If you wish to learn anything as few of us are original thinkers you need to look and listen!
Me, when I started gardening at first, I asked my Granddad or father who put me on the right track, I think, now I have an allotment there are three elderly men on there whom are nicknamed the "grow to show crew" they are very helpful with their advice and plants etc, if you listen to them as they not only grow lots of flowers and vegetables to eat but grow for the show bench, but not for the last few years much to their disgust.
Get very little new info from watching GW, after all i could sow seeds, plant bulbs and wield a pair of shears since I was knee high.
It just has a totally different meaning from 'influence'. I'd never have called my Dad an influencer - he influenced me. It's not quite the same
I'd reckon those who have adopted the word are trying to create a bit of wishful thinking. It would seem that many fall for it though, and if you consider the companies that fall over themselves to get them to push their products, it must be working!
It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
I agree, @Fairygirl, the word "influencer" as it is used today has no connection with its former (proper!) usage for someone who influenced us in a positive or motivational way, like parents and teachers who encouraged us to do well at school, sport, hobbies and to make suitable career and personal choices.
Today's "influencers" are the product of the internet, social media and digital marketing. Some may well be clever and entrepreneurial but many are just being used as marketing tools by commercial firms who can no longer reach their audiences by the traditional media of newspapers, radio and television.
It seems to me that today's "get rich quick" mentality is based on "me too" thinking, lack of talent and no appreciation of the effort required to make your own satisfactory way in the world. The world moves on, but I'm not sure in which direction!
I'd agree with the above comments. Growing up, you can't help but be "influenced" by your family, your friends, your school. As you grow older, you decide for yourself. So much SM content seems to be intent on convincing people to be someone they are not or never will be - fantasy world to say the least. I do feel sorry for those children/young people who have no other guidance than the crap SM spews out 24/7.
It seems that most of us wouldn't be influenced by influencers. I'm guessing that most of us are older than the young influencers are targeting. It would be interesting to know what a teenager or 20's person thinks of them. My granddaughter is due to phone me any time about now so I'll ask what her opinion is.
As has been said, I think the term "Influencer" can be taken quite widely. Many have had an influence via the internet, without setting out to be stars. Someone like Charles Dowding has a strong presence and following. He does regard himself as the deviser and leader of a movement. His views and vids etc have had a massive impact. I don't think he's angled at teens or young people, particularly.
I have been influenced (learn stuff) via online teachers and researchers, as I have by wise souls on this forum, which I why I hunt them out. I suspect lots of regulars here don't tend to view this forum as Social Media.
G daughter said similar things Fire. There are 3 main channels that they work on. She's of the opinion that some aren't a good influence for young people because they promote or suggest such things as that being thin or having a certain lifestyle (rich) is the way to be but are obviously false. Others promote a healthy way of living and a good mind and appear to be more believable.
I asked her if she had been influenced to buy anything by watching social media and she had, just once. a pair of pajamas just before Christmas. She'd seen them on 2 channels and liked them and that they weren't a spur of the moment purchase.
I asked what her overall thoughts about the influencers were and she said they are ok if you don't believe everything they say and even if they appear to be genuine they are there to sell products.
G daughter is nearly 23, well grounded, is saving to get married so doesn't throw her money around. My goodness I'm pleased that she is the way that she is but is all that much different from watching ads on TV or, as Fire suggests, taking part in social forums as we do?
"is all that much different from watching ads on TV or, as Fire suggests, taking part in social forums as we do? "
I was interested to read about the pyschology of bloggers, Youtube stars, FB, Insta etc etc, in that there are conscious strategies to make the readers feel like genuine friends, offering confidences and getting enmeshed in very personal stories. The personal relationships feel closer online than they do, for me, via TV, radio or film - re opinion or products. I certainly feel more friendly with people on this forum or on neighbourhood Whatsapp groups than I ever felt to anyone on TV, even though we never meet in person.
Influencers know that the human brain is not remotely rational and doesn't much like to spend time reasoning, as it's too expensive in time and energy. It's a slog. Instead, it tends to learn via personal stories and narratives. Someone is much more likely to remember a tale their grandmother always told or the golden rules of their beloved gardening uncle. Viewers will hang on the words of a seemingly warm, encouraging vlogger that they trust and have enjoyed for years. They can exchange messages with "star" celebs, go to events, buy things the celebs love, and it reinforces the personal connection. The govt could bang on forever about the benefits of sunscreen, but if a famous pop star start raving about the youthful effects of SFP, you have yourself a viral meme, in days or even hours.
I put my personal current passion for roses entirely down to the effect of the forum rose thread. Years of looking at dozens of growers' rose experiments and successes here is affecting. I often exchange messages with writers of Guardian articles, and I do think I feel more affectionate to the ones that come down and chat with people in the comments sections. I admit I do get a kick when I get a personal message from a famous journalist. I would say that with those relationships I do feel a kind genuine affection - I feel buoyed by their triumphs. I buy those writers books, I share their articles with friends, their opinions and tastes change me. I would describe myself as a fan.
Perhaps the experience is more akin to getting lost in a beloved novel and feeling moved by the character - understanding their heart break or fired up by their determination. Their initmate thoughts are shared with you and you travel with them. It's beguiling.
Posts
I'd reckon those who have adopted the word are trying to create a bit of wishful thinking. It would seem that many fall for it though, and if you consider the companies that fall over themselves to get them to push their products, it must be working!
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
Today's "influencers" are the product of the internet, social media and digital marketing. Some may well be clever and entrepreneurial but many are just being used as marketing tools by commercial firms who can no longer reach their audiences by the traditional media of newspapers, radio and television.
It seems to me that today's "get rich quick" mentality is based on "me too" thinking, lack of talent and no appreciation of the effort required to make your own satisfactory way in the world. The world moves on, but I'm not sure in which direction!
As you grow older, you decide for yourself. So much SM content seems to be intent on convincing people to be someone they are not or never will be - fantasy world to say the least.
I do feel sorry for those children/young people who have no other guidance than the crap SM spews out 24/7.
I asked her if she had been influenced to buy anything by watching social media and she had, just once. a pair of pajamas just before Christmas. She'd seen them on 2 channels and liked them and that they weren't a spur of the moment purchase.
I asked what her overall thoughts about the influencers were and she said they are ok if you don't believe everything they say and even if they appear to be genuine they are there to sell products.
G daughter is nearly 23, well grounded, is saving to get married so doesn't throw her money around. My goodness I'm pleased that she is the way that she is but is all that much different from watching ads on TV or, as Fire suggests, taking part in social forums as we do?