Elevate your social media influence with these 9 simple tips
Becoming a super influencer is easier than you think
When you bring together the best in Silicon Valley-thinking and the lessons we all learned back in kindergarten, you’ll be empowered to reach people in a deeper, more meaningful way.
Here are nine proven ways you can amp-up your social media influence right now.
Be attentive
Listen and validate first
When you do, you’ll discover common ground. And, that’s the fertile soil in which your constructive conversations can grow! Remember, you can just agree with the sentiment, like “I can tell you care about [other people, our country, your neighbors, etc…].”
Build trust
This will be your number one goal. Why? When people trust you, they’ll listen to you. So, be consistent, act intentionally, and pause conversations when you feel heated (and are more likely to make a false step).
Avoid making assumptions
As it turns out, we’re terrible mind readers—decades of research bears that out. So, slow things down and ask, and then you’ll know for sure. Otherwise you might miss the mark and the person you’re chatting with could feel pushed or judged.
Be engaging
Ask questions
Science shows that when things are worded in the form of a question, our brains light-up. Meaning: You’ll get more of your audience’s attention when you reword your message to invite their thoughts.
Say, “Yes, and…”
This is a really simple way of ensuring the person you’re chatting with feels heard—and that increases the likelihood that they’ll listen to you, too. (When we instead say, “but,” people feel as though their statement has just been negated—and we won’t win by making people feel lousy.)
Reward people for their time
When you offer a simple thank you or share an innocuous joke (never at another’s expense) that little bit of surprise and delight will keep them engaged and more likely to come back.
Be of service
Be patient
Remember: Changing minds takes time! Don’t expect that you’ll bring someone around to another conclusion in the span of a single conversation. Instead, keep asking questions and point them to helpful resources. These small connecting sessions can make all the difference.
Allow space
When you ask questions that nudge people to come up with the right answer, respond in their own voice, and change their own minds, they’re more likely to come around. So, rather than pushing people to a decision, which they will resist all the more, give them grace.
Remember “Everyone’s invited!”
Just follow Dean’s lead. Do all you can to learn from others—even when they come to the conversation with very different values and life experiences. It’s how we build bridges and create progress.
Build your skills—and multiply your impact
Dig deeper
Get an inside peek at the strategies and tactics we use to engage our audience—and put them to work yourself!
Jump back
Go back to the social media ambassadors home page—and be sure to snap-up your social media banner and Zoom background.