Laws of social media power

April 19, 2013 by Blossom Nnodim (blcompere@gmail.com @blcompere)


The book, “The 48 Laws of Power”, an international bestseller, is a practical guide for anyone who wants power, observes power, or wants to arm himself against power. It has sold over 1.2 million copies in the United States alone and is popular with famous rappers, entrepreneurs, celebrities, athletes and actors. The book is intended to show people how to gain power, preserve it, and defend themselves against power manipulators. Each law is its own chapter, complete with a “transgression of the law,” “observation of the law,” and a “reversal.”

When American author and speaker, Robert Greene, began to write what later became an international bestseller, I am pretty certain that he would have effortlessly assented to the fact that his general themes of strategy, power and seduction would one day play out in the social media space. Thanks to the unwavering passion by Robert to see to the emergence of this amazing book, I have an opportunity to relate these globally accepted rules to social media. Out of the 48, I have been able to find a direct linkage between seven and the power play found on the social media space.

Law 1: Never outshine the master

The master here refers to folks that are deemed to have a higher online influence than you. Always make them feel comfortably superior. Always submit to them. This plays out more when using the Twitter platform. Ensure to retweet their every thought and feed their ego with honest excitement. Chances are that they will take notice of your “famzing” (an act of familiarising yourself with a Twitter celebrity) and subsequently give you a shout out.

Law 4: Always say less than necessary

The character limit policy on most social media platforms have made this quite easy to adapt to. Even a fool is assumed to be brilliant when his/her mouth is closed. Powerful people impress and intimidate by saying less. The more you say, the more likely you are to say something foolish. Always play on the power of suspense. Let people volunteer conclusions for you. After all, publicity is publicity whether negative or positive.

Law 6: Court attention at all cost

There are a lot of folks currently using social media. Conversations are quick in arising and equally fast in getting into the white noise arena. Never let yourself or your thoughts get lost in the busy and crowded street of social media. Stand out. Be conspicuous, at all cost. Make yourself a magnet of attention by appearing larger, more colourful, and more mysterious, than the bland and timid masses. Your updates should be unique enough to strike a pose all by itself.

Law 19: Know who you are dealing with. Do not offend the wrong person

There are ‘certified’ social media celebrities. They have a large number of followers that are always on standby to teach you the rules of the game if you dare to offend them. These folks should not be your target of offence. Steer clear from them or be at the mercy of their equally certified “voltrons” (mouth piece of the social media celebrity). A voltron is one that will go to any length to ensure that the Social Media celebrity’s effect of his/her “famzing” subject is maintained for a period. On the other hand, if he/she feels that the subject is not worthy of attention, the “vextron” attitude is unleashed. This involves using abusive words on the subject and most often make the subject an object of ridicule, scorn and mockery. Choose your victims and opponents carefully, then never offend or deceive the wrong person.

Law 25: re-create yourself

Social Media gives you the instant platform to re-create yourself. Deliberately forge a new identity, one that commands attention and never bores the audience. Ensure to add as much dramatic devices into your public gestures and actions to enhance your power. You can make people to believe that you are whoever you want them to think. You can make folks assume that your hustle is paying you in six digits even when the next source of income for the soon-to-expire Internet subscription is unknown. You can add as many friends as you possibly can and be as popular as you can be. You can know anything you want to know, when you want to know it, and connect with issues and acquaintances in an effortless instance. You can be the best football analyst even when you are not watching the ongoing game.

Law 36: Disdain things you cannot have: Ignoring them is the best revenge

If you cannot have it or if the very act of ensuring that stuff comes your way, ignore it. Better still, disdain it. By acknowledging an inconsequential challenge, you end up giving it unnecessary attention and credibility. It is sometimes best to leave things alone, especially small things. If there is something you want but cannot have, show absolute contempt for it. The less interest you reveal, the more superior you seem.

Law 38: Think as you like but behave like others

Follow the crowd! Follow the crowd! Follow the crowd! The fact that this same sentence is repeated three times is enough to draw the much needed attention to the meaning. If you make a show of going against the social media crowd, flaunting your assumed superiority, unconventional ideas and unorthodox ways, folks will think that you only want attention and will certainly ensure that you pay the price for making them feel inferior. It is far safer to blend in and nurture the common touch. Share your superior or dissenting views with tolerant friends, acquaintances and those who are sure to appreciate your uniqueness.

There we have them. I will not pretend that this rules did not bring so much laughter to my furrowed brow even as I furiously hammered away on my keyboard. Go ahead laugh it off but do me a favor of ensuring to utilize all or some when the opportunity calls for it.

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