Ideas in Action: Becoming a Gatekeeper in Your Industry

Empowering the High-Value Little People - How to Share Your Ideas Safely

We live in a world where countless individuals compete for your attention online and in person. There are esteemed gatekeepers, expert content creators, and knowledge leaders with extensive real-world experience and a broad network of devoted supporters.

Conversely, some people share their thoughts with minimal value, while others possess valuable insights but have limited influence due to their smaller networks or lack of experience. Their limited influence does not make their creations any less useful. However, esteemed gatekeepers, expert content creators, and knowledge leaders overshadow these 'little people' almost as if they did not exist, at least in the scope of more significant influence measures.

This article will provide insights into the success of gatekeepers, how you can embody their habits to become a high-valued gatekeeper, and, more importantly, the challenges faced by the high-valued 'little people,' how they can overcome the challenges of becoming a gatekeeper, and why it's important for readers, watchers, and users to give these individuals a chance and actively support their endeavors.

The High-Value Gatekeepers and Knowledge Leaders

These people have already established themselves as experts and usually have hundreds of thousands of loyal consumers. They are at this level for the very reasons that they have:

1. Put in the work consistently
2. Access to substantial financial resources since building and implementing a creation based on an idea is not free. It costs money to build a team, pay for advertising, and build a network of loyal users of your idea. I know this is the last thing that most knowledge leaders probably want to think about, but without it, making your idea have the influence you wish to make it much more difficult. Picture it like this: investing in a child’s education needs financial support. If you stop paying, the support stops, and the child can no longer get that specific type of education.
3. They built up their communication skills and created or joined a network with like-minded people who could support their work. This could have even been a team working on the same creation, or it might have just been kind enough people with big networks of their own who were willing to help this gatekeeper find an audience willing to listen, try out, share, and follow them loyally and,
4. Implemented an idea that resonated with the masses on an innate level, meaning that it was practical enough for them to solve a problem they did not have a solution for or thought about before. In some cases, it may have been the solution they were looking for that even works better than the one they were trying out before.

This list is not exhaustive of a gatekeeper's qualities, but I have noticed that these are at the top of the list if you want to make your ideas pop out. These four things are a must to have a loyal following.

Masses Following

People are loyal followers of the gatekeepers because of the value they offer. However, this value does not mean it is the only value available to them, as plenty of other people are vying for their attention and money, whether for a positive cause or not. Unfortunately, as flawed humans, it’s easy to be fooled by people who don’t offer the best value. It’s often the case that some people who think they are offering the best value are fooling themselves.

Most of the time, this isn’t their fault because people naturally have vested interests in their creations and genuinely believe what they have created is the best thing in the world. People can continuously improve their creations; therefore, if you are a loyal follower, you should always know there are other ways to improve and invest in better things that will help you improve your lives.

Of course, if the content you found truly helps you progress, you should stick with it, but you should still look for other ways to improve. Take off the horse blinders while still staying focused on your path.

How to Protect Yourself From Idea Piranhas

Idea piranhas are those who prey on the creativity and hard work of others. They can be individuals or entities that deliberately steal or subtly undermine innovative ideas. They often operate covertly, making it difficult to detect their actions until significant damage has been done.

Examples of How Idea Piranhas

Operate in the Tech Industry: In the tech world, idea piranhas might steal innovative software concepts or app designs and present them as their own. This can happen in startups, where ideas are shared freely during collaborations and pitches.

Arts: In the arts, idea piranhas might replicate unique artistic styles or concepts, gaining fame and financial reward at the expense of the original creator.

Academia: In academic circles, idea piranhas might plagiarize research or take undue credit for collaborative work, impacting the careers of the true originators.

Potential Consequences

Loss of Recognition: When your ideas are stolen, you lose the acknowledgment and credit you deserve, which can affect your professional reputation and career growth.

Financial Loss: Idea theft can lead to significant financial losses, especially if your ideas are monetized by others without your consent.Demotivation: Falling victim to idea piranhas can be deeply demotivating, leading to decreased creative output and a reluctance to share future ideas.

Understanding the tactics of idea piranhas and taking steps to protect your intellectual property ensures your creativity and hard work are rightfully recognized and rewarded.

Educate Yourself About the Latest Research

Staying informed about current trends and research in your field should be one of your priorities.

Strategies for keeping up-to-date:

• Subscribe to relevant journals, newsletters, and blogs.
• Attend conferences, webinars, and workshops.
• Join professional associations and online forums.

Doing all three of the above have the extended benefits of being well-informed which helps you to enhance your credibility and authority in your field and identify and counteract potential threats, like from idea pirahnas, to your ideas or progress in your career.

Educate Yourself About the Gatekeeper’s History

Make sure you are well informed about the identity of the gatekeepers in various contexts (e.g., publishers, investors, influencers), as they hold much power in your industry. It’s important to work your way up into the network of the gatekeepers in your industry. Do not make yourself an enemy, but also make yourself valuable. You can do the following to build your network and worth.

Researching the background and track record of gatekeepers you interact with:

• Look for reviews, testimonials, and case studies.
• Check their previous dealings and how they’ve treated other innovators.

Tips for approaching gatekeepers:

• Prepare a thorough and compelling pitch.
• Highlight the unique value and potential impact of your ideas.
• Build relationships and establish trust before sharing sensitive information.

I think doing the above may take time, but the time you spend diligently will pay off in the coming years.

When you produce high-quality work and build good connections with gatekeepers and their network around them who can tangibly see your work, you will be well on your way to becoming a gatekeeper yourself.

The High-Value Little People

High-value little people are the support staff, junior colleagues, and lesser-known influencers who play a crucial role in any industry. Though I coined this term, its significance is evident. Many high-value little people strive to make a mark on their industry, while others might just be getting by. For the sake of this discussion, we focus on those striving for greatness.

Only a few high achievers can reach gatekeeper status in the ecosystem of careers and fame. However, this doesn't diminish the contributions of the strivers. They are vital to the ecosystem, offering great work even if their reach isn’t as wide. And that's perfectly fine.

As a consumer, you can help high-value little people access better opportunities by doing the following:

Foster Open Communication and Collaboration

Engage with these individuals by providing feedback and initiating dialogue. Acknowledge their efforts publicly, which can amplify their visibility. Platforms like LinkedIn or professional forums are excellent venues for this.

Provide Opportunities for Professional Growth and Recognition

Mentorship can be incredibly impactful. Don't hesitate to offer support if you possess skills or connections that could benefit them. This can include recommending them for projects, suggesting them for speaking engagements, or connecting them with influential figures in your network.

Show Appreciation and Reward Contributions

Recognize their efforts through awards, testimonials, or endorsements. A study by Globoforce found that 78% of employees are motivated to work harder when their efforts are recognized and appreciated. Simple acts of appreciation can significantly boost morale and encourage continued excellence.

Although it is completely up to the high-value little people to get their jobs done, they can't do it alone. With your help, they can boost their credibility and continue to produce the best work possible. Overall, this helps all ecosystems thrive.

If You Strive to Become a Gatekeeper, Then Share Your High-Valued Ideas

Becoming a gatekeeper in your field—someone who controls access to valuable resources and information—requires strategic thinking and careful management of your high-valued ideas. Here are some essential tips to help you on this journey:

1. Strategic Sharing

Start Small and Build Trust: Share your ideas incrementally. Begin with a small group of trusted individuals and expand gradually. Just as I began with BookMattic in 2015 and gradually built my audience from there, you will go through a metamorphosis as you get positive and negative feedback from people you choose to share with. This allows you to build trust and your network and gauge interest without fully exposing your ideas.

• Tip: Host small brainstorming sessions or focus groups to get feedback and build a support network.

Use Non-Disclosure Agreements (NDAs): Depending on the sensitivity, when discussing ideas with new partners or collaborators, use NDAs to ensure confidentiality and legal protection. This prevents misuse of your ideas and sets clear boundaries.

• Tip: Have a standard NDA template ready for potential collaborators.

2. Secure Your Intellectual Property

Legal Protections: Protect your ideas through patents, trademarks, or copyrights. These legal tools provide exclusive rights and can deter potential idea theft. You can set up your website and social media handles from the get-go, as there are bound to be idea piranas who want to steal what you are creating. There will be copycats.

• Tip: Consult with an intellectual property attorney to understand the best protection for your ideas.

Document Everything: Not only will keeping detailed records of your idea development process, including dates, iterations, and contributions, benefit your organization, but it will also help you continuously elaborate on your ideas. This documentation can be crucial in proving ownership.

• Tip: Use digital notebooks or project management software to keep organized records.

3. Build a Strong Personal Brand

Showcase Your Expertise: Develop a robust personal brand that highlights your expertise and achievements. Use social media, personal websites, and professional platforms like LinkedIn to showcase your work. It isn’t a requirement to post all the time. However, best practices indicate that consistency is key for growth, even if you only post once a month. Social media does not determine your worth. The actual quality of your work outcomes does.

• Tip: Even if you aren’t posting daily or weekly, you still have to ensure your profiles are updated with your latest projects, publications, and achievements. Remember, consistency is key.

Engage with Your Audience: Build an online/and offline presence by engaging with your audience through blogs, YouTube, webinars, and social media posts. This establishes you as a thought leader in your field.

• Tip: Do not forget the value of in-person meetings, events, workshops, or any other occasion where you see people in person. Sometimes, people get so hyped up about how easy it is to spread influence online that they need face-to-face interactions to remember that their influence will die out quickly. Face-to-face interactions can better help build a long-lasting positive impression which can help you share insights, answer questions, and participate in discussions to build your reputation.

4. Build a Trusted Network

Collaborate and Connect: Actively seek out mentors, advisors, and peers who can provide guidance and support. Collaboration can lead to new opportunities and insights.

• Tip: Meet potential collaborators at industry conferences, workshops, and networking events. These are the events where everyone in your industry meets and connects. If you aren’t there, no one will know about you. Get out of your house and commit to going to these events regularly.

Foster Open Communication: Encourage open communication and feedback from your network. This helps you refine your ideas and build strong professional relationships.

• Tip: Create a feedback loop by regularly soliciting and incorporating input from your network. This can also be feedback from your online networks and social media. Your followers and viewers may have insights you never thought about before. Use this as an opportunity to reflect and grow.

5. Monitor and Adapt

Stay Informed: I’m a huge advocate for continuous learning and know that immersing yourself in your field will help you grow. Stay up-to-date with your field's latest research, trends, and developments. This enhances your credibility and helps you identify and counteract potential threats to your ideas.

• Tip: Subscribe to relevant journals, newsletters, and blogs. Attend conferences, webinars, and workshops. However, remember to apply the relevant aspects from all the learning materials you’ve gained.

Set Up Alerts: Use tools like Google Alerts to monitor mentions of your work and keep track of industry news. This proactive approach helps you stay ahead of potential infringements. It’ll also help you see who checks and mentions your work. This is an opportunity to build your network, reach out to the people and organizations mentioning you, and tend to that relationship.

6. Be Proactive and Resilient

Develop a Resilient Mindset: Not every idea will succeed, and setbacks are part of the journey. Learn from failures and stay persistent.

• Tip: Keep a reflective journal to document what you have learned and how you have grown from successes and failures. Depending on your reflection, build on your experiences, pivot, or stay the course.

Continuously Improve: Always look for ways to improve your ideas and execution. This continuous improvement mindset can set you apart as a leader and innovator.

• Tip: Seek constructive criticism and use it to refine and enhance your ideas.

Following these tips, you can strategically share your high-valued ideas, protect your intellectual property, and build a supportive network. This balanced approach safeguards your concepts and positions you as a thought leader and gatekeeper in your field.

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Recap of Key Points:

• Strategic Sharing: Share your ideas incrementally and use NDAs.
• Secure Intellectual Property: Protect through patents, trademarks, or copyrights.
• Build a Strong Personal Brand: Highlight your expertise and engage with your audience.
• Build a Trusted Network: Seek mentors and collaborators and foster open communication.
• Monitor and Adapt: Stay informed about the latest research and set up alerts for mentions of your work.
• Be Proactive and Resilient: Develop a resilient mindset and continuously seek improvement.

Call to Action

We live in a world where countless individuals compete for your attention online and in person. Esteemed gatekeepers, expert content creators, and knowledge leaders have extensive experience and networks. Still, many high-value little people contribute significantly despite lacking the same reach.

To support these individuals and contribute to a thriving ecosystem, we encourage you to take the following steps:

• Foster Open Communication and Collaboration: Show appreciation for their work and share it with your network.
• Provide Opportunities for Growth: Offer mentorship, recommend them for projects, and connect them with influential figures.
• Show Appreciation and Reward Contributions: Recognize their efforts through awards, testimonials, or endorsements.

Although high-value little people must ultimately get their jobs done, your support can boost their credibility and help them continue to produce outstanding work, benefiting the entire ecosystem.

Your ideas are valued.

I invite you to share your experiences and tips in the comments section.

• Have you ever supported a high-value little person or taken steps to protect your ideas?
• How has this impacted your career?

I’d love to hear from you!

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