There has been a lot of press lately around the subject of social influence, Klout scores, and authority. Many people have debated how important Klout really is, how you can “game” Klout, and how their Klout score has affected them. There has also been much discussion of how Klout scores tie into authority.
Juliet Easton, a Marketing Strategist, whose business is based in Athens, GA, feels it is possible and preferable to have social influence and authority, which can include a high Klout score, by being authentic.
“A Facebook friend recently shared that one of his friends who has a Klout score in the mid-70s now feels like a slave to social media. He posts photos of his food because people like food pics and he posts to Twitter approximately every 30 minutes because he doesn’t want his Klout score to drop,” said Easton.
“That approach, while it may work, is definitely not necessary to maintain a high Klout score. The key is engagement and authenticity. Most people are so afraid to be real, to be authentic, that they hide behind a persona of what they think people want. What most people crave is authenticity because it is rare and refreshing. Authenticity creates more engagement than anything else I have seen. And engagement is what creates high Klout scores.”
Klout is not just a number that gives people occasional perks from Klout sponsors. It has become important in the offline world.
In a recent Wired article, “What Your Klout Score Really Means,” Seth Stevenson mentions that employers are referring to Klout scores to make hiring decisions and offline businesses reward perks to those with high Klout scores, often without recipients even knowing. “
At the Palms Casino Resort in Las Vegas last summer, clerks surreptitiously looked up guests’ Klout scores as they checked in. Some high scorers received instant room upgrades, sometimes without even being told why,” stated Stevenson.
“In addition to authenticity, it is also important to be seen if you want to have online authority,” states Easton. “If you are authentic, but no one can find you, then you will not create engagement. It is important for those with whom you want to connect, including potential clients and customers, to be able to find you online. There are many ways to insure this, including social networking and news media. If someone searches for you online and they cannot find you, that is a real problem. Fortunately it can be addressed by having a strong online presence that shares your knowledge as an expert in your field with those seeking out your expertise.”
“When someone searches for your name online and finds your social networking profiles, a high Klout score, and articles in news media where your share your expertise, this enables you to have authority in their eyes,” continues Easton. “People are more likely to do business with someone who they perceive to be an authority in their field. Some professionals do not have time to engage very much on social networks, so for them, the most logical choice is to have articles in news media that highlight their expertise to help them own their authority.”
For more information, contact Juliet at http://ownyourauthority.com/