| How can you turn yourself from a virtual unknown into | | | | There's nothing more compelling than a crowd of |
| a great and powerful presence on line? In this article I | | | | people seeing, hearing and experiencing something |
| am going to show you how you can borrow a | | | | powerful together. Which is the secret ingredient in |
| strategy from horrible history, which will help you if you | | | | being successful in most things, including Social Media. |
| aspire to lead your own tribe, or followers in your | | | | And it's how you build The Triangle of Trust, which, |
| particular industry. | | | | once formed, is very hard to break. |
| A lot of people are fascinated by the darker side of | | | | So how can you bring a little bit ancient Rome into play |
| history. But although much of it is as far removed from | | | | here, and influence more people? How can you |
| modern life as it's possible to get, it occurred to me the | | | | generate the same crowd surge to get people |
| other day that Ancient Rome can teach us one key | | | | interested in your business for instance? |
| ingredient to becoming successful in any arena - | | | | - People love to gossip. People love a spectacle. This |
| particularly running a business, big or small. | | | | could be for several reasons, e.g. possibly to reassure |
| And this one crucial element is so powerful that, once | | | | themselves that it's not them suffering any pain, or to |
| ignited, almost nothing will stand in its way. We're talking | | | | relieve the tedium of their lives, or to look for inspiration |
| about... | | | | and leadership in others. |
| The power of Influence. | | | | - Human Beings are tribal. Because people like to feel |
| When the famous Gladiator Maximus Decimus | | | | that they belong,they look to each other to see what |
| Meridius, stepped into the arena for the very last time - | | | | their peers are doing and what choices they are |
| he had one thing on his side. On his quest for revenge, | | | | making before they make their own choices. With |
| 'The Spaniard' was very clear on his vision, and despite | | | | Social Media (with the use of the Facebook Like |
| having the odds stacked against him he used his | | | | Button for instance) - it's easy to see what choices |
| contacts and ultimately his influence to achieve iconic | | | | others are making and what decisions they've made. |
| status. | | | | - The majority of people want to be led and to look up |
| Massive crowds would be drawn to the Colosseum to | | | | to, and admire, their leaders. So if you aspire to lead |
| watch the Gladiators clash in a fight to the death. It | | | | and be known by leveraging Social Media for instance, |
| was public entertainment on a bloody and visceral | | | | start talking with conviction - stand up for what you |
| scale, and an accepted part of Roman culture. | | | | believe in and bravely share your vision with the world. |
| There was a collective gruesome voyeurism about it | | | | - You don't have to be the CEO of General Motors to |
| (much like public executions in Britain) which temporarily | | | | be a great role model. So even if you come from |
| welded people together, in such a way that normal folk | | | | Devon and make Ice Cream in your kitchen or knit |
| forgot their own problems. Because basically someone | | | | cardigans - everyone has a unique and compelling |
| else was 'for the chop'. | | | | story to tell |
| Now, the point to all this is that men are no longer | | | | - Today's iconic leaders are unique, transparent and |
| thrown to the lions, however human behaviour is | | | | talk from a place of authenticity |
| basically pretty much exactly the same as it was back | | | | - Share your story,your opinions and your unique take |
| then. So if you can influence the crowd you have a | | | | on the world on Twitter, Facebook and Linked In |
| huge advantage - particularly in the Social Media arena. | | | | - Find the hungry crowd on line who wants what |
| Our Gladiator was given probably the best piece of | | | | you're promoting - put yourself in the right arena |
| advice he would ever receive from his mentor..."Win | | | | - Create a spectacle, an event, a 'something' that |
| the crowd - and you win your freedom". Yes I know it | | | | either makes individuals feel that they are in on |
| was just a film - but the story holds true...for all of us | | | | something special or part of something innovative and |
| who yearn for success and the freedom to be their | | | | unique. |
| own person, on their own terms. But few have the | | | | For example the recent launch of the new iPad and |
| courage or the wits to achieve it. | | | | iPhone is a really good example. A lot of people really |
| Win the crowd and you win your freedom | | | | don't get this, and it can take a while for them to really |
| Because once the crowd gets to know you, they | | | | appreciate this - and when they do, they have |
| started to like you and then follow you. Then they will | | | | essentially turned themselves into teachers and |
| begin talking about you. If you can create what Seth | | | | leaders. The greatest of which are masters of |
| Godin calls a 'Tribe' = when what you say touches and | | | | influence. Are you ready to step up and fill those |
| connects with people - you have influence. | | | | shoes...? |