It’s interesting how obsessed we can get with popularity. At some point we’ve been convinced that popularity is the key to success. If a lot of people like you, you’re set.
It’s funny because the people I see doing really influential things around me, aren’t necessarily the ones people talk about. They’re not the “popular” ones, but they’re the ones doing stuff that matters. They’re the ones worth paying attention to.
In fact, once you get into things, the people that are traditionally considered “popular” tend to actually be doing pretty mundane stuff. And, while they might make a lot of money, put on a good show and get a lot of fans, they don’t end up actually doing much that creates lasting change. They might be popular, but they’re not influential.
I shot a video this morning about this same concept [complete with an awesome freeze frame face and Nickleback references]. You’re welcome
If you can’t see the video, watch it here.
I think everyone worries at some point about popularity and comparing yourself to others can be paralyzing. Whether it’s readers, numbers, friends, jobs it can be easy to base worth off of some arbitrary figure that’s easy to measure but doesn’t necessarily mean very much.
Influence, on the other hand is a lot harder to measure, but, at least to me, is a lot more meaningful. It’s so much more rewarding to hear about readers running their first triathlon (congrats Amanda!), starting their own blog, or deciding to up and change something in their life, because they were sick of their current situation than it is to see a graph on a chart go up and to the right. Getting people to do something different, to change, or do something impossible – that’s the stuff I’m interested in…and that takes influence.
Of course, you can be popular and be influential. Nothing in life is a black or white situation. It’s entirely possible There are lots of shades gray and you can use popularity to grow your influence. But too often, people throw out influence too often and too soon in exchange for popularity without considering the long term effects. Hopefully you won’t have to choose between popularity and influence, but if you have to choose, choose influence.
I’ll be on the island for the next few days. If you still want a postcard, there’s still a few spots open.
I’ve been going a little crazy with the ProHDR photo app ever since Dan recommended it on his podcast. Sean, it looks like I have some shots coming your way for DailyHDR :). I’m sharing a few here, but you can find more at my posterous blog or on flickr
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Your right on the money here Joel. A good few of the biggest movers and shakers that I’ve met online have been complete introverts. They often will actually go out of their way to avoid the limelight. As for me personally my blogging isn’t about obtaining popularity points its just about surrounding myself with like minded people who drive me to do better in my endeavors.
Right on Jamie. It’s funny to find out that some of the biggest influencers you might not have ever heard their name but you know all of their work. Crazy.
Yes.
I think you and I share a brain sometimes, seriously.
Look for me to be one of the people who changes something sometime very soon. Hint: I feel like I need my own BIT.
Keep in touch, Joel. I miss ya.
Can I keep the brain this week? I have a big project I’ll need it for :).
Thanks Brett. Are you rebranding as the Brett of Impossible Things (BIT)? 🙂
Amen.
Congrats on everything you’re up to, sir! Impossible ain’t easy, but there’s no other way to live, I say.
Thanks Colin! Means a lot coming from you :). Here’s to the impossible.
Wow great pics man! I think about this distinction a lot too, I can think of a lot of things I could do at my blogs that would make them popular but would really provide real value to people and I think thats where in the influence (or potential for cooperation) comes from eventually.
Thanks Dan! I think the two can definitely be symbiotic but I tend to see a better success rate when people aim for influence. When people aim for popularity they get it. When they aim for influence they tend to get both. That’s just my observation though. 🙂
My blog is about a month and some change old, and last week I realized I had to shift my focus. I was concerned with trying to “make my blog better” or “more popular” with a bunch of stuff I’m “supposed to have”, and not realizing that my readers are what makes my blog better.
Popularity feels good in the short term, but making connections, caring for people, leaving a legacy, creating lasting change, those things are harder and take more time, but so worth it.
Also, thanks for the Creed reference. That brings back some memories, but I guess that is the point of the post.
Can you take me higher? (we should give out bonus points to whoever can do the best Scott Stapp impression). Just an idea 😉
Great pics! I was just wondering about this difference the other day; this, and how a lot of people’s lives are shaped (in not a great way) by running from things in fear instead of embracing fear of being unliked or less popular for saying something different and/or influential, sometimes. Congrats on all you’re up to!
Thanks Jane!
Absolutely agree with you Joel…influence is so much more valuable than popularity. But I do still LOVE Lifehouse so in my little world they are popular with me. :O) Beautiful background to today’s video, thanks for sharing your landscape with us.
-Katie
I loved lifehouse too…10 years ago 🙂
Luckily when I was younger, I really didn’t care that much about being popular. And I still don’t care…much. I guess my only caveat is that I care a lot about how popular my blog is, but I’m getting over that. One thing that I AM proud of is that I have been lucky enough to be in positions where I could influence others in my community and have actually been acknowledged for that, which is always nice to hear.
Good for you Jessica! Keep on making an impact 🙂
I will say this, good on ya doing the video thing. That is one area that I want to start exploring and doing more with.
And Joel, stop downplaying popularity and tell everyone about the boy band contract you are about to sign…
#MrPopularInDisguise
How did you find out about that? 😉
Just stumbled across this. So, I agree that just being popular for popularity’s sake isn’t ideal.
But, the fact is that popularity and being influential are often very overlapping traits. Britney Spears still very popular and influential today, although she may not be the best example. Bill Clinton was extremely popular in the 90’s (duh, you have to be to get elected) and is still extremely relevant/influential/popular today.
I see your point, but I think it oversimplifies a little bit.
John,
I think you picked two contrasting points.
Britney Spears is “popular” still, but she has no influence whatsoever. She can’t compel anyone to do anything. She may make music that people dance to, but she can’t do much more than that.
Clinton on the other hand is still popular, but actually can influence people to change or do different things. Look at the time he brought back the 2 journalists from North Korea.
I think popularity & influence can overlap, but as I said, if you shoot for popularity, it usually is a pretty empty gain. If you shoot for influence…oftentimes you get both.
Great advice Joel! The most fulfilling thing that’s happened to me so since starting my blog was running into a friend I hadn’t seen since high school in New Orleans for Mardi Gras and having her tell me that she and her friend were there because they’d been inspired to do 30 Before 30 lists too after reading my blog. Seeing how happy their 30 Before 30 lists had made them was infinitely more fulfilling for me than hitting any number of blog hits. I definitely agree that influence is much more meaningful at the end of the day.
That’s awesome Celine. Well done! Sparking initiative in people is something I don’t ever really get tired of doing.
Now, I have to ask, how was Mardi Gras?
Mardi Gras was awesome! I hear there’s a yearly Mardi Gras marathon (I do mean actual running though there are all sorts of marathon possible on Bourbon Street). Could be a fun way to cross that off your impossible list??
I think I’d probably be able to cross off a bunch of things of my list at Mardi Gras. I’ll keep it in mind 🙂
I’m mostly interested in the world of music and this popularity vs. influence thing is definitely on target as far as that goes. The bands/songwriters that really push the limits and who are the most influential are rarely as popular as those who are influenced by others and who sort of… shave the edge off… their thing is all about mass consumption, not the creation of unique art.
That’s a really interesting comparison. Interesting how the trailblazers don’t get as much recognition as the ones who come in after…
Hey Joel,
Love this post. You are completely dead right about how being influential is more important than popularity. Impressive wisdom. Keep it up.
Tx
Thanks for the comment Tammy 🙂 Means a lot coming from someone influential like yourself :).
Funny. This is a question that my friend asked me the other day. Would you rather be popular at something or a master at something? And its an interesting question what with everyone being so worried about how many followers one has.
You can have a million followers without anyone listening. But even if you have only 1000 followers and you change the lives of a few people, THAT is worth much more in the long run.
great Post
Bang on. Great point.