Spreading Influence In More Ways Than One Online

Posted by Mitch Mitchell on Aug 22, 2011

Yes, once again I’m talking about this topic of influence. It’s been an interesting last month or so and it just seems like it’s time to talk about it again because, believe it or not, it’s not all about me.

Of course having said that I’m still going to start with something that is about me, that being an interview I did with someone who comments here often, Carl, on his blog Webmaster’s Blog. It was a long interview and a lot of fun, and I hope y’all check it out and give him some love. Just so you know, it seems you have to have a Facebook account to leave a comment. I don’t normally go this route but in this instance, since I was the guy it was about, I made an exception. However, I’m still waiting for someone to tell me how or where it shows up on Facebook.

I’ve spoken about how I wanted to spread my influence more because I equate more influence with more opportunities for a great income, as well as the ability to potentially have a say in what goes on. Well, one doesn’t go places on their own. To whit, I’ve conducted some interviews on some of my blogs in the last couple of months that I think deserve way more attention than they’ve received. I’ve also put out a lot of offers to people here and there for interview spots on some of my blogs because, as I said, it’s not only about me. I think it’s a good thing when you can bring someone who deserves it to the attention of others.

I’ve also tried to go out of my way in the last month to retweet and talk to a lot of people I’ve never communicated with before. These are people in my Twitter stream, people who for the most part haven’t really reached out to me, but I don’t blame them because I hadn’t really reached out as much either. The best thing about using the cellphone for Twitter is that I can use it anywhere, and it’s relatively easy to go way back and zip through a bunch of messages.

In the movie The Secret they talked about this concept of giving to bring positive things in your life, and how giving when you may not have all that you want is sometimes the best giving of all. Just last night I went to the store and while there in line grabbed a ticket off the counter to donate $2 to feed children. I do that often, thinking that for a lousy two bucks I can help to feed someone or allow someone to have a place to say for one night. It’s a small thing but a big thing, and for the first time ever, the checkout clerk thanked me for my donation. I thought that was pretty special, and I thanked her for saying it.

So, just for a recap, I’d love to reissue some links that I’d love you to check out that highlight others on this blog and other blogs; hey, it’s a great way to start a Monday:

Interview – Yasmin Shiraz

29 Black Social Media Influencers

Interview – Issac Bidwell

21 Black Social Media Influencers

Interview – Marelisa Fabrega

Interview – Still Eye Rise Media

Interview – Issac Bidwell (different interview than above)

Tags: influence, Interview, Social Media

21 Comments »

reeha@cheap desinger handbags:

going to start my Monday with these links. thanks for sharing. like your way why you wants to spread your influence more… great post for newbies to learn why these things are important and what professional online interpreter thinks.

August 22nd, 2011 | 10:57 AM

Adrienne:

I also agree with you Mitch that if we can influence another person by what we have shared than our time was well worth it.

I’ll have to go back and check out some of your other posts as well. Plus, I applaud you for donating to help feed a child. I do that as well, I can’t help myself. It is very rewarding though when you are shown appreciation for doing it. Not that it’s expected, but it sure does make you feel good.

Wonderful post my friend and thank you for sharing.

Adrienne

August 22nd, 2011 | 5:24 PM

Mario:

Thanks for sharing the links Mitch. You’re spreading your influence just by giving good info in your blog and sharing the articles by other bloggers your find useful.

By the way, check out the drawing by Issac Bidweel, very cool indeed.

August 22nd, 2011 | 8:01 PM

Brian D. Hawkins:

I’m on it Mitch, I read a really awesome interview earlier today and wouldn’t reading more. I’ll get started now.

BTW, I love the ReadSpeaker.

Mitch Mitchell Reply:
August 22nd, 2011 at 10:22 PM

Thanks Brian. I wonder how many people actually use it. I like it when I check posts, so I can just close my eyes and hear the errors from time to time.

Brian D. Hawkins Reply:
August 22nd, 2011 at 10:34 PM

Really? I like to follow along with it. I feel like I absorb more that way. The only problem is distractions. I had to scroll up and hit pause a few times. The Grand kids are here tonight so it’s pretty hectic.

Mitch Mitchell Reply:
August 22nd, 2011 at 10:36 PM

Yeah, I just listen. I do the same with my writer’s group; whenever someone’s reading, even if they’ve given me a copy, most of the time I just like to listen.

August 22nd, 2011 | 9:42 PM

Carl:

Thanks for the credit, Mitch. I really appreciate this. I will take a look at the other interviews, probably I have already read most, but it will be good exercise to learn more how to make interviews of bloggers and publish on my blog.

Mitch Mitchell Reply:
August 22nd, 2011 at 11:47 PM

Carl, you did a fine job with the questions you asked. Probably the only thing I’d recommend is to open up comments in other ways because not everyone is on Facebook and a lot of people, me included, are hesitant to comment via FB. I thank you for the opportunity to do the interview.

Carl Reply:
August 23rd, 2011 at 8:26 AM

I am not sure, that I’ve mention this in my email, there are 2 other options available Disqus which I don’t like and Intense Debate, both are integrated, but there is JavaScript library conflict, the fix will be ready in the next couple of days, so probably there will be more comments, which actually is not a practice currently, as most members are aware that community just started Beta1 test. In the last 3 days, many mirror bugs have been reported, few important fixes are already done, got a deal on new dedicated server so things will be fine now, however number of readers is satisfying, especially on your interview. There will be 2nd edition after a while.

Mitch Mitchell Reply:
August 23rd, 2011 at 11:11 PM

Carl, what’s the blog platform? I can’t believe there’s no option for comments like what I have unless it’s something weird that I’ve never heard of.

Carl Reply:
August 24th, 2011 at 9:27 PM

The blogging platform is called EasyBlog and probably is the best option that I have a this moment. Actually it is really good, there are so many options similar to WPMU, options for team blogs, tagging, automatic syndication to Facebook, LinkedIn and Twitter. Just fixed the problem and integrated Disqus, which is the last option, but seems to work fine as can comment using Facebook,Twitter, OpenID credentials. The rest of the website use Intense Debate which was integrated a day before. Haha, definitely weird one, but WordPress integration will cause some problems with member integration which is critical, I want all options to be available under one username.

Mitch Mitchell Reply:
August 25th, 2011 at 12:09 AM

Carl, you know me, I don’t like any of those comment platforms, so I might come read but I wouldn’t comment. BTW, I will be getting to your email fairly soon; had other things going on, as you know from my other blog.

August 22nd, 2011 | 11:10 PM

Kristina L.:

Hi, Mitch,
I’ve already read the Yasmine Shiraz interview and I will make sure to check the other links soon, as well.
Anyway, just to wrap it up, I think it is great you are helping the charity for children. I hope I don’t sound like I am Miss Universe, but it’s probably the best way to spend 2 extra dollars.
Take care.

Mitch Mitchell Reply:
August 24th, 2011 at 10:40 PM

Thanks Kristina. I give when I can, even if it’s only a little bit. I think it all helps long term.

August 24th, 2011 | 5:02 PM

Allan Douglas:

I read this yesterday and have been thinking about it since. I do agree with you that to establish yourself as an authority or expert in any field, it will take more than just a blog and twitter. And I see many self-professed experts professing that speaking engagements are a great way to become better known and make some money.
I say that this will depend a lot on one’s speaking ability. I have personally attended a few “seminars” where I came away knowing that this guy was a fraud. It should go without saying that a speaker or presenter should be thoroughly familiar with their subject matter. Just getting up in front of a room and regurgitating facts and figures available to all from the internet does little to promote one as an expert if they then hedge when questions are asked.
But, even some knowledgeable people should not do live presentations. I am one. I’m a nervous wreck when I have to do public speaking. I have done one television show and I do a weekly radio program, and those go pretty well. But live speaking is something *I* avoid. I envy those of you who are comfortable with it.

Mitch Mitchell Reply:
August 25th, 2011 at 11:25 PM

Allan, you seem like you’d be a natural in doing speaking engagements with the way you write. I remember putting on a webinar with someone else who’d said he was an expert at something. We each got 28 minutes to speak. I came in at 27 minutes and 30 seconds; he got to 30 minutes and still had half of his presentation to go. It turned out to be a mess. Still, I ended up looking good & getting a nice rank, but even at the end of it I wasn’t sure about any influence I might have had. That program is still being marketed by the company but I didn’t get a single call. So, it takes more than even doing live presentations sometimes.

August 25th, 2011 | 2:13 PM

Beverly Mahone:

Mitch,

I believe speading your influence includes workshops, seminars, and other types of events where you come across as the expert. It’s nice to be influential online but I am quickly learning that the real influence and $$$ comes when you take your expertise “LIVE and IN LIVING COLOR!”

I’ll be sure to check out some of these people. Maybe I’ll make some new connections—thanks to you.

Mitch Mitchell Reply:
August 25th, 2011 at 11:44 PM

Thanks Bev. I really think at some point you’ll need to have Yasmin on one of your programs. As to the other, I’ve done the live presentations, and to date they really haven’t helped me yet. But I’m still hopeful that planning a few more might help out.

August 25th, 2011 | 3:08 PM

Val:

I’m so sorry. I keep meaning to comment on some of the interviews, particularly the ones with artists, but somehow it’s not happened yet. I have read most of them and did enjoy them so, for now, consider this a comment on them.

Mitch Mitchell Reply:
August 27th, 2011 at 4:45 PM

Val, I’m sure in spirit they’ve all appreciated that people enjoyed the interviews.

August 26th, 2011 | 9:58 PM

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