How to Close the Influence Gap and Make a Greater Difference
NEW BOOK GIVEAWAY!!
20 copies available!!
Leave a comment on this guest post by Becky Robinson to become eligible for one of 20 complimentary copies of her new book, Reach: Create the Biggest Possible Audience for Your Message, Book, or Cause.
Deadline for eligibility is 4/23/2022.
International winners will receive an electronic version.
If you are leading at any level in an organization, you care about helping people thrive.
Along the way, you have most likely coached employees or others – teaching, guiding, and training them. You may find yourself using similar methods and repeating similar ideas. If you are successful, you most likely hear that you add great wisdom to the workplace.
Your unique leadership approach could be leveraged by others. A book is a great vehicle to share your wisdom with the world.
Leverage the influence gap:
Before you embark on writing a book, show up online and share your expertise now.
Many people fall prey to what I call the “influence gap” which occurs when a person creates significant offline influence and neglects the opportunity to share their wisdom online. In doing so, they limit the reach of their work and miss out on important opportunities to make a greater difference.
Close the influence gap:
Build:
Build an online presence that accurately shares your offline contributions. Build a website on a domain that you own. Clearly articulate your point of view through a blog, newsletter, social media, and other channels.
Provide:
Show up to provide your insights in online spaces. If you see an article or social media post on a key topic, share your perspective. Post a blog about a key topic on your website. As you share value in online spaces, you’ll reach an audience beyond the people you know.
Patience:
Be patient as you grow your audience. Know that attracting and cultivating an audience takes time. The most influential experts have built their audiences over decades.
Once you’ve closed the influence gap, you’ll be ready to write a book, and you’ll have an audience ready to receive it.
Are you ready to close the influence gap?
What is standing in the way of you sharing value in online spaces?
Becky Robinson is the Founder and CEO of Weaving Influence, a full-service marketing agency that specializes in digital and integrated marketing services and public relations for book authors, including business leaders, coaches, trainers, speakers, and thought leaders. Her first book with Berrett-Koehler Publishers titled, Reach: Create the Biggest Possible Audience for Your Message, Book, or Cause, launches today.
Thanks for the post. The online and offline influence difference is quite different
Great read. Has me thinking!
I have a very good friend that could take this and multiply her ministry! Love the theme.
Carolyn, I hope my ideas do help your friend multiply her ministry! Amazing!
Becky
Great practical tips! Influence is a large part of leadership and one we often overlook.
I would like to have a copy very much. Thank you.
Leveraging one’s online influence reminds me of building one’s brand on and offline. Sometimes the offline influences is so powerful that it is easy to assumes that it will easily translate to one’s online influence. This might not always be the case and therefore, to leverage online influence in such savvy ways as sharing thoughts on articles, writing blogs, etc. can really accelerate building a following and avoiding pitfalls. What do others think?
Excellent premise, create value first, give consistently and reach/help more people.
Interesting Article…Thank you!
Great blueprint for expanding influence and laying the foundation for a book venture!
Lorraine, I’m sorry you’re struggling with Facebook! One way to circumvent that is to create a space online that you own and control, your own website where you can share value with others. That way, you’re not dependent on another’s platform. Thoughts?
What is standing in the way of you sharing value in online spaces? My answer to your question is: Facebook is standing in the way. My account was hacked 2 months ago and Facebook disabled my account. Pleas to have it restored go unanswered. So, that is standing in my way. However, I’m developing presence on other platforms which is time consuming. The learning for me is how fragile our influence is when it’s dependent on social media. Congratulations on publishing your book.
We need more influencers to debunk the concept of authority as the key to successful leadership!
I would love a copy of the book Thank you!
Would love a copy…pastor is definitely interested in grabbing one, and I’d like to read it since I’m the Media and Communications director at our church.
I appreciate when subject matter experts are willing to share their insights and expertise in digestible chunks. It almost always makes me want to learn more.
You challenged my thinking with the “Influence Gap”. I’ve always desired to share “one day” by attempting to write a book. But I love the idea of beginning to use the opportunity of influencing others online today. Looking forward to growing in this area and getting a copy of the book. Thanks
McSteve, building an audience online first is critical!
This one hit the spot! I’m writing a book but hadn’t thought about building an audience online prior to launch. Excellent idea. I’ll implement this!
Working in a non-profit in which I have to fundraise to keep our organization moving forward, this is a book I trust I would benefit from. I would appreciate the consideration of a copy. Thank you for this offer.
My organization champions developing future leaders. This topic enhances what we are trying to accomplish. We are guiding the fast paced computer savvy using old school methodology.
So interesting and timely. Last night I was teaching a class and literally I was thinking…you should start writing down the situations that have occurred and put into words “what I have learned from each of these situations and how can what I have learned impact others.” I love to influence others in a positive way. That influence can be shared through both the good and bad experiences, through my positive and negative reactions and what I have learned in both the good and the bad.
I have been contemplating writing a memoir or book for a long time based on experiences and leadership style, attempting to articulate my Leadership styles which I understand while undertaking the actions but havent been able to capture in words, just yet.
Thanks Dan, your post are most inspiring!
Interesting thought about sharing talent across multiple value streams. I guess we should all take time to share but I also don’t have time to read all the great info out there as it is.
Interesting read – thank you for the article this morning
I have often thought that I would like to share my “expertise” with others but haven’t found a way – or taken the opportunity to do it. Would love to read more about what you have to say on the subject. Thanks for your insightful post!!
“ Build a website on a domain that you own.” That you own… small detail but might have a critical impact… Thanks for sharing your valuable ‘how to’ candle with one who is embarking a little less in the dark now.
Adding online to offline is critical in the new learning era and a great way to grow ygrow ones business.
I am not leaving a reply to receive the book because I have already read it (and have already bought one for someone else). I just want to say if you are one who does not receive the book for free – buy it anyway!! It is a very good book with extras in each chapter!
How timely! I am scheduled to speak with a self-publisher today but know I have MUCH more to do on the front end – This is confirmation!
Build a community by serving a community.
Before you ask your community to support you, let them be crystal clear that you enjoy them, know them and have a trusted message. Hard truth, basic truth.
What an AWESOME read!! Thank you for sharing the true definition to coaching… “Along the way, you have most likely coached employees or others – teaching, guiding, and training them.” Coaching is frowned upon by so many and confused with a “Write-Up or disciplinary action”. I accept the challenge of filling in the influence gap with some of my personal endeavors. Thank you!
I think this is where the “just show up” and “just do it” thinking intersect. I have been pondering this for a while. Thanks for the motivation.
Although the message may be the same, he audience you are targeting with an online presence is quite different that the group with whom you cut your leadership teeth. Yet, there is a certain satisfaction in knowing that you can expand your influence way beyond the walls of your organization.
We all want to make a difference!!
This book intrigues me. I am strongly considering rewriting a book on influence; I have learned much since the original in 2006. The points in this post are helpful. Thank you
Building an audience can be quite challenging. I wrote my book “Overcoming: Turning Trials into Triumphs” and now am ready to market it. I wish I had followed this advice first!
Thank you for the advice. Book writing is always something I would like to do, but have always questioned how to start.
Thank you for all you do. I look forward to you every day. Best regards,
I have already read Becky’s book. It is a great book and offers solid advice.
We are struggling in out organization a bit with our leaders and influencing positive change. Would love to have some different strategies/ideas on proven ways.
Love your blog, thank you for always having something great to read!
This was a good article for me to think on as i am planning on launching a YouTube site this summer and have been pondering the writing of a book.
Patience is tough for some. I am working on this.
This is a very interesting post. I definitely work as a leader and influencer. By influencer, I mean someone who gets people to buy in and support initiatives, but I don’t have direct authority over anyone. I feel it is a skillset that is very overlooked. For example, most employers look for someone with X number of years with direct reports. I gave that up over 10 years ago to have a larger role in my organization. Yet in addition to this, I work in a very regulated industry, and I can’t freely post on social media that has connections to my job without legal and compliance approval. As such, my business related social media posts lack personality. My personal social media platforms don’t have any mention of my day-job.
I needed to hear this! I do not spend enough time sharing what I know online. I get so mired in the details of running my business but I need the reach if I am going to scale.
Great thoughts and ideas!
I have been told by many people that I need to write a book on some of my experiences. The thought of online and offline presence hadn’t occurred to me. Thank you for sharing this!
Thank you for sharing your thoughts! The information you provide is very valuable. Thank you again.
Insightful article. Creating an online presence can be extremely time consuming. So lack of time is standing in my way right now. Would love to learn more from Becky.
This is such an interesting concept (while terrifying!) In person, I know my influence, understand what I have to offer, and don’t shy away from influential leadership. On line, though, I love reading others’ opinions, thoughts, and teachings, but other then commenting or sharing forward, I don’t blog or share my own thinking really. Time and courage are the biggest deterrents I suppose…
Love the name of the book (Reach) and the concept. Our ministry is all about reach, so reaching a larger audience with our message and cause is an imperative!
Interesting article. I appreciate. I always find great tips on Leadership Freak. Keep up the good work, Dan!
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That quotation at the start of the blog is so true. Found out the hard way that it’s about influence more than authority. This is very timely. Nothing is standing in my way but time and that can be managed.
This offers great ideas and thoughts about influence and a real responsibility in Leadership. Patience cannot be underestimated! Practice it everyday!
Thank you for this post. It is amazing that in this new world you don’t need to be a famous somebody to influence the world. I just watch tic tock or YouTube and see the impact of how each individual can influence others if their passion, knowledge and desire lead them to that platform. Thank you for sharing. I hope I win the book. 🙂
Why would people pay for a book if they can find it all for free on line from your webpages?
Thanks for the excellent tips – much appreciated
Very good advice to first share expertise online then to embark on writing a book.
Wow! This was a great tip today about increasing my influence online. After 27 years in education, I have much wisdom and insight to share. Thanks for the tip!
This is an excellent read! Thank you! I would love to read your book to gather more information and grow in wisdom on creating a bigger influence.
Thank you for the good tips. Would love to read your book.