Tom H. C. Anderson - Next Gen Market Research™

What it’s like to Be a Social Media Influencer
(10 Top Social Media Influencers Part II)

Today I asked my esteemed social media friends about how they first realized they had become influential and what it’s like to work with social media on a daily basis.

-Guy Kawasaki
Realized might be an influencer when… Car companies started sending me cars to drive
Best part of the job: Watching my follower count rise.
Worst part of job: Watching Robert Scoble’s follower count rise faster than mine
Couldn’t do it without: Snapz Pro and an Android tablet (use Samsung and Motorola)

-Paul Barron
Realized might be an influencer when… People actually started hunting me down in Airports when I checked in on Foursquare
Best part of the job: I get to have fun with people I love working with - and to think I get paid for this!
Worst part of job: That sometimes I have to tell someone they did it wrong, it hurts me but I know they will be better because of it.
Couldn’t do it without: My iPhone, Android, iPad, Mac Air and WIFI uhh is that too many on my personal hotspot?

-Liz Strauss
Realized might be an influencer when… My nephew was told by a friend he should follow me
Best part of the job: Being able to show people that they already know how to do what I do
Worst part of job: People who think they know everything
Couldn’t do it without: Knowing the goal

-Glen Gilmore
Realized might be an influencer when… People began reaching out to me with serious questions…and wanted to work with me more after I answered their questions
Best part of the job: Connecting with people
Worst part of job: Hard to identify — the key is finding something you love to do
Couldn’t do it without: Others…I’m on a constant search for mentors who are willing to share their insights and instruction.

-Scott Monty
Realized might be an influencer when… I was on a “list”
Best part of the job: Representing a historic global and American icon like Ford Motor Company
Worst part of job: The meetings
Couldn’t do it without: My colleagues

-Eve Mayer Orsburn
Realized might be an influencer when… I checked in on Foursquare at a Starbucks a year ago and someone came up to me to who knew me in person because they liked my book. Also I felt validated recently because Forbes said I was cool
Best part of the job: Managing people to their full potential and serving clients in every industry. How can you get bored when in a matter of days you’re doing Facebook for a dog with a travel show, Twitter for one of the biggest names in energy, YouTube for a luxury hotel and LinkedIn for an international financial company?
Worst part of job: Knowing how quick to grow. Social Media Delivered is in serious growth mode and I am conservative about hiring. Sometimes I second guess my instincts.
Couldn’t do it without: My staff at Social Media Delivered. They are brilliant, caring and hilarious people. We work very hard and we make sure to celebrate every success.

-Jason Falls
Realized might be an influencer when… I was invited to speak internationally for the first time. It was in London in 2008. Had a blast.
Best part of the job: I work for myself. I can say “no” to anyone if I need to. That never happened when I worked for someone else.
Worst part of job: Clients who don’t pay their bills on time. I did my work on time. What’s the problem?
Couldn’t do it without: My wife. She manages the house and the kids. I’m an innocent bystander in our family, but that’s so I can focus on work. She’s incredible and incredibly patient and sacrifices a lot so I can focus on work more than I probably should.

-Ted Coine
Realized might be an influencer when… Got a link to that Forbes article, last month. I’m still shocked, but in a good way of course

-Eric T. Tung
Realized might be an influencer when… I was mentioned in a Forbes blog post about having the most influential social network. I’m still not an influencer - the real influencers just happen to follow me!
Best part of the job: I can get fired for not being on facebook and twitter enough
Worst part of job: When others within the organization don’t understand how Social works
Couldn’t do it without: Electricity?

-Ann Handley
Realized might be an influencer when… Wait. Am I? When I recognize that and start leaning into it, someone slap me. Promise to, Tom?
Best part of the job: Hard to choose
Worst part of job: It’s hard to have down time. Much as I love my job, still…
Couldn’t do it without: My awesome colleagues at MarketingProfs. It’s a seriously inspiring team

Thanks again to everyone for participating. Personally I find the relentless 24/7/365 nature of social media as possibly the worst part of staying connected - getting to know so many people globally is definitely the best part for me.

Curious to hear what you think?

@TomHCAnderson
@OdinText