such as Klout and Peerindex could provide. It seemed an interesting way to understand your presence on Social Media. No that’s wrong… That’s what I told myself…
In fact I followed the crowd. I wanted to increase my scores. I wanted to become more influential. Those scores gave a sense of being in competition with others…
So I tried to be my collaborative self, supporting others and giving them honest “ratings” when I thought appropriate, still using these tools…
Yet the attraction of an increasing score, the apparent pursuit of authority and influence, or the allure of becoming a “Networker” had the potential to be the crack coated candy of social media…
So I stopped.
I had been seduced. That’s not for me. Now I look more closely at the other social media seductions that might lead me astray…
- following “popular” people I’ll never converse with…
- sharing thoughts & insights with those who won’t respect the giving…
- spending my time in “interesting but useless” pursuits…
- supporting people I don’t truly believe in…
Instead, I seek out the people who make a difference. Who give and respect. Who laugh and play. Who share and support. Who feedback and challenge.
They are my self-chosen influencers. They let me be the best I can be. They are the people I’ll fight for.
It’s their influence that matters, not mine.