Like it or not, your digital identity is just as important—and in some ways more important—than the real you.
For many successful people, who are used to operating in worlds where their deeds are already known, this can come as a surprise.
Their achievements are impressive. They’ve worked hard to make a mark. They now own considerable assets that generate income, security, status.
But then, when they go outside of their environments, they discover they are little known.
In these places, people who have done much less—perhaps even peers or competitors—are consulted for their ideas. They are known, talked about, celebrated.
Their ideas are quoted on Twitter. They write a weekly newsletter that reaches thousands. They write books, give talks, and have a vision.
What’s the difference between them?
Why is one person seen as more relevant, more important, than the other?
Because the one person, the thought leader, has invested in creating a special asset with unique value: an audience.
In an age where the digital experience has primacy, having a robust digital presence–an audience–is not merely a desirable add-on, but a necessity.
It grants credibility, power, and magnetism to its owner.
Attention is the currency of the age; an audience is an attention-yielding asset.
Like any asset, it takes an investment of time, energy, or resources to acquire it.
It’s hard to think of another asset that has all of these attributes:
- Draws talent to you
- Generates deals
- Builds your legacy
- Enhances your social life
- Unlimited leverage
- Belongs only to you
- Gives expert feedback
- Opens doors to media/book deals
- More important than any resume
- Gets you invitations to closed doors
- Grants an insurance policy
- Strengthens credibility & reputation
- Brings fulfillment
As it has become increasingly apparent that every executive, founder, and investor is being evaluated in this light, more have tried to create this asset themselves.
What they have found is that while some can do it casually, on the side, most successful people do not have the time, inclination, commitment or (yes) knowledge to do it right.
Think of how beneficial it is to have people attending to your ideas.
Now ask: Why not me?
If you are a finance professional, you might be interested in reading this next: ‘Transforming Finance Leaders into Thought Leaders”
Building a valuable audience can also lead to high-profile engagements. Find out in this article:”How to Get Elon Musk to Share Your Writing“.
