With the changes made over on Klout.com, there were a lot of people none too happy about the changes made to their number. My score dropped big time and I didn’t even notice it till I got an email about some “perk” I received. Some people were in uproar over a few points dropped, while others gave a “poop” about the whole thing. I even read that a blogger’s child’s face had their own Klout page with his own number. Really? That’s when I would be showing up on Klout’s doorstep with my Remington rife (my 270) ready to kick a–! When I start seeing things like I have to sit back and wonder at what point, does social media define me?
For most of us with Blogs, numbers help to a degree because without it, it might be difficult to measure how well your site is actually doing.
Now, don’t get me wrong, I am not knocking anyone that value’s Klout’s effect on what they are doing with their business or blog (so don’t hate), but are we putting all of our “eggs” into one basket when something changes? There are many ways to measure your own effectiveness with all the other various tools online, but weren’t you already doing this before Klout appeared on the scene?
I would hope that all of us have other methods of measurement in place that doesn’t always involve how much “influence” you have online. You’re posts? Blog Commenting? Marketing? What else are you doing online that helps deliver your message to your community?
Bloggers like:
…and many more were already doing it on their own without the help of websites like Klout. They created and developed their own “influence”, because of the work they produce on their blogs.
At the end of the day, who decides what is credible anyway? It’s impossible to measure how accurate your social media marketing efforts are because our numbers might be off, but shouldn’t we focus on providing value and leave complicated analytics last? When you focus on providing value to your community, you can deal with any algorithm change that happens in the future. People first, numbers last.
Now I open the floor to readers?
- We want to know how many people are reading our posts.
- How many people are following us on Twitter?
- How many fans we have on Facebook?
- How many readers find value in my work?
- How many page views am I receiving each month?
- How many visitors are coming back each month?
Really?
- What’s your opinion on Klout?
- Do numbers really matter to you?
- Do you find yourself caught up in the numbers game?
- Do you just don’t give a crap?
Jennifer
I’m one of those people whose score dropped 20 points. Initially, I was mad (I’m working hard to grow that number, you’re just gonna shut me down now, Klout?!), but then I thought, “does the number matter?” Will I stop blogging if my number finds its way to ZERO? Am I blogging to get big numbers or for the joy of it? I had to get a grip and change my attitude. It’s not like I’m gonna stop blogging anyway – I like to blog! So, I’m going to stop chasing that rabbit and not mind so much what sites like Klout and Alexa say about my blog.
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Sonia
That’s what I am talking about Jennifer. Mine dropped by 30 points and I was like what? Rather than waste my time on what they think about me, why not worry about what I need to do and that’s take care of business and blog. The less we focus on what some site tells us what they think of us, what matters most is what we think of ourselves. Well said Jennifer and thank you for your input.
Twitter: LogAllot
Brandon
I gave up on raising my klout score when they reconfigured. To think, with klout going down on me like that, I’d be enjoying it, but no…
I just do my thing. If I have dozens or hundreds or thousands of people following me, fantastic. Either way, I’ll just keep doing what I’m doing.
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Sonia
Exactly! That’s what I don’t get why some were so freaked out by this. Before Klout even came on the scene, it wasn’t an after thought and now it’s suppose to matter? Really? Brandon, do your thing honey and keep making me laugh! Thanks Brandon for leaving your input and I value your comment immensely.
Twitter: LogAllot
kita
A lot of people have not heard of Klout my score did go down but I am not worried about numbers I would rather real connections with people than just gaining Klout scores.
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Sonia
I love that Kita, “real connections”. I understand that some used their system as a way to measure their worth, but at the end of the day, they were already worth something. They didn’t start their blog thinking that some company called, “Klout” was going to be made to enhance their blog. People were blogging before Klout and people will be blogging AFTER Klout. Thanks for your feedback girl!
Twitter: LogAllot
Julian
I think you hit the nail on the head, there, Sonia. People didn’t start blogging with the goal of ranking highly on a website that didn’t even exist. Everyone has their own reason for entering the blogosphere. Some people want to make money, others want to connect with friends who live far away or make new friends. Other folks either want to provide information to a specific sub-set of internet users or get something off of their chest. Nobody started doing this so they rank number one on a website they didn’t even know about at the time. It’s really a case of obsessing over a goal that has little or no bearing on what your initial objectives were when you started the whole venture, in the first place.
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Sonia
Julian, that was perfect. Some people “buy” into all this stuff that all of sudden says, “we are the credible source” for your self-worth online…huh? That makes no sense. When I started my blog, I never heard of Klout before that and people were doing fine before they landed on the scene. I think some of us lose sight of what we are doing before they started and get looped into some “system” of what is better and who sucks. It’s sad to see some people get so worked up over what some website thinks of them and not what they think of themselves. Thanks Julian for your excellent comment and your visit again.
Twitter: LogAllot
Adrienne
Hey Sonia,
I had heard all the hoopla but didn’t go check mine immediately. I had better things to do. When I finally did, it had dropped 13 points. So does that mean the following I already have, the visitors to my blog, the friends I have on social media sites will think less of me because of those numbers?
I’m not going to discard the numbers when it comes to getting your site ranked and the visitors it brings to your blog but to me it’s more about the relationships you have built and the word of mouth from others. That’s so much more important to me then the numbers.
Am I upset over the drop? Not at all, I could care less. I’m still me and I’ll continue to do what I’ve always done. Hey, it’s just a number.
Thanks for sharing this! Hope others will realize this too.
~Adrienne
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Sonia
Hey Adrienne, you said perfectly, ” it’s more about the relationships you have built and word of mouth from other”. Didn’t many business get started like that? Blogs too? I think many have already forgotten about that to be honest. I hope at the end of the day, people just go back to basics and leave the “high school” method of measurement at school. Thanks for Adrienne for your comment and valued input my friend!
Twitter: LogAllot
Donna Merrill
Hey Sonia, I never heard of Klout. I usually don’t get caught up in the numbers game. But after reading this and seeing the importance of tracking. It makes me go Hmmm! Sonia, you have given me a lot to think about!
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Thanks,
Donna
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Sonia
Hey Donna! Girl you aren’t missing anything either. It’s a mess right now and I think some people have lost focus on what really matters: Building relationships then worrying about how popular they are to the masses. How are you doing by the way? Glad to see you as always and thank you so much for your valued input!
Twitter: LogAllot
ARDELLd
Mine jumped too high…into the 60s…and is now back at my normal 53. I prefer being “a specialist” to “a broadcaster”. A broadcaster just sounds like a big mouth. LOL!
I do watch numbers as to people and page views on my blogs. Klout…not so much. Given people like Brian Clark of Copyblogger, who is clearly “a pundit” on the topic, has a score of 63, I was more uncomfortable when my score was up at his level.
I’m glad it dropped. The current level better reflects my “true reach” as a local specialist and sometimes industry “influencer” and feels “right” to me. Too high can be as bad as too low.
Twitter: ARDELLd
Sonia
Hi Ardelle, my number dropped considerably and I haven’t looked back. If I sat and thought about how Klout feels about my reach and who tweets my blog posts all day I could go sick with worry. Not worth it to me as I want to focus on building relationships and enjoy doing what I am doing. Thanks girl for your input and valued comment.
Twitter: LogAllot
ARDELLd
Sonia,
Klout doesn’t “feel” anything about you. It is an algorithm. To that extent it is a useful tool as it may point out something you need to know.
Clearly you should not be “emotionally attached” to your Klout Score. But understanding that it may be pointing out an area where you need to improve for reasons that have nothing to do with Klout, can be a good lesson learned…and corrected.
Twitter: ARDELLd
Sonia
That’s what I am talking about Ardell, they can careless, but they love the income it brings them. Good point and thanks for the feedback!
Twitter: LogAllot
Dr. Bob Clarke
Sonia, congats on putting this in perspective finally.
I fall into the category of “don’t give a crap” about Klout. Maybe this is a mistake, but I prefer to spend my time doing what I do best — cranking out content that I hope my readers will eat up, doing the same on other blogs and sharing other great content around the web.
I pay attention to certain numbers, mostly that are related to who is coming to my blog and why. But I figure that if I continue blogging best practices and sharing the content of others in a truthful and genuine way, then numbers like Klout will take care of themselves.
Besides, I’m too busy to worry about it!
Just my 2 cents!
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Sonia
That’s what I am talking about Bob. Why cry over split milk anyway? I can’t sit and worry about a single digit that’s suppose to define my self worth online? Really? Everyone was already doing what they do best before Klout.com came on the scene and now they are the authority? Please! As always I love seeing you here and I loved this comment! Thanks Bob!
Twitter: LogAllot
Bill Dorman
I love Klout; but then again I got a new car with one of their perks………
You read my post and my take on the numbers. Depending on what you are doing with your site, some of these ‘numbers’ can be very important. However, my model is engagement and I can tell pretty quickly on a post by post basis if that is working or not.
Klout definitely creates some emotional dialogue, but I see it just as another tool that has limited credibility.
As a final thought, I would hate to get caught up in the numbers game to the point it affected my style of writing. Yes, there are probably some things I could do more effectively and efficiently, but I’m ok with just clunking along for now.
That’s my thoughts on it……….:)
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ARDELLd
When I started blogging back in Jan of 2006, the engagement happened “on the blog”. That has changed to comments being made more on facebook or twitter.
That is why Klout is important. It measures the reach off the blog, which today can be more widespread and important that what is seen ON the blog.
Klout doesn’t measure “blog” reach. It measures “engagement” reach via all social media venues. The scoring is more about twitter and facebook than “a blog”.
That’s how I understand it anyway. It only matters to the extent that it matters to people who matter to me. That tends to be people in my industry, and how they perceive me, vs clients.
Twitter: ARDELLd
Sonia
Well said Ardell! I don’t hate Klout, I actually like the perks, but that is about it. I was fine without Klout before and I will be afterwards too! Thanks for the visit girl and your input on this crazy matter!
Twitter: LogAllot
ARDELLd
I only “know” Klout because one of my best contacts is best friends with the person who started Klout. So for me it is “about” engaging with someone whom I care about. My perspective is different for that reason. I care about Marc and he cares about Klout so I care about Klout.
It’s a string of people…not numbers or things for me. I wish them well and don’t diss them because it makes my friend happy if they do well.
At the end of the day…it’s all and always about people.
Twitter: ARDELLd
Sonia
LMAO! You make me laugh Bill! Numbers scare me when some people get all weird about it. I love your take on it because I love how you said,” that it has limited credibility”. I am so surprised to see so many believe this literally. That’s scary to me. I missed you Bob and glad to see you here. I have a surprise for you! Stay tuned!
Twitter: LogAllot
Ken Pickard
Sonia,
I have not even taken the time to set up a Klout account. There are so many social media sites it can boggle the mind. However I do think that the more you grow your presence online you should at least have your name and profile set up on as many accounts as possible. There’s the SEO and visual benefits. But there’s only so many sites we can manage at one time.
Regarding the topic of how your stats impact you or not…I think it’s healthy to keep charging forward with a healthy degree of “I’m just getting it done.” Let the number take care of themselves.
Now I do support the concept of knowing where you are with your stats. Know if your marketing is being effective should be based on optins and making money. After all isn’t that the end game?!
Ken Pickard
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The Network Dad
Ken Pickard recently posted..A Content Syndication Strategy To Build Your Rock Star Brand
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Sonia
You’re definitely right about how “many” social media sites are out there doing the same thing. I just wanted to poke in people’s minds and ask what they were doing before Klout came on the scene. These sites definitely help in many ways, but where I draw the line is crying over a few “select” points when your blog is already doing well with the community you have already built. I think some people get so wrapped up in what “number” they are that they forget about focusing on what was already working before hand. All these sites do is help get your name out there further and there is nothing wrong with that. I just hate seeing people cry over it as if they lost a foot. LOL. Thanks Ken for your invaluable comment and the visit!
Twitter: LogAllot
Ana
Hey, Sonia: just wanted to let you know I am adding your blog to my CommentLuv enabled blog list.
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Sonia
Hey Ana, thank you so much, I am honored to be apart of that and I added you to my Blog Roll.
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Michelle Alpha Pescosolido
I have to say I would love to know more about what Klout is. I put it on my blog in the past and never figured out what it does. It sounds to me like maybe I should look at it again?
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Sonia
I have to admit, it’s still a learning process for myself too, but what I couldn’t get was all the hoopla and pissed off readers behind it. Klout came on the scene and people lose their minds behind it. Then when something changes we forget what marketing basics we were doing before we ever even heard of Klout. It’s a tool that mainly tells how influential you are online.
Twitter: LogAllot
ARDELLd
I just contacted the Klout people as they are creating a scenario where people want to leave more than they want to participate. They are doing what I call “childish” marketing…and that is starting to backfire on them. Maybe I can turn them around on that.
Who wants an email that says “OH NO! Your klout score dropped 1 point!” LOL! Got one of those today.
And giving me a “badge” as a Klout “addict”? How can they possibly think being labeled “an addict” is a good thing?
They are definitely off course right now.
Twitter: ARDELLd
Sonia
Yeah I know the feeling. Quite honestly, the only email I click on from them is the free perks they tend to hand out. I could careless about anything else. They were doing well until the made one silly change. If they are trying to get people’s attention, they are going about it the wrong way and will lose fans in the process. Thanks Ardell for your comment and I totally agree!
Twitter: LogAllot
ARDELLd
I don’t remember who runs the show over there, but I do remember it was a friend of a friend of mine. So valuable feedback is worth passing on.
Helping the internet be better is a goal for this generation of users.
Twitter: ARDELLd
Q
I like stats since I’m a sports fan, but I really don’t quite understand Klout. I use it and I enjoy the potential of what it has to offer, but it really don’t justify the way I feel about my influence. I judge my clout based on comments I get on my blog and participants I have on my radio show. To me, that shows true influence.
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Sonia
That’s the most important thing you mentioned Q: comments. The feedback you get from your readers is priceless. You can’t buy it and it’s worth it’s weight in gold. You and everyone else have been so generous to me and this blog and I wouldn’t trade that for anything in the world. Thanks Q for being a continued support to me and other bloggers. Your friendship is invaluable.
Twitter: LogAllot
Ameena Falchetto
Numbers!!!! Amazing how we get so easily distracted by the tools.
They are TOOLS. They are not our business. If a client was to decide to work with me based on my Klout score I’d be concerned.
Focus on your work and it will speak for itself.
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Sonia
Thank you Ameena, you saw what I was saying. I don’t mind if people use stats to measure where they are at like the previous comment from my friend Q, but when people start losing their mind over a single number from some website that appeared out of nowhere is pretty stupid. Tools are fine providing they aren’t taking so literally. Thanks Ameena!
Twitter: LogAllot
Ameena Falchetto
Don’t we want the internet to rank us? Isn’t that what Google does? Have you ever said anyone say “HEY! Don’t rank me on the first page of google searches”? Ehhh no.
Guess when it’s perceived to be working against you people go mad.
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Sonia
LMAO! Completely agree. I love your logic and your right. It’s a funny game out there with social media and being seen. I just hope people go back to basics and stick with that. There is nothing wrong when something new comes out, but to go plum stupid when it doesn’t work, is pretty silly to me.
Twitter: LogAllot
ARDELLd
The funniest I’ve ever heard is when my friend moved up to the #1 spot in google. He got a call from the previous #1 spot holder threatening to sue saying “You stole my Google!!!”.
Twitter: ARDELLd
Ameena Falchetto
That’s beautiful!!!!
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Sonia
Now that is scary. There is crazy people out there. How funny.
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Ryan
My social media number is quite low since I am starting out. Also, I really like your theme on this website! I think it’s very clean and the rotation photo really grabbed my attention
Twitter: SPRTConfidence
Sonia
Thanks Ryan!
Twitter: LogAllot
Rob Benwell
Personalization is very much the heart of our social media experience because how we present ourselves leaves a significant impression to others about who we are, what our interests are and – perhaps most importantly – gives them a glimpse into our personality. For the most part, we tend to view our pages as our own space, and our news feeds as an extension of that space. However, where does the line between personal and public occur, and – upon answering that question – how blurred is this line?