Yes, to shine means to be noticed and to be noticed means a lot of opportunities. But let’s not talk about opportunities. We all long to be part of something, like a community. With so many people gathering around communities, one may say that to get noticed is one hell of challenge.
Indeed it is! But it is worth it. Many take the long path of figuring out how to shine in their community. Some even take personal improvement workshops to awaken their minds and to receive motivation. Come to think of it, it’s not really complicated. Take it from Chris Brogan.
One of the things I learned from Trust Agents, Chris Brogan’s awesome book, is that one of the traits a trust agent has is to be a “Guy To Go To”. And it makes sense right? If you are one, people will gather around you and if they gather around you, they will notice even the smallest actions you are doing.
So, how to be one?
This trait, for some people, is natural. They were born to be a “guy to go to” but it doesn’t mean that you cannot be one. All you need is to use those human traits you’ve been doing all these time.
- Be Helpful – You’re in a community right? Communities are formed because of a certain cause. Some are doing advocacy and some are doing support for each other. Learn from the technical forums that you know. Community members help each other by answering questions from visitors or fellow member. To it extraordinarily but not to the point that it becomes over acting or will lead to becoming over burn.
- Share – You may have things in your pocket that will be useful for other people. If you did your homework in understanding the needs of your community, it will be easy for you to figure what type of stuff you should share.
- Be Friendly – There are some intelligent people out there who just can’t avoid being a jackass. Communities can smell these people. Though you’re intelligent, funny and witty, be friendly. Learn to be humble.
- Be Grateful – People will be thanking you for your generosity. You just solved their problem or you just save them time. Thank them in return when they thank you.
- Build Relationships – Again, you’re in a community. Relationships matter! No, not just the online type relationships. Find time to cement that relationship by meeting people in your community in person and do fun activities with them like conferences or workshops.
You see, it’s not really hard to shine. The reason why we see ordinary people shine like starts online is because they do simple things extraordinarily. There, I said it again. Their passion motivates them in helping their community shine. That’s why they shine too.
