Six Degrees of Separation Strategy

Every person is six connections away from everyone else. We only need to find the right chain.


The Concept

The “Six Degrees of Separation” theory states that any two people on Earth are connected through at most six social connections. For Liana Banyan, this means:

Founder → Known Contact → Their Contact → Target

We don’t need to reach MacKenzie Scott directly. We need to find the shortest chain.


Chain Terminology

DegreeDefinitionExample
1st DegreePeople Founder knows directlyMother-in-law, direct contacts
2nd DegreePeople known through 1st degreeZiWe (via daughter’s recommendation)
3rd DegreePeople known through 2nd degreeVince Staples (via ZiWe)
4th+ DegreeExtended chainsMacKenzie Scott (via Vince → ZiWe → etc.)

The ZiWe/Vince Staples Chain

Current State

FOUNDER
  │
  └─→ [1st] Daughter (recommended ZiWe episode)
        │
        └─→ [2nd] ZiWe (Founder watched episode)
              │
              └─→ [3rd] Vince Staples (guest on ZiWe's show)
                    │
                    └─→ [4th+] Vince's network (entertainment industry)

Strategic Options

Option A: Ask ZiWe to forward to Vince

  • Simpler ask (just a forward)
  • Lower commitment from ZiWe
  • May feel transactional

Option B: Ask ZiWe to become a Linchpin Influencer

  • Bigger ask (5K sponsor + connection)
  • Higher commitment = higher investment
  • Creates genuine chain participant
  • ZiWe has skin in the game

RECOMMENDATION: Option B (Full Linchpin)


The Linchpin Influencer Role

What is a Linchpin Influencer?

A person who:

  1. Becomes a 5K sponsor (with all benefits)
  2. Actively connects to their network (next degree)
  3. Creates their own chain of connections
  4. Earns recognition for successful chains

Benefits for Linchpin Influencers

BenefitDescription
5K Sponsor PackageFull benefits (see below)
Patent StakeFractional ownership in portfolio
Chain CreditsEarn credits for each successful connection
RecognitionNamed in chain documentation
InfluenceInput on direction relevant to their expertise

The ZiWe Pitch (Draft)

Subject: From a viewer, with a strange request

Dear ZiWe,

My daughter showed me your Vince Staples episode. I laughed, I thought, and now I’m reaching out with something unusual.

I’ve built a community-owned platform called Liana Banyan — sixteen charitable initiatives designed to sustain themselves. I’m not asking for money. I’m asking if you’d be willing to become what we call a “Linchpin Influencer.”

What that means:

  • A 5,000 dollar sponsorship (which gives you 50 medallions to distribute however you want, plus fractional ownership in our patent portfolio)
  • A suggested reading list of what we’ve built (so you understand what you’d be connecting people to)
  • A single ask: would you be willing to introduce this to Vince Staples?

I’m building in public. Our entire strategy is published. We hide nothing. And we’re looking for people who want to be part of something that helps people help themselves.

Attached: Your suggested reading list Link: lianabanyan.com/cephas/influencer-reading-list

No pressure. If this doesn’t resonate, delete this email. But if it does — even slightly — I’d love to talk.

With respect, Jonathan Jones Founder, Liana Banyan


Suggested Reading List (for Linchpin Influencers)

  1. Start Here: Core Philosophy
  2. The Vision: Sweet Sixteen Initiatives
  3. How It Works: Medallion System
  4. Why 5K: Brass Tacks Sponsorship
  5. The Plan: Opening Gambit
  6. Your Stake: Patent Ownership Offering

Mother-in-Law: The First Degree

Her Role: First 10 Selector

The Founder’s mother-in-law will select the first 10 medallion recipients.

Her Medallion: “Talent Scout” (Special Edition)

AttributeValue
TypeFounder Special
Chalk LevelChalk Three (Expert)
BenefitsAll Chalk Three benefits + Scout Recognition
Rewards10 MARKS per successful recipient (1 year threshold)
Title“Founding Talent Scout”

Benefits Codification

For the First 10 Selector:

  • Named recognition in platform history
  • Scout medallion (unique design)
  • Credits for each recipient who stays active 1 year
  • Input on future recipient criteria
  • Access to all recipient progress reports

Position Benefits Codification

The 300 (Crown Positions)

PositionBenefits Package
Pledged (Investor)Patent stake, governance vote, recognition, direct line to Founder
Committed (Operator)Patent stake, operational input, talent referral bonus
Covenant (Champion)Patent stake, local leadership, regional recognition

Linchpin Influencer

LevelInvestmentBenefits
5K Sponsor5,000 dollars50 medallions, patent stake, chain credits
10K Sponsor10,000 dollars100 medallions, larger patent stake, priority access
Strategic PartnerNegotiatedCustom benefits package

First 10 Selector

RoleBenefits
Talent ScoutUnique medallion, 10 MARKS per successful recipient, recognition

First 100 Members

BenefitDescription
Double Joules2x Joules on every credit purchase
Alpha Tester MedallionPermanent recognition
Founding VoiceInput on early decisions

Chain Tracking

Every successful chain is documented:

CHAIN #001
├── Origin: Founder
├── Degree 1: [Mother-in-law] → Talent Scout
│   └── Recipients: [10 names]
├── Degree 2: [Daughter] → Connection
│   └── Contact: ZiWe
├── Degree 3: [ZiWe] → Linchpin Influencer (pending)
│   └── Target: Vince Staples
└── Status: Active

Cue Cards for Chain Milestones

TriggerCue Card
First chain completes“Our first connection chain is live! 3 degrees to [TARGET].”
ZiWe joins“LINCHPIN ALERT: ZiWe has joined as a 5K sponsor!”
Vince reached“3rd degree connected: Vince Staples is now part of the network.”

“We don’t need to know everyone. We just need to know someone who knows someone.”