INFLUENZING

 The Oxford dictionary tells us:

influence
/ˈɪnflʊəns/
verb
gerund or present participle: influencing
have an influence on.
"government regulations can influence behaviour, but often without changing underlying values and motivations"
synonyms: affect, have an effect on, exert influence on.

Marketing Hub tells us:

What is an influencer?
An influencer is an individual who has the power to affect purchase decisions of others because of his/her authority, knowledge, position or relationship with his/her audience.
An individual who has a following in a particular niche, which they actively engage with. The size of the following depends on the size of the niche.

Influencers are like a modern version of mosquitos. You don't want them near you when you are socialising, relaxing or otherwise going about your business but there they are, buzzing, biting, stinging and generally being annoying. They look pretty but you can't trust anything they say as they are saying what the say because they are being paid to say it.

Marketing Hub tells us that there are four types of influencers.

Types of Influencers

The majority of influencers fit into the following categories, with the last category rapidly becoming the most important:

• Celebrities
• Industry experts and thought leaders
• Bloggers and content creators
• Micro Influencers

The bulk of social influencer marketing today occurs in social media, predominantly with micro influencers, and blogging. Industry experts and thought leaders such as journalists can also be considered influencers and hold an important position for brands. Then there are celebrities. These were the original influencers, and they still have a role to play, although their importance as influencers is waning.
Bloggers and influencers in social media (predominantly micro-bloggers) have the most authentic and active relationships with their fans. Brands are now recognizing (sic) and encouraging this.

These people reach thousands, hundreds of thousands and even millions of people and make silly amounts of money from doing so. (think Kylie Jenner who has supposedly become a billionaire from being and influencer and marketing cosmetics and other 'must have' products).

Looking at Marketing Hub's list I note that I could be an influencer as I have quite a few blogs and already have two readers and followers. I haven't checked whether I'm making any money yet but the potential is there. I just need to hook up with some brands and products that are looking for an outlet.

I was going to say that I'll let you know when I do but the best influencers go about their business subtly with their readers and followers not realising that they are being influenced. Pol Roger Champagne.

*****************

I'm thinking though that Influencing and Influencers are more like some sort of virus - Influenza.

Wikipedia tells us that:

Influenza, commonly known as the flu, is an infectious disease caused by an influenza virus. Symptoms can be mild to severe. The most common symptoms include: high fever, runny nose, sore throat, muscle pains, headache, coughing, sneezing, and feeling tired. These symptoms typically begin two days after exposure to the virus and most last less than a week. The cough, however, may last for more than two weeks. In children, there may be diarrhoea and vomiting, but these are not common in adults. Diarrhoea and vomiting occur more commonly in gastroenteritis, which is an unrelated disease and sometimes inaccurately referred to as "stomach flu" or the "24-hour flu". Complications of influenza may include viral pneumonia, secondary bacterial pneumonia, sinus infections, and worsening of previous health problems such as asthma or heart failure.


Yes, that's a bit like the feeling you have if you ever read a Jenner or Kardashian website or Instagram post.