Why Getting ‘Liked’ Matters More Than Getting ‘Skilled’

Why is the most talented person in the room often the least successful one? Discover how to build digital influence you need to finally get noticed.

In today's digital world, having a large audience often opens more doors than having just a skill because popularity is that force which drives visibility and trust.

It used to be that if you were the best at something, people would naturally find you. But presently, things have totally changed. With so many people sharing their work online, talent is no longer enough to stand out from the crowd. Here is why gaining “popularity” is often the secret ingredient to success.

Attention Is Hard To Get

There is no dearth of talented people online. As there is so much content, our attention spans have become very short. A person is considered popular when he has a good number of followers, proving people's attention. However, a person who is just known as “talented” is still waiting to be noticed. Given the current generation of digitalization, the person who gets noticed is the one who gets the opportunities.

People Notice Whom They Like

Almost everyone trusts people they recognise. If you notice a famous creator recommending a product, you are more likely to buy it then if a random expert recommends it. This proves that popularity builds a bond with an audience. Even if someone else is slightly better at the job, we usually tend to choose the person we already know and like.

If you notice a famous creator recommending a product, you are more likely to buy it then if a random expert recommends it. This proves that popularity builds a bond with an audience. Even if someone else is slightly better at the job, we usually tend to choose the person we already know and like. Credits: User/Google

Algorithms Love Popularity

Apps like TikTok, Instagram and YouTube uses computer programs, known as “algorithms,” deciding what to show you. These programs don't know who is the most talented. Instead, they look for who has got the most likes, comments and shares. This means that once you are popular, you are more likely to be shown even more to the audience for better engagement, while talented people who don't post regularly or who are not much active on social media stay hidden.

Algorithms work by identifying who has got the most likes, comments and shares in their posts. This means that once you are popular, you are more likely to be shown even more to the audience for better engagement, while talented people who don't post regularly or who are not much active on social media stay hidden. Credits: User/Google

Popularity Opens Door For Improvement

Once you are popular, you are in a good position to get more feedback, make more money and get good opportunities to work on big projects. All these things eventually help you get better at your craft. On the contrary, a talented person who is working alone in a room doesn't get the same chances to grow like his counterpart who is popular.

How To Increase Your Chance Of Getting Popular?

In order to get popular, you don't have to choose between being good at what you do and being popular. The best strategy will be for you to do both with patience.

Maybe you can start by sharing your work. Don't just keep your talent hidden in private. Show people what you are making by sharing with them through different social media paltforms as much as you can.

Another thing to remember is that never be egoistic. You can reply to comments and present yourself as a real person, not just as a brand. It is these fans who will make you famous and help you grow as a popular creator.

Maybe you can start by sharing your work. Don't just keep your talent hidden in private. Show people what you are making by sharing with them as much as you can. Be humble as much as possible while presenting yourself before your followers. Also, be consistent even on days when you don't feel like posting anything. You never know when the opportunity can knock at your door. Credits: User/Google

Also Read: Practice This Simple Habit Before You Give Up On Your Bad Day

Lastly, always be consistent. Showing up everyday is more important than being perfect or portraying yourself as perfect. By posting regularly, even if the content is not your best work, you stay at the top of your audience’s mind and feed the algorithm. With time, you will see that this slow but steady stream of content builds a much stronger and authentic connection than a perfect post ever could.

Explore More Topics

Consistency, Lifestyle