“The Influence Project”, Fast Company’s new social media experiment? - Midstream Followup

If asked why I would post this here I would immediately answer (because I have already given it some thought), that there is a sense of enthusiasm and vibrancy that exists amongst this group that I find lacking in many places. It is because of this that I would hope to see a conversation develop regarding the relevancy of one's visibility on the web. I know that may sound somewhat flip, especially when one looks at the growth rate of social media, but it is a question I am truly trying to solidify in my own mind. Is one's influence over a tightly defined group more important than one's reach throughout the world? I am using Fast Company's, "The Influence Project" as a starter to the conversation.

Honestly, I tried to start this conversation on another respected blog, but found no traction. It's readership seemed to discount "The Influence Project" as being more of a publicity effort, than a true attempt at establishing who is the most influential person on the web. My take on that conversation was that neither the method for intake of data, nor the data itself would probably meet empirical testing standards, however through participation one might come to learn a fair amount regarding themselves and their alter ego on the web. I also agreed that whom ever was named the most influential person should probably not put too much stock in that honor, and simply use it for what it will be and that is good publicity.

Midstream into the project it might be a little easier to create a discussion because results are starting to show. I registered within a few days of the project start. I ranked in the 2nd percentile. I published the article I have included below on my blog at ecademy and on my personal blog, as well as, one other small site of a friend of mine. I also have posted a note with a URL on twitter and 2 other similar sites. As of this writing I am now ranked 518th and am in the 96th percentile. Mari Smith, who seems to be the social media queen of enthusiasm, is ranked 1st, and Guy Kawasaki, who has a very large personal following because of his company, ALLTOP and his history at Apple, is currently ranked 26th. I find it interesting that Guy K. has been falling in the rankings, just a few days ago he was ranked 12th.

For the record I want everyone who reads this to understand that I consider myself a nobody on the web. I have simply been feeling my way around for a couple of years trying to figure it out. Having said that though, I do have a pretty good reach. That point I believe is proving itself out with this project. When looking at their scoring matrix a person gets credit (the most I believe) when people directly register for the project through their personal link and then they also are given credit (not as much) for every time someone clicks on their link, whether they register or not. To date I have 1 person who registered through my link, not much influence I would say. Mari Smith's registration looks like a never ending wedding cake, going down tier after tier, with each tier tightly decorated with hundreds of what must be faithful followers, and Guy Kawasaki's results display like a wedding cake as well, however the decorations appear to be applied much more randomly and do become more scarce the further down you go.

Does this mean anything, I am not sure and is the reason I have brought it up here. Before I commit myself to fully developing my web persona I would like to have a little better understanding of what I will call the organizational psychology of what goes on in this new digital world.

My original article follow:

To sort through one’s past is a bit like looking through that old apple crate, handed down from your late, great uncle. Filled with dusty old clippings, the odd pocket knife, a few photos and some miscellaneous
oddments that crate of stuff might raise questions in your mind; “Who was my
great uncle, really? What impact did he have? Did he have an influence?” For most of us, if we were to shake out our
own crate we would no better be able to answer those questions about ourselves
than we could about that great uncle your parents were so fond of. That is
until now…………… http://fcinf.com/v/an94

Well, honestly, that is a stretch; however, Fast Company Magazine has embarked on a new social media experiment called, “The Influence Project.” Each participant is given a
personal URL, very few rules of engagement, in fact I don’t think there are
any, and encouragement to go forth.

To participate one risks being branded as an egotist; after all you get your picture in a magazine. I choose to simply look at it as a bit of fun and a chance to learn a little more about the power of social media, as
a participant, not simply an observer.
If you would be interested to test yourself and have a bit of fun too,
please follow along by clicking the link above or at the end. If you are just
curious I have provided a link to a Fast Company article that explains it all, The
Influence Project Projecthttp://ct.fastcompany.com/go2.shtml?CcuG3oegyYiSWwRP/279e7d7a2caf9d...
.

Please assist me in this social media project. It’s quick, easy & a little bit fun. http://fcinf.com/v/an94