Measuring Influence by Showing Skills

by Bernie Goldbach in Clonmel

WE TEACH the concept of personal influence in a digital literacies module for the Technological University of the Shannon. I peel back the concept of "influence" until I reach the layer of "skills" because to have influence you need to have skills worth showcasing.

I measure my skills by the number of direct requests I get. For example, I got a request for a broadcast interview because someone thought I had a message worth hearing after they saw a video I created. A text message beeped on my phone from a graduate who asked me for a reference because a panel member in an upcoming interview is directly connected to me through a community group. These direct contacts tell me I have developed some influence. By looking back through my emails and inside my Obsidian Vault, I know the number of direct requests has dropped.

Since I want to boost my influence alongside a group of students I'm teaching, I'm going to follow my own suggestions. I have a plan.

Complete a baseline audit

I will quantify my online presence across three virtual spaces. I will list the number of followers or contacts that I have in each space. Then I will discuss the most-viewed and most-commented content that I have produced since we emerged from COVID.

Content Production

I will produce several forms of online content that I believe will increase views, connections, and direct contacts. I believe I need to make several pieces of long form content that demonstrates the following attributes:

1. I embrace new technology.
2. I have meaningful engagements with a trustworthy brand as well as with a reputable thought leader.
3. I share my evolution as a student of digital transformation.

Endpoint Audit

At the middle of May, before the ICT in Education Conference, I will publish my results. I plan to create a few podcasts about my journey.

[Bernie Goldbach teaches creative media for business on the Clonmel Digital Campus.]