Yesterday, I jumped on Ustream to watch Chris Brogan answer questions and talk about his company Kitchen Table Companies.
Actually, he was answering questions for us about our business and challenges.
Chris is a social media speaker and author of the book Trust Agents, (affiliate link) and blogs most days on ChrisBrogan.com.
Popular doesn’t equal Success
I asked Chris about how he goes about hiring people and how he decides on who to partner with in business.
His response was that he looks for people that have had success. And the next thing he said I thought was powerful,
“We keep mistaking popularity, for success in social media.”
Chris said it. I didn’t.
I totally agree with him though.
Social Approval
Social Approval should not be confused with Social Proof. Social Approval is wanting to be popular and liked.
Social Approval is feeling good about how many “followers” you have on twitter and how many “likers” you have on facebook.
Social desirability (the tendency to respond in such a way as to avoid criticism) and social approval (the tendency to seek praise) are big motivators in our psychology and culture. This is the way social networks work. Online and offline.
You see your friends belong to a network and get “LIKES”, so you want that.
You see your co-workers belong to a network and get “RT” or an “@” so you want that.
You certainly don’t want to feel rejection or UNliked by anyone.
The problem with Social Approval, it doesn’t pay the bills…currently.
You might want to rethink that
I did a status update on the Productivity Junkies Facebook page and the first response I got was,
“Ummmm, I think you may want to rethink this stance. I feel disconnected from you now.”
This person was not giving me Social Approval. I was running the risk of losing popularity and a LIKER to my facebook page. You know what?
I don’t care.
My response back was,
“That’s fine Greg. I’m not here for Social Approval. I’m here to help people build businesses that profit. If you want to hear that is ok to do what feels right instead of what is proven and tested, you are at the wrong place.”
What did Chris Brogan say again?
“We keep mistaking popularity, for success in social media.”
I’m here to build businesses. I’m here to give people a vision of their business and life, that they are to afraid to give themselves. I’m here to make people successful.
I’m not here to make you popular. Go talk to a PR firm to help you with that.
What is your business?
Are you in the business of being popular or being successful?
Where are you leading all these “followers”?
What are you doing with all these “Likers”?
You might have a lot of Social Approval and a really high Klout score, but are you truly operating a successful business?
"If you aren't getting Darin's daily email, you are missing out." -- Chris Smith, Inman News Chief Evangelist
I wanted to start to build a team and with Darin's coaching I have added 2 full
time buyers agents and a virtual assistant. We are getting so organized
and now I am able to prospect for listings like I should have been doing
before.
Darin is a KICK ASS coach, motivator and a genius. Yes, he has a mind that is incredible.
I feel that Darin is vested in my success both personally and professionally. He is a dear friend and I am excited we are now partners.
- Lisa Archer
“Have I told you lately that you’re the greatest thing since sliced cheese? And that at least every other day Matt and I tell each other out loud about how grateful we are to have found you?
You’re a true blessing and are helping us like no other coach to make impactful changes within our business, at a pace that makes sense. And you ‘GET’ technology, too! Coach D, you’re a dream come true. “
- Julia Fishel
"We closed 80 transactions in 2009, started coaching with Darin in 2010, and ended the year with 124 closed transactions." - Incorvaia Team
“Since coaching with Darin, I got refocused and reconnected to my sphere. In the last 40 days I have made $53,000. Just took two new listings and I’m having fun again in business.” – Kris Cantrell
"In only 8 weeks, I've increased my bottom line by 27%." - Jonathan Rivera aka Real-Tech Guy of Official Real Estate Referral Group
"I have been working with Darin for 10 weeks now, I was looking for a way to take my business to another level going into my second full year of real estate. I closed 32 deals in 2011 and so far with the help, guidance and motivation I am on pace to double my transactions in 2012. The most exciting part about working with Darin is I am able to increase my production without adding hours to my week, Darin has taught me how to leverage my time and use it more efficiently. If you are serious about taking your real estate career to a new level, it is a MUST to start working with Darin Persinger as soon as you possibly can." - Ryan Shields
We have now officially written 35% of last years business, in the first 2 months of 2012. We are on track for 50% of last years business by the end of this month, February. - Chuck & Christina Ethridge
[...] And if you want to know more about why shouldn’t focus on celebrity status in your business read (Being Popular Doesn’t Make You Successful) [...]