The concept of “followers” is now a familiar part of the social online world. This will soon be true at work too, where your ability to get things done will be down to the size and strength of your networks.

“The good news is you have 200 people working for you. The bad news is they don’t see it that way.” In that old joke lies a seed of truth about social media. We are all afraid that no one will follow us. How can you be a leader if you have no followers? How can you be a manager if no one hears what you say – how can you be an Internet guru if no one cares what you say – or buys your book? This is possibly the biggest hill to climb when it comes to social media, whether it is the lone manager opening up in writing for the first time, or a large corporation deciding to have a Facebook page. What if no one comes? What if no one finds us interesting or attractive?