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I’ve blogged about Klout.com in the past (see “The Conversation, Lesson 36”) but it’s time for an update.

Klout provides social media analytics that measures a users influence across their social network. Data from the major social media channels you participate within such as Facebook and Twitter are combined to create your Klout “score.” Your score is a combination of the size of your network, how other people interact with you, how you interact within your network and the content you create. Scores can range from 1 to 100 with higher scores indicating a wider and stronger sphere of influence. People with high Klout scores are viewed as influential in the online world surrounding the keywords and key phrases they blog, tweet and get "Liked" and many companies are using Klout scores to determine who the experts and consultants in various fields are. The more “Klout” you have, the more of an expert, or thought leader you are viewed as within the social internet. This influence is trickling out into the business relm as the social sphere and business sphere evolve and merge.

A recent important announcement by Klout was that it now incorporates LinkedIn data into your Klout score, as well as Twitter and Facebook. LinkedIn is an important transition because more professional influencers use LinkedIn than any other social network, so now their interactions can be measured and rated. On LinkedIn, Klout will measure who you are interacting with and engaging, and what types of content you are sharing with contacts.

An example of the potential importance of sites that measure influence in the social sphere is Klout Perks. Klout partners with corporations like Starbucks, Subway, Nike and Audi to provide offers such as discounts to people with high Klout in specific areas of expertise. For example, key food influencers get a $10 off at Subway card. It isn’t too far from reality to imagine a future where a Klout score has similarities to a credit score.

Klout’s newest and most exciting feature is “+K.” Sign up and you can reward people who you feel are influencers in the social sphere with a “+K.” By awarding a “+K”, you strengthen the reputation of people who provide good content in specific areas of expertise, helping their online influence within specific categories to build. For instance, if you like the content I create on social media, search optimization, marketing or doctors, you can register at www.Klout.com, go to http://klout.com/#/EyeInfo/topics and give me “+K.” I’ll be sure to return the favor and the exercise will help us both stand out as influencers online.

To get your Klout score up organically, join conversations on Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn, mingle with influential people, make sure that you’re sending out valuable information and be there consistently. It takes time and effort and you have to give more than you receive, but ultimately you will rise in influence as a business person, doctor or optician in your sphere and people will seek you out for your expertise.

- Alan N. Glazier, OD, FAAO
Author: Searchial Marketing: How Social Media Drives Search Optimization in Web 3.0
Founder/CEO
Shady Grove Eye and Vision Care
Rockville, MD

Twitter Handle: @EyeInfo
Blog: http://www.youreyesite.net
Website: YourEyeSite.com

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