Renee DiResta on Invisible Rulers and Responsible Influence - Chief Influencer - Episode # 071

Chief Influencer

In this episode of Chief Influencer, host Anthony Shop, speaks with Renee DiResta, a leading expert on misinformation, social media, and online influence, as well as the author of Invisible Rulers: The People Who Turn Lies Into Reality.

Renee shares insights on false information trends on social media and the challenges of combating them. The discussion also explores the changing media landscape, the role of influencers, and the significance of ethical communication. Renee emphasizes the need for transparent influencer disclosure laws and offers advice for experts on effectively navigating and influencing public discourse.

Takeaways:

• Build and Leverage Your Network: It's not enough to just post content; your real reach comes from others who amplify your message. Encourage supporters and interested parties to share and engage with your content to maximize its impact.
• Establish a Strong and Diverse Network: One significant problem for institutions today is that many haven’t prioritized networked communication. Focus on building connections and relationships with key players and communities that can help spread your message.
• Utilize Unique Opportunities: Take advantage of increased online engagement to connect with a broader audience. These moments can help you establish a more extensive following.
• Maintain High Standards for Information: Authoritative voices should be held to higher standards than random influencers. Ensure your communications are accurate and reliable to build and maintain trust.
• Manage Content Distribution: Recognize the difference between people finding your content through search and having it proactively pushed onto them by platforms. Aim for strategic content distribution that considers both methods.
• Enhance Transparency and Disclosure: Be transparent about relationships and sponsorships, especially for influencers. Transparency is critical for maintaining credibility and trust with your audience.
• Actively Engage in Conversations: Engage actively on social media and other platforms where public opinion is formed. Do not rely solely on traditional methods like press releases. Participation in ongoing conversations is crucial for influence.

Quote of the Show:

• “For influencers in particular, ethics are essential. It's important to recognize the power you have and to use it responsibly.”

Links:

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/reneediresta/
• Website: https://www.reneediresta.com/
• Invisible Rulers: The People Who Turn Lies Into Reality: https://www.amazon.com/Invisible-Rulers-People-Turn-Reality/

Shout Outs:

• Edward Bernays
• Stanford Internet Observatory: https://cyber.fsi.stanford.edu/io
• NPR: https://www.npr.org/
• Atlantic Wired - Free Speech is Not the Same as Free Reach: https://www.wired.com/story/free-speech-is-not-the-same-as-free-reach/
• Aza Raskin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/azaraskin/
• Tristan Harris: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tristanharris/
• Sacha Baron Cohen: https://www.instagram.com/sachabaroncohen/?hl=en
• Elon Musk
• CDC: https://www.cdc.gov/
• Wendy’s Twitter
• McDonald’s Twitter
• Consumer Product Safety Commission: https://www.cpsc.gov/
• NATO Summit: https://www.nato.int/cps/en/natohq/226799.htm
• Federal Election Commission: https://www.fec.gov/
• Federal Trade Commission: https://www.ftc.gov/
• Substack: https://substack.com/