In today’s age, visibility isn’t difficult to achieve, the question is “does it mean anything?” Be very careful about judging a person by their social media presence, it can be deceiving. I’ve talked with hundreds of business owners online who, by appearances, are successful, productive, in demand and profitable. The reality is that they are barely scraping by. They are what is known as “Internet Famous.” And it isn’t all it’s cracked up to be.
These professionals are typically out of focus, busy but not productive, overwhelmed by too many tools and not enough strategy, and unclear on who they really are so instead of putting themselves forward, they put a persona forward. They are good folks caught in a trap of visibility not being enough. They got the T-shirt, but that’s all they got. You deserve more (so do they.)
The issue is that with social media it is relatively easy to be seen, it is far more difficult to be heard. And success isn’t about how often you show up, but instead what you are known for when you show up. In other words, what words or tag lines leap to mind when you see certain people online? Sometimes they are genuinely famous and truly profitable, way beyond internet famous. Examples include:
Mari Smith ~ The Pied Piper of Facebook (and a genius at branding herself, her message, and her talent, plus a genuinely nice person)
Gary Vaynerchuk ~ The Wine Guy (well branded, outrageous, in your face, and a character who polarizes and that’s a good thing)
Carrie Wilkerson ~ The Barefoot Executive (leading work-at-home moms to success and fortune and a wizard with video branding)
Lou Bortone ~ The Online Video Guy (gifted at garnering your attention with fun stunts on film and in pictures, and shares a heart of gold)
Hemal Radia ~ The LOA Coach (guiding each of us to the best of ourselves by learning how to attract what we want most and attracting us in the process)
These five individuals are just a few examples of professionals who are focused, authentic, and congruent in their messaging. They show up and are seen, heard, listened to, followed, friended, and consumed. Others you recognize but you aren’t sure why. It isn’t clear what they do, who they work with, how to consume them (so you don’t) and it leaves them with just that internet fame glow but no real value to all that visibility. Now, I’m not going to pull the curtain back on those I know are internet famous only, that wouldn’t be right. They are struggling, frustrated and some will figure it out and some won’t.
The keys are simple, I named them above, but perhaps you missed them:
Get FOCUSED ~ being a Bright Shiny Opportunity Chaser is the fastest path to poverty. Give it up now.
Be YOURSELF ~ no one else wants the job or will do it nearly as well as you can.
Get CONGRUENT ~ this is about having one message that is clear, concise, real, and YOU through all of your life, business, and marketing
This is far beyond marketing, you can market yourself into the ground but unless you are focused, authentic and congruent, you won’t get far. Stop, look, listen, and take the time to figure out WHO you are, WHAT you are about, and HOW that looks to others.
I welcome your comments always and invite your experiences with being internet famous or the benefits of being yourself!
Melissa, this was great info! I don’t think I’m Internet famous, but I definitely am working to stay focused, stay true to myself and be congruent in everything I do. Last year I was distracted by a lot of ‘stuff’ that got me off track, so these three words are perfect for my goals this year! Thanks again.
Yay Detra!
Delighted to hear you are on path with passion, purpose and FOCUS. Keep it up.
Hugs, Melissa
What a journey! You impress me and motivate me. Keep it up, sister.
Thanks Wesley,
Always great to hear from you and yes a journey it is.
Hugs, M
This is a great post Melissa!
The Shiny Bright Object Syndrome is real. Those of us who truly want to build a business (offline and online!) must indeed stay focused or die!
@SandraBaptist
Thanks Sandra!
You are so right and this is a big part of coaching. Determining the focus, and staying on track with passion, purpose and profit!
Hugs, Melissa
Absolutely BRILLIANT Melissa!
Thanks Deana!
Great to hear this, I seem to have a hit a chord, more coming.
Hugs, Melissa
I think of myself as internet famous, although I don’t think that many people know me online. I say that because I think that, when people in my circles see my name, they get a vague, uneasy feeling that perhaps they should know me but can’t quite figure out who I am or what I’m about. I’m working on improving that this year. I’d much rather have a few people know me and WANT to consume what I have to offer than to have the hundreds of people following me and only truly connect with 5.
I also think that coaching would be a great thing for me to do this year but need to stop being too poor to afford it so that I can afford it! 🙂
Renae,
Poor is a choice that is all too easy to fall into. You’d be surprised what can happen when you don’t take NO for an answer from yourself!
Your situation is pretty common and can be a real business tanker.
Help is here when you are ready to say YES!
Hugs, Melissa
This is such an important connection that often gets lost in the emphasis on visibility. As I build my own site and business, this will help me remember to do a frequent reality check and keep asking, “Is this activity helping me make a meaningful connection with my ultimate goals or is it just making me feel sociable?”
Thanks for this tactful but clear reminder.
Elizabeth,
Well put! Yes, that is a great reminder and know you will go far.
Hugs, Melissa
Melissa,
I feel like I am watching evolution at work as I read your newsletter!
Social media is still young, and we are all learning. Reading your posts will help us learn faster — not everyone has to follow the advice of the “gurus” who promote more, more, more.
This piece is my favorite — I too moved a lot – 8 schools in all. Unlike you, I worked hard to make “friends” and be popular at each school. Wow, was that tiring! So I like being popular on social media, this is what I am used to working at.
For me, because I have a book, Choosing to Be, this medium has been good for me. I’ve introduced many people to the book through twitter and facebook, and the buzz about the book is building. This works for me.
I use Hootsuite to create a column of the people I am truly friends with, and watch the main incoming stream to see tweets of interest, sometimes adding a person to my personal stream as I develop a relationship.
I like the ability to be loosely connected to many people because I never know where a new idea may come from, and I love diversity — I’m a “bright shiny object” kind of gal.
Now I am planing a new program, and I have some good friends I’ve meet these past few years who I can solicit feedback from as I design it. And I just opened my Finding Magic in Midlife Radio Show fanpage and invited many of my friends to be part of it.
So — I like what you have to say, and it needs to be said. You are helping people learn faster — and boy do we need to be able to do that these days. Just thought I would offer a slightly different view, from another angle.
Appreciatively,
Kat
Kat,
You have it well organized and working for you, that is all good.
My point here are the many who don’t and who are a slave to it for no reason at all.
Whatever works for you is perfect always. I just want folks to know WHY they are networking rather than deluding themselves that mere activity is actually productive.
Hugs, Melissa
I agree absolutely, Melissa. The WHY is the key…
Melissa,
Great topic. People look at me like I have 3 eyeballs when I recommend (a) starting social media with a well defined strategy, and (b) limiting yourself to 1-2 networks until you’ve gained traction. I do this for the reason you mentioned: we are in business to make a profit and really need to stay focused that goal.
Jackie,
Funny thing is that I had traction without a lot of effort and strategy but it wasn’t what I needed or wanted and like returning to simplification.
It is frighteningly easy to get caught up in numbers and forget it is ONLY how hot, not how many. It takes one to make a purchase not 1K.
Your clients are lucky to have you!
Hugs, M
Hello Ms. Melisa, this is Darryl here! This is Darryl here. The information you have provided us all with is invaluable! I will use it to the best of my ability to grow a reputable and successful brand!
Thanks again!
Darryl Mangum
Thanks Darryl,
Look forward to seeing you at the top!
Hugs, Melissa
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