How Not to Be a Dictator: Lessons in Influence from Tropico 6

You start with charisma. Then a few billboards. Then... a personal propaganda radio station.

Tropico 6 is a cautionary tale in brand building through overpromising, manipulation, and performance. It's an exaggerated simulation — but the real-world parallels can be sobering.

When it comes to building a real-world brand, Tropico offers a playful but sharp reminder: You can be persuasive without being performative.

This post is your field guide to doing just that — drawing on proven marketing strategy to help you build trust, not just noise.

1. Charisma Is a Spark, Not a Strategy

In Tropico 6, you get a bonus if your El Presidente is charismatic. That early bump feels great. Everyone loves you. (For now.)

But charisma fades if it’s not backed by substance.

In the real world, makers often think they have to be "on" all the time: always charming, always exciting, always presenting their "best self."

Reality check: The best brands don't survive on charm alone. They survive by showing up consistently, making good on their promises, and letting real relationships grow over time.

Strategy tip: Instead of chasing perfect launches or viral moments, invest in a repeatable rhythm: regular updates, honest storytelling, and slow-burn connection.

• Weekly or fortnightly email newsletters

• Progress photos of your work-in-progress (even the messy bits)

• Gentle behind-the-scenes stories

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These practices build trust, not just "likes."

2. Billboards Are Loud. Relationships Are Lasting.

In Tropico, billboards are cheap and easy ways to boost approval. (At least until people start noticing the potholes everywhere.)

It's tempting to focus your marketing energy on splashy, billboard-style announcements: new product drops, big sale days, flashy photoshoots.

But if you’re only ever shouting from billboards, you're not inviting real conversation.

Strategy tip: Think "community" over "campaign."

• Respond thoughtfully to comments and DMs.

• Invite feedback about your designs or services.

• Create small touchpoints where people feel seen, not sold to.

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According to marketing research (like the work of Seth Godin and Mark Schaefer), genuine interaction is a critical trust signal...especially in saturated markets like handmade goods.

3. Propaganda Doesn't Age Well

In Tropico, you can build a personal radio station to broadcast your greatness. At first, it’s a morale boost. But soon, it’s obvious that the show doesn’t match reality.

Manufactured hype always cracks under scrutiny.

For makers, this shows up when businesses overpromise (“Eco-friendly!” without proof), inflate scarcity (“Only 5 left!” when there are 200), or polish their image beyond recognition.

And once customers feel they've been tricked, rebuilding trust is ten times harder.

Strategy tip: Build hype from real strengths, not illusions.

• Talk about what you actually love about the process.

• Be clear about what makes your work special — without needing it to be "world-changing."

• Celebrate growth honestly, instead of pretending you've "arrived."

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Sustainability in marketing (and reputation) comes from setting expectations you can happily meet or exceed.

4. What Happens When They Get Close?

If your whole brand is built on a billboard version of yourself, what happens when someone steps behind the curtain?

Marketing should not be a mask. It should be a magnifying glass.

The goal is not to create an unattainable image—it's to amplify the best of what you're already doing.

• Your genuine passion for your craft

• Your care for your customers

• Your commitment to quality, creativity, or joy

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When people get "close" to your brand—whether through a DM, a customer service email, or an in-person market stall—the experience should feel better than the billboard, not disappointing.

Final Thoughts: Makers, Build Trust, Not Empires

Tropico 6 is a game. But real business isn’t. Your reputation is your most valuable asset.

You don't need to manipulate your audience or "outperform" your competitors on Instagram. You need to be real, consistent, and connected—even when it's slower, even when it's quieter.

Because in the end, it’s trust that turns a curious follower into a lifelong supporter.

And no billboard can buy you that.

Want more nerdy deep-dives into marketing lessons from games and pop culture? I have a bunch more posts for you to explore!