Regular readers of this blog will know that Chris Brogan is a guy I have a lot of time for. As someone into social media and how it can help me and my clients, the insights that Chris shares with his own followers, whether they be via his blog or on Twitter, is immense. I’m sure I can safely say, without sounding like a brown nose, that anyone that knows, reads or follows Chris would agree.
Because of Chris’s nature, he currently has over 13,000 blog subscribers and almost 23,000 followers on Twitter. When you have that kind of sway, I guess it’s easy for people to look to you for help in promoting their stuff. Although not deliberately, I’ve probably been guilty of it myself – I guess it’s human nature.
But should we rely on one person to spread the word about something? Should we regularly be sending an email or Direct Message through Twitter asking for a shout out about our latest blog? Aren’t we all capable of promoting someone or highlighting greatness instead?
Another social media “heavyweight” is Seth Godin, whose latest book Tribes advises us all to be leaders and make changes through belief in ourselves and those around us. Chris has a similar mantra, although he calls his followers/leaders Rockstars.
Maybe it’s time to become these rockstars just a little more. While we can follow Chris and continue to learn from him, we should ask less of him (and anyone else). We should spread the good word about others more often, as opposed to asking others to spread it about us. It’s what everyone keeps saying social media is all about – shouldn’t we be practising it more?
We’ll always need our figureheads and leaders to look to and learn from. But if we dilute their passion by asking for the me instead of helping with the us, we may just lose what it is that makes their reason for being in the first place.
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I really enjoyed your viewpoint here. As a brand new blogger and someone only a couple weeks in to Twitter, the information I receive via Tweets and blogs has been invaluable. I actually e-mailed Chris Brogan and asked him advise to which he responded, almost immediately. That to me, makes someone a “Rock Star” … Even with the success he has achieved and the time he puts in to passing along this valuable information, he took the time to respond when he could have easily blown it off or simply ignored it. This speaks volumes to his integrity. Before I entered into the world of Twitter two weeks ago I had never heard of Chris Brogan and since then I read his name (always accompanied by accolades) at least a couple dozen times a day. I hope to learn from and follow in the footsteps of the Chris Brogans and the Danny Browns.
Very well said. Spoken by a true leader.
@ Sandra. Your example is the perfect definition of what makes Chris such a respected figure. The fact that he does take time out to answer people, both via email and Twitter, despite the hundreds (thousands?) of similar messages to offer you his help speaks volumes of why he’s held in such high regard. Not quite sure I agree with my mention alongside him, but thank you for the kind compliment nonetheless
@ Susan. Thank you so much, Susan, for your kind comment – I feel suitably humbled and hope I can keep your interest.
Well said, my friend. There is a tendency for people to take advantage of the vast networks that the leaders of our communities have worked so hard to build. It’s kind of unfair to expect one person to take on the responsibility of promoting, tweeting or shouting out the interests of all the others.
The true meaning of a Rockstar, in my understanding, is someone who is a participant and a contributor in a community, not someone who expects the world of others and provides little or nothing in return.
We should all be a little more respectful of the time and influence of those who are leading and teaching us in this space, and as Danny says, focus on spreading the good word of others a little more often instead of just worrying about ourselves.
Susan Murphy´s last blog post..Social Media is NOT an Innovation
Completely agree, Suze – it’s probably because people like Chris, and others like him, are so open that makes us “push” so easily. At the end of the day, they are just human beings as well with lives to lead and families to be with. If we look at how precious our time is in our lives, it may make it easier to acknowledge other people’s contributions and help out more ourselves.
Twitter: lizzharmon
As always, so well said, Danny. Chris Brogan is definitely one of the greats. But what you did yesterday with your list of PR pros is similarly valuable and makes you a standout and a leader in social media. You’re making strides to use your influences to make a difference and that’s where it starts. Those who follow you and read your blog are learning from you, and you’re doing it the right way. You’re leading by example. Chris has always taken time to respond to my tweets, and I’ve learned a lot from him. I look forward to continuing to learn from you too.
Thanks for providing fresh content that makes us think.
Well said. I think of CB’s Rockstars more as roadies. It’s nice to ride on someone else’s coattails, especially as a way to get noticed, but sooner or later you have to create your own content, space, meme, or whatever buzzword you want to fit into the social networking world.
ChrisG.com posted a comment about one of the sites I support and signups increase tenfold the 2 days following his post and then dropped back to their normal rates. I’d love to see what happens to a site that has a push from Seth.
Richard McLaughlin´s last blog post..Is Offshoring Unpatriotic
@ Lizz. Thank you very much, Lizz. Hopefully I’ll continue to not let you down, although lists like the PR one are easy to make when the inhabitants are such high quality.
@ Aoi. Good analogy – it’s like when children have to decide when to break away from their parents’ apron strings. It’s not always easy but it is always for the best.
@ Richard. That’s the great thing about these type of people, Richard – they have incredible influence and are always willing to help. We just need to make sure we don’t demand it unchecked.
Ah, Danny. I knew I really liked you.
We all need shepherds (or in Mssr. Brogan’s case, pirate captains, I guess). It gives us something to strive for, to aspire to. I know Chris inspires me.
But YES. Can we please stop entreating those in positions of leadership to carry us all the time? The more we’re asking them to do the heavy lifting for us, the less time they have to keep doing what we most need them to do – blazing the trail ahead.
We each have the capacity to give more than we get, and I’m with you and ready to rock.
Good Article. I’ve always felt that if you make things about you, you won’t get anywhere. Good networking is about an entire group, not just yourself. If everyone looks at the passion Chris has and applies it to their own life, you will become more successful.
Hi Danny, great post, thank you! I LOVE twitter because it is so easy to meet others, serve them AND have a voice. Worrying about myself or selling my product really becomes secondary if not redundant. People like Chris lead the way in showing others how to do just that. I think a lot of people push sales because that’s what they know.
The other thing I like about twitter is that everyone CAN become a rock star on their own terms. How cool is that?? I personally like warming up to it slowly. It’s less overwhelming that way
BTW I think they suspended twitterbomb …
Karin Manske´s last blog post..Zarobki na blogach: listopad 2008
@ Amber. Thank you – I’m a sucker for nice words about likeability
. I agree, the weight of the world can be a heavy burden for anyone’s shoulders (even a big guy like Chris!). We all need to shoulder the burden and help each other pave the way. And just so you know, I’ll bring a spare guitar! 
@ Chris. Thank you, Chris, glad you enjoyed the post. There’s definitely a fine line between me and we, but like you say, if we all realize it’s about the group then we’ll move forward much more quicker and successfully.
@ Karin. That’s a fantastic outlook you have there – “everyone can become Rockstars”. This is the great thing about social media – everyone has a part to play, and it can be as big or as small as you like. Yet to someone, even the smallest help may be the biggest thing to them.
I did notice that about Tweetbomb – I made a quick update to my post, and we’ll see what happens. I think it’s still a great idea and a fun way to use Twitter – just needs to be fine-tuned a little.
Thanks for your comments guys, always appreciated.
Well said!
I find myself requesting help from others, even if I don’t necessarily plan to do so directly.
It’s nice when people like Jim Connolly and Chris Brogan are available to help teach us about what they do, and how they do it so well.
Michael “Shogun” Hatamoto´s last blog post..Tech sales okay; consumers wait for Cyber Monday
Hey Danny,
I’ve been following you for a while I’ve been learning a lot from you and Chris. I’ve been thinking about this more and more lately and it’s made me re-evaluate my take on social media. While we all can see that those who don’t understand the nature of the game ( I.e. spammers, marketers , so called gurus) are ignored in our social circles.
One really important aspect that I’ve learned from both you and chris is that you need to follow your own path. Learn and share, we’ve all got great ideas and really interesting things to share.
Again this post is right on target. I am glad I subscribe to you and consider you a great influence on me and what I’m learning.
Adam Gainer´s last blog post..Who is Influencing Your Shopping This Holiday Season?
@ Adam. I think that’s the key message, probably both in social media and life in general. We can all take in the information around us, and it’s then up to us how we use it – keep it to ourselves, share it, or feed little drips of chosen information.
But at the end of the day, it all boils down to the fact we still have to make these decisions – no-one will make it for us. I’m touched that you feel you’re learning from me (learning from Chris should be a given, anyway!) and I hope I can continue to provide interesting and helpful information.
Twitter: datejapangirls
Followed Chris on twitter, wow he’s got a lot of folloers! Wish he would follow back too.
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