Would you trust an Influencer to speak for your cause?

To be selected, the Discuss participant should:

- Offer a relevant and thoughtful contribution that clearly answers the discussion question;

- Maintain a constructive and respectful tone, contributing to genuine dialogue;

- Share ideas that could inspire or inform other ECI organisers;

- Express themselves clearly and engagingly, showing they could represent citizens’ perspectives in a public setting;

- BONUS POINTS: Bring original insight or experience, not just opinion — ideally from their own campaign or observation.

I think influencers are one of the most effective ways to get an audience and signatures. The key lies in choosing the right one. You need to make sure their values and political views align with yours and your campaign’s. First and foremost because that’s what people will associate your campaign with. Secondly, because it indicates the type of audience they have which is more important than the number of followers they have, because if they are not likely to agree with your campaign ideologically, the message will not work. Moreover, you need to look for proof of a close relationship between the influencer and their audience, do they respond to followers' comments? Do followers let them know they followed their advice on ‘X’ thing? You need to make sure the influencer has the power to move their audience.

The effects of influencers posting about your campaign are proven to spike signatures. There is also the possibility of this not just being short term. Although hype tends to die down soon after the video becomes viral, in some cases a trend can begin with more influencers joining the campaign and posting about it too. The risk here is that you then totally lose control of how your campaign is presented, however, influencers advertising it are likely to genuinely believe in it, so the risk of misinterpretation is very minimal. Furthemore, you can always contact them in case it happens, or make a public statement about it. 

Choosing influencers is extremely effective because they already have large platforms of followers, as well as the right audience and a relationship of trust. They also have followers across Europe which is what you need. You can also become your own influencer, and have the same Pan-European reach. You can also take advantage of the algorithms to become viral, and the use of hashtags to reach the right audience. Becoming your own influencers means you have full control over the campaign, and can keep making as many videos about it as you want. It might take longer to build trust and followers, so perhaps the smarter thing is to collaborate with other influencers first, but at the same time build your own platform for longer-term campaigning.

Influencers are the involution of information.  

Their figure was born mainly as an alternative / low-cost diversification of marketing. Entrusting sensitive speeches to "advertising material" can increase views and adhesions! But what are you increasing? 

Only interactions that have as their goal to sell something, to achieve a purpose that can be commercial and temporary. Who is your target? 

I see a negative inflection in the use of social media, a diaspora between various platforms and quite serious scandals.

I am proud that my country has established a category for the influencer, but unfortunately the first data that arrive are disheartening, the most prominent influencers implement tactics to circumvent and not fall into this list of national influencers but remain on the margins.

Unfortunately, the lower the age of the target, the more opaque and immoral activities by influencers are increased. 

I am no one to criticize your choices and ambitions because I understand that I have only one piece of the puzzle and the greatest image remains unknown to me, but I say to you with fraternal love: 

Be careful what you want.

Do as it has always been done! One word at a time said to only one person, because it will always be enough for only one person to understand to make sure that all the others will follow. Do not look for puppets, do not try to appear but be authentic people. I did more when I was talking in the deserts than many of them who, on the contrary, too often educate to the unfairness, because I did not get followers but a global audience of every ideology, culture and religion. 

Do not look for many ways of communication because the message will be lost. There is no easy or quick way but only one that will make you reach the goal by crawling.

What are you looking for?

Do you want to get the minds of the masses to sign things they don't care about or do what has always been done? Let at least one word remain in your heart.

Do not disappoint me, because with an increase in visibility and signatures what will you lose?