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Is there a difference between cultivating a 'raving fan' and being part of a cult?
Over the past few weeks, I've gotten this question at least 2 times (sorry, can't remember who).
My initial take is: Heck yes!
It all comes down to WILL.
A "Raving Fan" is a willing participant.
It is someone who is so passionate about that, without any effort on the part of the central entity WANTS to go out and spread the word.
A cult, well, I know this may be a delicate subject, but it seems to me that a cult either preys upon people who don't feel passion at all or, who feel passion, but their passion is then coerced by the cult leader.
If the success of your business depends on cult-like behavior, I think you're going to have a more difficult time than if you make a great product (or service) and the raving fans are the natural outgrowth of that.
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Comments
UnsatisfiedMind said on 1.23.2009 at 11:37 AM
The difference between a cult and a raving fan is the power of community. A raving fan is a willing participant who believes deeply in a product, service, person, etc... They are willing to promote their beliefs to others.
I think a cult builds on (exploits?) the raving fan concept by creating a community of like minded individuals and by actively preaching the "evil" of contrarian thinking. The danger of a cult is that the raving fans become highly susceptible to groupthink. The raving fans feed off each other and as a result each of them lose the perspective and balance that made them "willing participants" instead of simply "cult members"