There’s no doubt that if you can find a way to influence the top influencers in your industry, you are on your way to becoming an influencer yourself–in other words, finding your way into the secret club. But it’s not easy. Here are some tips for finding your way into the ranks of the top influencers in your niche.
Be Remarkable
If you want to be remarkable, you have to do something remarkable. Look at all the influencers in your industry and you’ll see the same thing. These are people or businesses that have done something that makes a difference, or gets attention, or really makes a mark. You simply cannot become an influencer without doing something remarkable. Other influencers know what it took to get to their position, and they are looking for new members of the club who understand that they need to do the same thing. Unfortunately, doing something remarkable requires effort and a lot of hard work. If you can’t do that, you’re out before you were even considered. Get to work.
Be Consistently Remarkable
It’s not enough to be remarkable just once. Top influencers take it to the next level and do it over and over again, on multiple levels. Anyone can get lucky one time. Influencers know that and want to see you perform consistently. The point is, once you wow the world, be prepared to do it again.
Be Better
You know how you get respect from your peers? You become better than they are. Influencers aren’t going to let anyone into the club for just being good. They get pitched 1,000 times a day with “good” concepts. They want exceptional, not “good.” They want people to wow them and who are potentially better than them.
Be Humble
If you walk into a room full of people and start talking about how you’re the greatest that ever lived, you’re probably not going to get much respect. You have to earn respect from influencers. The only way to do that is to come into it with a humble attitude. Tip: It’s always better to let your fans and customers who love you talk you up, instead of doing it yourself. If you’re doing something remarkable, that won’t be a problem. The top influencers in your niche will be watching and listening.
Be a Cheerleader
Nobody likes an ass-kisser, true. But if you want to get the attention of a top influencer in your space, you should spend a certain amount of time focusing on promoting that person’s projects and information. Comment on their blog consistently, and intelligently. Retweeet their tweets. Share them on Facebook, and Google + them. They’re paying attention, believe me.
Be Ready for the Spotlight
You’ve made it into the club! Congrats! Are you ready for it? You’re now one of the influencers in your niche. This means that you’ll now get contacted multiple times a day from people who want to “pick your brain,” want you to mentor them, or want you to promote their idea. If you don’t come up with a kind way to help them, they’ll call you a jerk and blast you on social media.
It also means that you can now raise your consulting and speaking rates. You can garner a book deal just from your clout. You can launch a new product, or service and sell it easily without having to convince people to buy it. Get to work. The influencer club is ready for you. Are you ready for it?
Don’t forget to head on over to the Small Biz Trends Influencer awards and vote for your top influencers.
Getting into this “club” isn’t easy and you make that crystal clear. I would add that just wanting to be in the club isn’t a good enough motivator to accomplish the goal. Whatever remarkable thing you’re doing needs to drive you, needs to give you a reason to get out of bed and get to work. Becoming an influencer will be an outgrowth of that passion and drive.
Jim Kukral
Hey Robert, thanks for commenting. I actually think it’s really easy. Well, easier than it used to be. At the end of the day, it’s all about leading and getting to work and doing something.
Lauren Barraco
I love this article. Not only do you create a clear direction for the average Joe, but you also motivate him to act. We’re such an “instant gratification” society that we often forget the principle of hard work. I think this is a great reminder that we are all capable of greatness, but its the ones who are willing to put in a little effort that get the greatest reward.
Jim,
Nice job. Good to see you here. You should write more for Small Business Trends…
And…you’re an influencer, you know.
The Franchise King®
Neat lines, Jim, thanks for sharing! I would also mention personal touch; there`s nothing better than shaking hands with the influencers. With a bit of luck you surprise someone and he or she will introduce you to others…
One more thing, Jim. I am not trying to make you pay attention to me! ;-))) However no doubts that you would deserve thousands new followers on Twitter just because you know how to schedule your day so you can find the time to write.
Jim Kukral
Hi Jakub, Yes, that’s a great point, meeting with people face to face does in fact work well too. That’s why you have to get out to events. I should have added that!
I love how you define Remarkable with ‘Being in the Spotlight.’ I didn’t realize those that want to pick my brain have pushed me into the Influencers Club.
Great list! So much work, so little time!
What a great discovery! Thanks to Peggy Fitzpatrick for sharing. I agree on many levels, and this reminds me of what my friend Sean McGinnis likes to say about being found in search: Be Awesome. Nice post. Thanks!
Nicholas
Nice article! Even if you do not effectively influence, you would have learnt a great deal of soft and hard skills to put them to great use in your daily life! Cheers!