“Having an online network will help you survive difficult times.”
(Even if you are a cat 🐈).
This article is a heart-warming exploration of parasocial relationships.
That is, the connections that we form with
influencers, media personalities, performers,
and other public personalities.
If we want to understand how ideas reach scale,
we need to understand something about parasocial relationships.
Because many thought leaders create parasocial relationships
with their followers.
When you step on stage, you assume a role.
You take on a persona.
And people see fragmented glimpses of who you are
and how you think.
People will:
👀Watch your TED talk,
🦻 Listen to your podcast
📨 Read your newsletter
📕 Buy a book
And over time, they begin to know you and how you think.
They form a parasocial relationship with you.
They feel that they know *you*.
And they will listen to the ideas that you share. 💡
They may even be prompted to take action.
Most of the time, that’s a like or a comment.
Some of the time, it might be a commercial relationship.
And if you’re really lucky, they’ll help you escape a war zone.
How are you managing your thought leadership persona?
And are your followers invested in you/your idea?
Will they help open a door?
Will they speak on your behalf?
Post-Script
I’m the proud owner of two cats.
So, I’m not dissing Stepan 😺.
(He’s certainly got many more followers than me!)
I’ve been amazed by the photos
of Ukrainian refugees carrying their pets
with them as they seek safety.
Link to Article by Washington Post – How Stepan, Ukraine’s most famous cat, escaped the war to safety
