Be an Influencer, Not an Influenza - Sasanka Dias ( Digital Media Influencer/LinkedIn Strategist )

I Influence people to create positive content and more importantly pursue their passion on digital, because, we rarely find people who pursue their passion nowadays.

1. Tell us about your background and journey.

I kick-started my career as a journalist and news anchor. During that time I was reading for my degree in Bachelor of Science in Information Technology and completed the same in a few years and was awarded the B.Sc. in Information Technology degree. I was involved in the media arena for around 5 years.

Thereafter, I switched to advertising and worked in Public Relations for some time. I was intrigued by the subject of lateral thinking when I was in advertising. It actually made my thinking pattern topsy-turvy. Then, I created an interest in social media.

However, I am continuing my role as a news anchor at Sri Lanka's pioneering Media Network, Independent Television Network (ITN) for almost 15 years. I joined LinkedIn in 2012 and initially, it was quite challenging to understand what it really does and what type of impact does it make on you.

Also, there were no experts in that sphere during that time, particularly in Sri Lanka. Therefore, I had to self study on LinkedIn and learn the way as to what type of posts need to be uploaded and thereby, how a formidable personal brand is being built on LinkedIn.

I have been hired by two companies via LinkedIn. One was the fastest-growing technology startup in Sri Lanka during that time and another company. Initially, I uploaded posts randomly on LinkedIn and looked at what type of posts, the other LinkedIn users upload.

Gradually, I began to realize some potential in this amazing platform. On the 26th of December, 2017, I started my own video series on YouTube titled "MidWeek Influence" to provide a dose of Influence to anyone.

The intention of this visual content series is to deliver motivation to the people to carry on the momentum during the latter part of the week. MidWeek Influence enabled me to connect with a diverse network of professionals and more importantly, I received a plethora of opportunities through building my personal brand on LinkedIn.

I reckon the secret is consistency. As time passed by, I uploaded the videos parallelly on other social media platforms as well. I have done a hundred episodes of MidWeek Influence up to date. My journey has been a television and digital media.

I have also played roles as a voice-over artist, scriptwriter for documentaries, corporate profiles. etc. I enjoy the ride and looking forward to an exciting future in the sphere of digital media focusing on video production and video marketing. My goal is to create social change through media and technology.

2. Did you ever think or dream of doing a tv show?

Yes, I did. I was dreaming to become a news anchor since I was 12. I stepped into the media arena as a kid from my school, Isipathana College, Colombo 5. I vaguely remember that I used to visualize myself on television.

I reckon that has helped me to stick to my vision of becoming a news anchor. I learned the basics there and so far that experience has kept me in good stead. Getting into the mainstream gave me great opportunities to network with people of diverse disciplines and more importantly learn from my mistakes.

As time progressed, I realized that my only competition is myself. I believe, that I have received many opportunities since I became a news anchor.

3. What are your pro tips for becoming a great public speaker?

I believe that public speaking is a leadership skill that everyone must possess. My pro tips for public speaking would be

a. Preparation

b. Practice

c. Unconventional Thinking

d. Reading

e. Perseverance

f. Presence of mind.

g. Reframing your thoughts

h. Not memorizing your script.

4. What do you mean by "become an influencer and not an influenza"?

Throughout my journey so far, I have met people from all walks of life. People whom I have worked with, encountered and groomed, have showcased diverse attitudes.

Some of them, always see the positive aspect of every negative situation they face and some of them don't. My practical experience has been pleasurable at times and otherwise on some occasions.

"Be an Influencer, not an Influenza" encourages people to become a positive force in the world. Considering the words; "Influencer" is someone the world needs, obviously, he/she has to be positive. "Influenza" is something that the world doesn't need.

We are currently experiencing a plague that is menacing. Therefore, I plead people not to become influenza.

5. What do you influence people about and what kind of content do you create and where?

I Influence people to create positive content and more importantly pursue their passion on digital, because, we rarely find people who pursue their passion nowadays.

As mentioned earlier, I create content that spreads positivity. Content that drives people to push limits and see the positive aspect in every negative situation. I post my content on LinkedIn, YouTube, Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter.

6. Who is a LinkedIn strategist? If you could please explain it to our readers.

LinkedIn Strategist is a person who guides another to properly maintain their Linkedin profiles and build a productive personal brand.

Considering the audience, I would say it ranges from a job seeker to an Entrepreneur.

7. What is the biggest challenge according to you that entrepreneurs face today and how to overcome that?

I believe that tough times won't last. However, currently, there are a few massive challenges for entrepreneurs.

1. Uncertainty in the turbulent business environment.

2. Laying off and recruiting new candidates.

3. Trying to control the uncontrollable.

I reckon to focus on the health sector and it's related industries as well as directing attention towards digital media and e-commerce would gradually pave the way out from this tribulation.

8. Which is your favorite book and why?

I have a few books that I admire. " Born A Crime" by Trevor Noah, this is mindblowing. The number of hardships he has gone through and the way he came out of them.

Also, "Grit" by Angela Duckworth. The forward march with passion and perseverance being a woman is quite fascinating and inspirational and "Purple Cow" by Seth Gordin.

This is a quite remarkable one since it tells readers as to how to be unique and unconventional which are the two most essential characteristics for survival.

Instagram ID - @sasankadias