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That Thing Called Klout
By TheAngelForever | August 26, 2011
Klout stormed onto the social media radar not too long ago. Since that time, it has been watched, analyzed, and picked apart by countless people. I am not here to do that. Instead, I want to admit that I am intrigued by Klout and often wonder how and why it works. I have a Klout plugin on my Seesmic Desktop so I can be nosey.
At first Klout was just a number. According to Klout:
Klout measures influence based on the ability to drive action, not potentially misleading metrics like follower or friend count. Klout has analyzed over 85 million people on major social networks, and is used by over 3000 brands and applications.
Then, they started Klout Perks. This was a way for businesses to work with individuals via Klout to learn about new products from their brands. Some companies that have used Perks are Disney, Spotify, Subway, and P&G. Sometimes, Perks are sent to you via a Tweet from Klout Perks, other times they show up in your dashboard.
Thanks to Klout Perks, I have been able to try Spotify, test Secret Clinical Strength deodorant, and, most recently, help with PACE through a Klout Perk with Dick’s Sporting Goods. PACE helps to protest athletes through concussion education.
Klout also allows you to recognize people that influence you. By going to Klout, you can look at the topics that people are influential in and give them a +K. When you give someone a +K, you are able to Tweet it. There is some controversy about tossing this into the Twitter streams. Some people consider it Spam. I tend to agree, so I add a message to the tweet to personalize it. Here’s an example:
It’s like my view of Follow Friday. Rather than a long stream of Twitter people, I personalize it with something that makes them special to me. People have noticed this and several that I know have started this fun new touch to giving +K to people.
So this week’s Aloha Friday question is inspired by Klout:
Have you signed up for Klout yet? If you have, what do you like and/or dislike about it? I would love to know what topics it says you are influential about. Do you have any thoughts on the +K Tweets?
Disclosure: I was given Dick’s Sporting Goods gift cards because I’m a Klout influencer. I was under no obligation to receive the sample or talk about this company. I get no additional benefits for talking about the product or company. This perk simply worked into my post about Klout in general.
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Thanks to Kailani at An Island Life for starting this fun for Friday. Please be sure to head over to her blog to say hello and sign the linky there if you are participating.
Aloha #166
Topics: Aloha Friday, bloggy friends, interesting, me moments, photos, PSA, twitter | 17 Comments »
August 26th, 2011 at 12:10 am
I haven’t signed up for Klout yet, will have to ask the cuzins what they think about it….
Cuzinlogic´s last [type] ..flippin’ good! deeds Challenge
August 26th, 2011 at 12:53 am
I have a love/hate relationship with Klout, mostly because I have to force myself not to obsess about it. And I couldn’t stand the topics it was listing for me! (That was recently corrected!)
Also, didn’t know that some people consider those K+ tweets to be spam. I like the idea of personalizing those, but am afraid I’ll end up obsessing about what to say!
Sandra Foyt´s last [type] ..Give the Kids a Treat with Strawberry Shortcake: Growing Up Dreams
August 26th, 2011 at 2:12 am
I have no clue what it is. Sorry!
Have a great weekend, already following,
August 26th, 2011 at 7:00 am
I have but still don’t feel like I really understand it….I’m not sure how you give +K to someone???
Kari´s last [type] ..Aloha Friday – Three Words
August 26th, 2011 at 8:18 am
This is the first time I’ve even heard of Klout and I don’t tweet. Who has time for all these gadgets, doesn’t life get in the way Lol!
Menopausal New Mom´s last [type] ..Aloha Friday – Have You Won Anything?
August 26th, 2011 at 9:03 am
i LOVE Klout! i stalk the site every day to check my score. and i get worried when it goes down. i think i might be mildly obsessed with it. LOL.
i need to get better about giving out +K!!! that’s my new social media goal
Traci´s last [type] ..When I grow up, I want to be….
August 26th, 2011 at 9:06 am
Never heard of it, all have to check it out
Auntie E´s last [type] ..Aloha Friday- Favorite Brand Discontinued?
August 26th, 2011 at 9:09 am
I’m with Traci, but more than mildly obsessed. Klout is the first place I go in the morning to see what my score is, and to give +K. I usually try to personalize my +K Thank yous, I hadn’t thought of doing it for the original message, that’s a great idea! I think it would help people who don’t get Klout yet understand better what the +K is.
So, I check my +K every day and agonize with the slightest drops in my score, I read lots of information about Klout and ultimately I still this it’s sort of a mystical thing and I don’t quite understand how it works. For instance this morning my score shot up an entire point, for no particular reason I can put my finger on. Oh well, at least it moved up instead of down!
Kristen ~DVC Mom~´s last [type] ..Feelin’ Fab Friday Blog Hop
August 26th, 2011 at 9:47 am
I am signed up for Klout.
I don’t get to mingle with it often.
I do give ks to others on our list
What is K tweets?
JamericanSpice´s last [type] ..Summer Sexy and Comfy – Aloha!
August 26th, 2011 at 10:59 am
No, I have not used it or signed up. I’ve read about it though.
The Social Frog´s last [type] ..Giveaway! Japanese Kokeshi Doll
August 26th, 2011 at 11:44 am
Someone actually sent me a link in a tweet the other day. I followed though but, when it wanted facebook access I felt like her is one more thing wanting access to facebook.
Have a great Friday!
http://harrietandfriends.com/2011/08/oye-irene/
Harriet´s last [type] ..Oye, Irene…….
August 26th, 2011 at 12:56 pm
Yes, I have Klout! Actually pretty nifty!
Deborah´s last [type] ..Friday Blog Hops
August 26th, 2011 at 1:32 pm
I’m so in the dark about Klout – I signed up for it out of morbid curiosity, but beyond that have done nothing with it.
Stacy Uncorked´s last [type] ..School Lunch – What Are You Packing?
August 26th, 2011 at 8:17 pm
Thanks to you I now know a little more about Klout. Thank you for all your help with the +k thing!
kailani´s last [type] ..A Playdate with Mom Central, Infantino, & Step2
August 27th, 2011 at 1:35 pm
I have heard of klout, but haven’t really checked it out.
August 28th, 2011 at 1:58 pm
I have never cared about stats when it comes to blogging however I’ve learned the hard way that companies do care about them. I sometimes think that companies care more about stats then they do the character of the blogger or their content. I had a company that I really wanted to work with ask me my Klout score. I had not even considered Klout and was mortified (LOL) with my score. I work hard at keeping it decent now but I think it takes the fun out of social media and makes it part of the job.
I like giving Klout+ but rarely post that I did. I’ve never accepted the perks but you’ve encouraged me to do so.
Hugs!!
Cathi´s last [type] ..Sunday Thoughts – Reach for the Sky
August 29th, 2011 at 8:47 pm
I am signed up for Klout (Doodle741) … but the things I am “influential about” disappear and reappear whenever they feel like it. (SO WEIRD!) I got the Subway and Secret perks – LOVE THEM!