Every evening around 7:30 pm (yes, evening), my 142-pound Newfoundland, Fezzig, begins his nightly ritual.
Squeaky turtle in mouth. His Westminster pillow prance in full effect. Zooming around our VERY small house. Sliding on the cement floor in the kitchen. Pure, unfiltered joy radiating from every single hair follicle, every fiber of his being.
And: Fezz has exactly zero followers on LinkedIn!
Yet somehow, he influences my entire day; my energy, my perspective, and my ability to remember what actually matters.
That’s real influence.
What Makes Something (or Someone) Magnetic?
Lately, I’ve been thinking about this a lot. Especially after SWAY | LIVE BOULDER was named one of the Best Advisor Marketing Conferences for 2026.
(Still doing happy dances about that one! 💜)
When I look back on what made SWAY special, it wasn’t the 12,000+ online followers or the social buzz.
It was Susan showing up before dawn to make sure every attendee felt seen (and had coffee!). It was a quiet coffee conversation with someone who said, “Your vulnerability gave me permission to be real.” It was our sponsors who believed in us when we had more dreams than attendees. (Like Katie, Jeff, Daniella, and Kevin!)
Influence isn’t about reach.
It’s about resonance.
My Everyday Influencers
My son Garrett influences me daily, not through his Instagram posts, but through the tenderness he brings to fatherhood.
A sunrise I caught at 5:47 am on the East Coast influenced my whole week.
And the financial advisor who finally told their real story after years of hiding behind corporate language? They’re influencing their entire community now.
Here’s what I’ve learned from building SWAY, speaking across the country, and watching Fezz gleefully demolish another corn cob:
True influence happens when you stop performing and start being present.
When you trade your pitch for your presence.
When you swap metrics for moments.
When you choose connection over content calendars.
Presence > Performance
Yes, I teach AI Content Sprints.
Yes, I speak about personal branding.
Yes, I help advisors build visibility online.
But visibility without authenticity?
That’s just noise.
So here’s my question for you:
Who’s your Fezz?
Who influences you without a single follower, post, or engagement metric?
And more importantly…
Who are you being Fezz for?
Because influence isn’t about going viral.
It’s about going deep.
It’s about showing up with your squeaky turtle and your whole heart.
Be unforgettable,
~ Sheri
FAQ
1. What does “influence beyond followers” mean?
Influence beyond followers means your impact is not measured only by audience size, likes, or engagement metrics. Real influence happens when your presence, authenticity, and actions meaningfully affect others.
2. Why is authenticity more important than visibility?
Visibility without authenticity creates noise. Authenticity builds trust, emotional connection, and resonance, which are what make a personal brand memorable and effective.
3. How can financial advisors create authentic influence?
Financial advisors can create authentic influence by sharing real stories, speaking in human language, showing vulnerability where appropriate, and focusing on connection rather than polished corporate messaging.
4. What does “presence over performance” mean in personal branding?
Presence over performance means showing up as a real person instead of trying to impress or perfect every interaction. It prioritizes connection, clarity, and sincerity over image management.
5. How do you build a personal brand without chasing vanity metrics?
Focus on consistency, trust, meaningful conversations, story-driven content, and lived values. A strong personal brand grows through resonance, not just reach.