Popularity and being influential are not always the same thing. While it is often great to be popular, or be influential, or both, they are not always a hand in hand type of deal.
For example, you can influence a small group of people or a large group of people. Being popular normally means you are liked by many. Some people who are influential may not be popular with others.
While popularity is great, being influential is a lot more important. You are the person people learn from and become better. (Of course, you can also be negatively influential, but I like to hope you aim to be a positive influence on others.)
According to Wikipedia, the term is specifically social influence and it “occurs when an individual’s thoughts, feelings or actions are affected by other people.”
There are many types of influence. Just a few are:
- By idenitification – changing behaviors or attitudes of others
- By conformity – somewhat like peer pressure; you believe you need to appease others by doing what they are doing.
- By obedience – By obeying the law or perhaps a parent or authority figure
- By persuasion – convincing others
How do you know if you are influential as a blogger or even just as an individual?
Do you see others agreeing, reacting and practicing ideas you have introduced in a favorable manner? Are you able to ask those who follow you online, or even online, if they can do something and they do it? When you do something, whether negative, or positive, do people follow what you say? Do you engage with others quite well and notice that they are eager to learn from you?
I have heard a lot from many social media marketers nearly the same message- if you can influence at least one person, you are influential.
So, with that being said, while you might want to be popular, try building your influence with each person one at a time. You will have a more loyal following in the long run.
Some of the people I met up with once again at my 10-year high school class reunion, who were once popular (were great athletes or one student council, or even very sociable in different school clubs), did not have much going for them. They complained of not having a great social life, or the ambition they once did. Of course, over time, people do change, but for some of them, they thought being popular would carry them far.
They never took a moment to think about building a sturdy foundation of influence.
Are popularity and influence the same in your opinion? If so, why? If not, what is your opinion on being influential?
Hi Nile, this is an interesting topic. The first thing that came to mind when I saw the title of this post was celebrities. Beyonce, Rihanna and other entertainers can become both popular and influential. I guess this can translate over into the blogging community on some level but fame and fortune don’t always come along for the ride.
Being an influential blogger means a lot – like you said – only when it is put to good use. Veteran bloggers like yourself have a look of new bloggers who look up to you and you set a great example for them.
Thanks for starting the conversation on this Nile.
You’ve shared some really helpful tips Nile!
And I couldn’t agree more! There is most definitely a difference between being popular and having any level and or degree of influence!
Case in point; some of your former HS classmates, who perhaps during their HS years, briefly had experienced various degrees of short term popularity!
However, when the dust settles as it often does! They discovered that they had no or very little influence!
There used to be a show on MTV (may be there still is) called “The Real World!” And it sound like some of your former classmates are having a few issues with trying to adjust to it!
Thanks for sharing!
I think they are two different things. Just because someone is popular doesn’t mean people care about what they think. Perfect example – Paris Hilton. She’s popular, but I don’t think she’s influential. At least in any kind of meaningful way.
One thing I want to say Nile that simply this is an unique content.Have not read such content before.But as you are asking I believe Influence and Popularity both are different things.Influential can be in a place or a group but popularity or branding gives a great edge in our blogging platform.Whereas I agree with Ileane Mam.Nice Content thanks..
Great topic … and a powerful distinction.
There is little to no value in popularity … and it’s all about get external validation and a sense of belonging.
True influence springs anew. But the important thing to note is the intention behind it. It can get a little jagged too – especially if the ego comes into play.
It’s a fine line. Draw it.
Popularity can go to way. It’s either you’re doing something right or you’re doing something wrong that it stands out. Being influential is more important as it keeps people following your advocacy.
I totally agree with you, especially, like you said, when you look back to high school, those that I remember as being influential were most often not the “popular” kids. You remember influential people, the popular ones just seem to fade in comparisson
This is such an important subject. You make great points, and you’re right, they’re not the same thing.
Great topic! I absolutely believe they are not the same and I think a lot of brands approach this incorrectly with bloggers! In my opinion it is not just a numbers game, it is about how the people in your community react to what you say, write or tweet. I also think once bloggers become super popular they actually don’t work as hard for your brand as smaller bloggers would.
No popularity and influence are not the same. One person can make a difference, quietly or out loud. Every one can!
There’s definitely an interesting distinction between the two. I think a lot of popular people tend to be influential just because they’re looked up to, but you can definitely be influential if you’re not at all popular. I don’t think I strive to be popular, but I do want to instill trust and build relationship and gain influence that way.
In my opinion, popularity and influence are two different things. You can be popular yet you are not influential. Same goes into being influential, it doesn’t mean that you are popular if you are influential. You may be touching other people’s life, but you aren’t popular.
This is very very true! Especially in the world of blogging!
I think they are both different. There are people who are popular but not influential. It’s better for me to become influential because then you are inspiring and touching on other’s lives than become popular with nothing contributed.
This is true for our site. We dont have a large audience (yet) but do have some big influence so we still make for a compelling destination for manufacturers and marketers. Popularity is often a very lonely place to be.
I agree with you. Being popular doesn’t make you influential. There are a lot of reality T.V. stars that are popular and I enjoy watching because they are entertaining but they don’t have any influence in my life.
Two of the great thing that can happen to a blogger. But being influential is the best, because when you are one, you’re a successful writer. People follows you or you inspire others by your writings.
This is really a good thing people who consistently spend time on the net have to know about – there is still a difference on being popular and influential.
I find that this topic becomes soooo important amongst kids! They think the popular girl is the cheery loud one who knows everyone, but in the end the influential one can be feeding the info to the in crowd! Remember Gossip Girl! I know it’s a terrible reference, but it’s a true one! lol What’s “POP” today doesn’t mean it’ll be around tomorrow to influence the crowds. 😉
very helpful tips – it is more about quality than quantity!
Great post, it’s all very very true! Thank you for sharing
Popular and Influential can be the same depending on the person.
I agree with everyone else, just because you have a lot of followers doesn’t mean your influential. I try to be influential in this space. There’s so much unnecessary noise, it helps to find someone you can relate too and put things into prospective as well.
I appreciate the candid conversation here. I definitely thinking influential is more important than popularity
That’s an interesting concept, there are many people who’ll follow what a blog says.
Great post indeed. I do believe they are different in the fact that, one can be popular because they are for example born into money. Not just because of they personality or strengths. Influences are mainly do to personality and strength. Thanks for sharing.
High School is the Worst. I feel the same way about the “popular group”.
I like Robin’s response! People like Paris Hilton are popular, but not influential. There are countless of other celebrities that I can think of that are popular, but they’re not influential or inspiring in the least. Of course, there are a lot of people that can be both, while some are one or the other.
I don’t feel popularity and influence are the same, you can be liked by people but, it does not mean that you have the ability to influence them. Especially since all of us have the freedom of choice and ability to think for ourselves.
But I would definitely chose being influential of being popular.
Nile, when we can walk people through our perception on a given subject. Then, help them gain clarity with being able to now, produce the end results they visioned. That is being influential and myself. Natural way of being, helpful. That is a lifestyle and reflects well with others. Not everyone is going to like you? So, I feel helping people by giving them clarity. How, sharing your perception will guide them to get results they are looking for. So, Influencing others as a lifestyle is always best when done properly and for the good reasons.
There is always a darker side? Beware!
Thanks Nile for bringing this subject to light! I love it and enjoyed participating.
Yes, I have to agree with you that it’s not the same. If you’re popular, you only have number of fans who like you for I think material things. But if you’re influential, there’s something in that person’s life that you have changed.
In my humble point of view popularity is about the numbers, yes you have thousands and thousands of followers and likers on the various networks, but do they count! But when it comes to influence, that’s where the true skill comes in to force, being able to bring to the attention of those that do follow you and give them advice on things they are interested in, be it someone who is just starting out in the blogging world or those that may have been blogging for a while and didn’t realise something that you may have brought to their attention.
Hi Nile, Pretty interesting topic.
Well, I guess… influence is not derived by the quantity of followers, friends, clicks, or “likes. Influence involves more than numbers. It involves your ability to influence outcomes, actions, and opinions.
As for being a popular blogger, it means that people like you or your blog. By all means, a popular blog can be influential. Many are. The mistake is in thinking that one necessarily equals or leads to the other.
Hey Nile
This is an interesting comparison indeed. Popular and influential are very different.
Having followers is farily easy to do, at least on some social channels. But getting people to listen share and act as a result is a very hard thing. As our following grows. we all like to think so does our influence, but that is so much harder to measure. That is why tools like Buzzsumo with their “engagement” measure for influencers is quite handy, it helps us see which people we should connect with rather than just the big number people.
Great post
ashley
Hi Nile,
I agree being popular doesn’t mean you are influential, they are two different things. Getting people to know like and trust you because you are popular doesn’t mean you can influence them to act on what you have said. That’s the way I look at it.
Thanks
Gillian
I think they are completely different types of attention, but sort of go hand in hand. It’s a weird melting pot.