You Are What You Say

The Southern expression “Make yourself useful” has helped many people define who they are, and what they hold dear. And that’s just one example; there are almost as many similar expressions as there are communities.

Social media messaging is making it easier to share these core messages with millions of people.

“You are what you say” is replacing “You are what you eat.”

What we eat nourishes our bodies–or sabotages them. And an online message that tells people not so much what we do, but why we do it well, gains enough value to even nourish a community.

On social media sites we learn a lot about each other. Mostly we tell the world about who we are, and our readers come to appreciate us. Or not.

A message gets read because it has real or perceived value, which reflects our relative value as individuals.

General Colin Powell says a leader must keep his or her followers curious. So add extra value by making sure your message fosters curiosity or learning. Then your chance of becoming a thought leader will grow organically.

When you eat you always want nutritious food. Your readers want content that’s rich in relevance, proof and value. Keep attracting them with what they want. Before you know it, you’ll have your own robust “tribe.”

Your community will grow strong around great messages. As community members interact with you and each other, a culture will blossom, your business will grow, and a more resilient ROI will nurture your business or venture like good food nurtures your body.

You are what you say.