C.C. Chapman knows a thing or two about influence and influence marketing. He was a pioneer of podcasting back in its first wave in the early to mid-2000s with a show called Managing the Grey. He had the advantage of being in the middle of the social media and tech boom in Boston then, and became a noted blogger, photographer and content creator.

Chapman first came to national and international prominence speaking at events about intellectual property rights and online media. He became an influencer in the marketing and technology space. But he also worked for brands as a marketer and leveraged bloggers, podcasters and new media creators much the way brands do today under the label of influencer marketing. 

He is the co-author of one of the benchmark books about content marketing — Content Rules which he wrote with Ann Handley of MarketingProfs. It has inspired many a brand and many an influencer to create great content and influence their audiences.

Chapman is now a full-time professor at Wheaton College near Boston, teaching business and marketing to college students. Many of them flock to him to want to know how to be an influencer. He has some sage advice for them.

C.C. and I talk about his evolution, what advice he has for influencers and those wishing to become them today and his thoughts on how brands might explore platforms like TikTok, which he says is — quote — pointless. Listen to hear the rest of the explanation and why he thinks TikTok stands out as different than the other social networks.

This is a conversation you’ll want to enjoy and share with others. Happy Holidays everyone!

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