How Can I Influence You In 2025? - Step off on the right foot.

INTRODUCTION:

Greetings to all. I am trying to make my next blog post, which will be posted on December 23rd at 7:30 p.m. EST, a video blog post. This week, I wanted to talk to you about influencing. It seems fitting as we approach a new year. Everyone is influenced by something or someone. Some of my posts may influence you. Some feel that influencing is a form of control, and when presented improperly, it can be. However, influencing can be a great learning and enhancement tool when appropriately presented.

Influencing is not about telling others what to do or how to do it. It is not about the influencer explaining their views and ideals to others. Instead, it presents things in a manner that gives another a different perspective. When we think deeply about anything, we can become tunnel-visioned about it and not see what is right in front of us. As people, emotions often get in the way. Some people can separate them, and others cannot. As an example, I am the type of person that can remove emtions from an equation, think about the problem logically, and then add the emotional content into my thinking. A good influencer will discuss topics in a manner that causes someone to look and think about something differently. When this occurs, the results can be amazing. Some people look upon an influencer as a role model.

That said, we must take caution when we regard someone as a role model, especially when we do not know much about them. I believe in transparency. If I am unwilling to discuss my successes and failures, how can I expect someone to trust what I say? Transparency, trust, and honesty are the keys to success. At work, at home, and especially in relationships. So, let's begin.

WHAT IS AN INFLUENCER?:

Successful influencers cultivate a genuine persona that resonates with their audiences. Authenticity is crucial in building trust, as followers seek relatable voices rather than manufactured personas. In time, most people can see through someone fake versus honest and genuine. Influencers typically maintain high levels of engagement with their audiences. This can manifest in likes, shares, comments, and direct interactions, making them more relatable and approachable. Many influencers specialize in specific niches, demonstrating valued expertise in areas ranging from self-help topics to technology, relationships, finance, and more. Influencers are often skilled content creators who produce engaging videos, photographs, articles, and other forms of media that stand out in a crowded digital marketplace. Brands seek out these individuals because of the bonds they have created with people. If people trust the influencer, they will trust the brand. At least, that is the thought. However, it is true.

The rise of influencers has helped create new business models and marketing strategies. Brands increasingly turn to influencer marketing, allocating budgets for collaborations to tap into influencer audiences. Research indicates that influencer marketing can yield a higher return on investment than traditional advertising methods, given the trust influencers have built with their followers.

In recent years, influencers have also made their mark in politics. They have become essential tools in mobilizing voter engagement and raising awareness for various political causes and candidates. By leveraging their platforms, influencers can shed light on important issues, although this can sometimes lead to controversy regarding misinformation and bias. No credible influencer should ever engage in misinformation and prejudice.

As the influencer platform evolves, so do the ethical considerations surrounding it. From disclosing sponsored content to maintaining authenticity, influencers navigate a complex moral framework. The most important part of this platform is transparency. Transparency leads to credibility. Think about this. How often have you bought a product or listened to what someone said because they are a celebrity you like?

What becomes tricky is the onset of A.I., which can mimic the look and voice of a person, and you think it is actually that person speaking when, in reality, it is not. Therefore, some caution has to be exercised in today's world of technology. Things are not always what they appear to be. In the case of influencing bloggers, it is essential to cite credible references to back up what you are saying. An influencing blogger certainly has the right to their opinions, but they must clarify what is opinion and what is proven fact. That fosters credibility.

WHY HAVE I BECOME INVOLVED AS AN INFLUENCER?:

Most people who get involved as influencers start because of the myth of making tons of money and gaining fame. If someone gets lucky, they could make a ton of money and acquire fame. Those are the exceptions, not the rule. However, that takes years and millions of followers. Additionally, it requires someone to be willing to invest a substantial amount of money first. I do not do this for either of those reasons. I spend next to nothing on advertising and rely solely on word of mouth and what the internet draws. Reaching millions of people across various social media platforms through advertising can cost hundreds of thousands of dollars a year. That's an expensive gamble to take unless you have sponsors. Also, there are tens of thousands of people who call themselves influencers. How many are?

TikTok has become famous for being the place to start this career. However, TikTok alone does not reach the entire audience spectrum and has caused great controversy. Therefore, an influencer looking to make money MUST diversify across all social media platforms. Consequently, I hope you have deep pockets. As with all professions, there is also a degree of luck. Sometimes, one viral video is all someone needs. However, as stated, those are the exception, not the rule.

I enjoy what I do because my entire adult life before I retired and changed career paths involved helping people. Those of us who do that for a career do it because it is in their blood. They love helping others. I have gained incredible insight and knowledge through my life experiences, education, work, and all the sadness, tragedy, and misfortune I've seen. It is not a living that many people can mentally handle. It does take a particular type of person to do that type of work. I am referring to serving the public as a firefighter and paramedic. Police officers, doctors, nurses, and many others, including our military personnel, also feel the same sense of dedication.

As with most things in life, a sense of dedication drives us to do what we do, be what we want to be, and follow the path we choose. However, influencing comes with an enormous responsibility. A celebrity who endorses a brand is getting paid for their endorsement. Most do not actually care if the brand works or not—it's a paycheck. With blogging or video influencing, there is a greater responsibility. People may adjust their thinking or lives based on the message the influencer is sending. This is why transparency, honesty, and truth are essential. As I stated, the human mind often hears and sees only what it wants to. It picks and chooses what it needs to get satisfaction or lean towards what it wants to hear.

Many times, people ask for advice from their friends. Have you ever noticed that everything is good when a friend tells them what they want to hear? However, if they tell them what they don't want to hear, there is disagreement. In relationships, for example, the heart wants what the heart wants. Therefore, sometimes, it hides from reality. We have all experienced this in our lives in one form or another or at different stages of our lives. My father was a man of few words. But when he spoke, you listened. He used to say, "If you are asking me my opinion, I will give it to you. But don't get mad if it's something you don't want to hear." The same applied if you asked for advice. Open communication and an open mind are the keys to solving any problem. Most of the time, in the end, people will most likely do what they want. Some will listen, others may not. It's a learning process. As with any learning process, some will learn, and others will go on to repeat the same mistakes over and over. No one can control that. People must realize that they must change independently and in their own time and space.

IN CLOSING:

Do I make money as an influencer? Yes, through my books and public speaking events. However, not millions, and without all the fame. I can only speak for myself. In my case, the greatest gratification I get is an email from a subscriber or one of my readers thanking me for something I wrote that helped them somehow. That is why I do this, and my goal is to help others. We all help others in some form. We help our family, friends, co-workers. I added the option of helping others and some companies publically.

That said, we each must know our limitations and respect them. No one is God, nor should anyone play that role. No one is the know-all or end-all of life's problems. Some of us simply have more experience in certain areas than others. However, it would be best if you had something substantial to offer to be an influencer. I never give advice. I provide options and solutions and, when asked, an opinion. The final choices are up to each individual. No one can and should try to tell someone else what to do. They are not in that situation and cannot appreciate all the emotions or other issues surrounding a particular problem.

Options, a new perspective, a different approach to a problem, or sometimes simple moral support might be all that is necessary. When things become too involved or out of your area of expertise and knowledge, you must refer a person to an individual specifically trained in that area. The human mind is fragile. The human mind may only see or hear what it wants. Therefore, giving advice can be dangerous and, at best, a slippery slope to navigate. So tell me, how can I help you in 2025?

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Thank you.

Please feel free to leave comments, or if you have a topic you would like me to discuss, you can email me at crondina@caesarrondinaauthor.com. As always, I accept guest blog posts. If you want to write about a topic, email your finished draft in Word format to crondina@caesarrondinaauthor.com. I will review it and contact you. Thank you.

Be safe, stay well, and focus on being happy. And remember to always: