People Are Not Clicks

If you speak, write, podcast, or are an influencer/entrepreneur who does LinkedIn Lives, You Tube Videos; there’s an emphasis on marketing your programs, products and podcasts with the goal of increasing clicks, conversion, views, reviews, forwards, followers and fans.

And that’s important.

We're running businesses so that counts.

Yet may we never forget the purpose of it all is to make a positive difference in the lives of the people who participate in, use, purchase, read, watch, and listen to our offerings.

Understanding how busy we all are, it is still worth setting aside time to listen to this incredibly inspiring year-end Rich Roll podcast where he invited his listeners to share their stories about how they'd been impacted by his show and the guests he's interviewed.

Boy, did they share their stories.

It's impossible to listen to this without being deeply moved by the human condition. By the tragedies, troughs, trials, traumas - and ultimately, the triumph of the human spirit.

As we listen to story after story of of how people have summoned the clarity and courage to face and overcome challenges, contribute, and show up as a good parent, partner, leader, and citizen, it is a powerful reminder of what a privilege it is to do what we do.

It is also testimony to the fact that people are not clicks.

They are human beings doing their best to act with dignity and decency - often, despite what's happened to them.

Audiences are often anonymous.

The focus at many conventions, online summits, and zoom programs is on featuring "big name" guest experts and their extraordinary achievements.

Rich's podcast offers shining proof that everyone can be extraordinary in their own way - and they deserve to have a voice and be seen, heard, acknowledged and valued.

If you host a podcast, program or annual gathering, you might want to follow Rich's example and put out a call to listeners/viewers/members with an invitation to share their story which could be featured in a special episode.

You might want to clarify you're not asking for testimonials that will be used for commercial purposes. There’s no bait and switch.

The only agenda is to honor individuals who want to share how they've gotten through what they've gone through in the hopes it might be a "rising tide" resource that assures people they're not alone and they can improve their life if they put their heart, mind, body and soul to it.

Question. How do you honor your audience so they feel heard, seen, valued?