Are You An Influencer?

An influencer, according to dictionary.com, is, “a person or thing that influences another,” or, in terms of marketing, “a person with the ability to influence potential buyers of a product or service by promoting or recommending the items on social media.” The top 20 Instagram influencers include a smattering of pop stars, soccer players, and Kardashians (for the most part). So, you’ll forgive me if I vomit a little in my mouth at the idea of being an influencer. However, if you are a podcaster, it would make sense that you are at least trying to have an influence. You may not be actively selling products on the strength of your celebrity, but you must be trying to influence someone if only to entertain. Otherwise, why record?

So, assuming that we podcasters are, indeed, influencers of some sort, the question begs to be asked, “Whom are you influencing?” And, perhaps more importantly, “To what end?”