Do you track your Klout number? What do you think – is it accurately measuring your engagement?
In case you're new to social media, let me explain Klout. It's a site that measures social media influence. Using an algorithm they don't release to the public, they compare input from your activities on multiple social media platforms and come up with a number that scores your influence on social media.
Sounds good, right? The idea of being able to compare who's credible and truly influential when it comes to a variety of topics, and who's just posing is a great idea on the surface of it.
The problem is that accuracy might be an issue.
A few weeks ago, the people at Klout released a change to their algorithm. It seems there were a number of flaws in their initial scoring metrics. Flaws such as the curious fact that Justin Bieber had a higher Klout score than Barak Obama.
Seriously. I'm not even being political! Using their internal, proprietary metric, a teen heartthrob was rated by Klout as having greater influence than the President off the United States.
Let's think about what that says!
So the folks at Klout reworked the metric to take in input from more sources, as well as to eliminate the "Bieber effect." Again, at face value, it sounds great, right?
But the result has been less than exciting for many people!
I thought I'd try a little experiment to see just how much my engagement on different social media platforms affected my Klout score. I disconnected all of my social media platforms except for Twitter. And I waited 24 hours to see just how my score would change.
Except it didn't. My "influence," according to Klout, didn't change at all when I was engaging people on 1 platform versus multiple platforms.
So I reconnected my Facebook fan page – the very same fan page I had disconnected a day earlier.
And my score rose by 1.81 points!
That kind of score change doesn't make much sense to me, how about you?
On one hand, it would be nice to write off Klout if its metrics seem that arbitrary. If you've followed me for any length of time, you know I'm a huge believer in the reality that true engagement will bring followers, fans, and customers, and while having a high score is nice, those are the numbers that grow a business!
But…not everyone is ready to do that. In fact, there are even companies that are using Klout scores as a form of screening people prior to hiring them. Low Klout scores actually have prevented people from getting hired!
So – I may not like the apparent disconnect between Klout scores and real engagement but as the old saying goes, when in Rome, you've gotta do what the Romans do, right?
The secret then, is to find a way to practice real engagement that also boosts your score with Klout's algorithm. And here's how:
5 Tips For Great Engagement (That Might Even Boost Your Klout Score!)
1. Start Conversations via Facebook
Comment and respond to comments in Facebook (+engagement) and tag people in the process (+influence). Being tagged and mentioned in posts suggests people are directly engaging with you, which can raise your Klout score.
2. Reply to Mentions (Twitter)
I take time each day (throughout the day) to reply to people who have tweeted or retweeted me. And as I believe strongly in acknowledging my followers time in tweeting and/or retweeting me. For one, it's just good manners (engagement) but it also signals Klout that you're directly engaged with your audience, which can raise your Klout score.
3. Quality Over Quantity (Facebook, Twitter)
Numbers of followers and friends matter (influence). Actually interacting with them matters more (engagement).
4. Ask Customers for Recommendations (LinkedIn)
Do you have happy customers? Ask them to leave you a recommendation on LinkedIn! (influence and engagement). Recommendations from others strength the contribution that LinkedIn makes to your Klout score.
5. Ask for +1's on Google+
Don't forget a call to action on your posts on Google (engagement). Even the simplest form of engagement, asking people who like your post to +1 it (influence), signals Klout that your influence is increasing, possibly leading to an increase in your Klout score.
There you have it – 5 ways to practice great engagement that have the added bonus of being ways to improve your Klout score as well.
Which of these will you put into practice today? Did any surprise you? Leave a comment below – I'd love to hear from you!
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I hate Klout.. I just hate it!!! I unplugged it from all and now It will not plug back into my facebook uggh ! i know I need to look at it .. But it's crazy to me!
Indeed a helpful article. Thanks for sharing, Kim.
I'm finally rebounding from the Klout changes and am almost where I was. I just keep reminding myself that Klout is a measurement tool. Thanks for the reminder that engagement is key!
I am so frustrated with ALL the numbers associated with social media…and I am not one who is easily frustrated! However, when there are no apparent changes…still doing like I always have and numbers go down and down it is pretty discouraging! I sometimes wonder if watching the number is self-defeating…ANYWAY!!! I love your tips and advice and always find it helpful and useful! Thanks!
After Klout's recent change, my score really dropped, and they managed to disconnect my Facebook profile in the process. Took me almost 2 weeks back and forth to get it reconnected. Now I'm almost back where I was. I have noticed that engagement really is the key to improving your score though. Thanks for the tips. Let's see how much of a difference they make
Hope these help, Dawn
!!
I am not impressed by Klout since it's not trustworthy for measurement. You are doing so much and engage people a lot but your score is far below what it should be. I just got an idea
Great tips to increase our Klout score Kim. I was surprised to learn that it is critical to mention by name on Facebook comments more to increase my score. Thanks, will be adding that tip immediately.
Good stuff Kim! I always seem to neglect G+…I gotta get with it!
It has some value
Nice info which will be prove so useful for all blogger and online marketers that regularly using social networking sites..
thanks for the share.
Thanks for dropping in Becca!
I don't use Klout so am finding it hard to understand. Hopefully I will use it one day and gain a better understanding.
It’s a love hate relationship
Great article and yes, I am among those not excited about matters with Klout. Seems like nothing makes a change…one way or the other. And now, it just won't reload. But, I'm moving on anyway and doing all of the above regardless whether Klout wants to play nice or not!
Hehe
Thanks for sharing Kim! Some helpful tips to increase our Klout scores. Looking forward to more!
Hi Kim. Excellent site. Impressive and so informative to someone like me who is new with all this. Keep it up Angel. Thank you. Regards and best wishes.
Thanks for dropping in, Sheena!
Having worked in the industry, I’ve found Klout an extremely useful tool when it comes to measuring social media influence.
It seems you either love it or hate it right?
I try to share 8 to 10 blog posts from other bloggers every day. Since starting that my Klout score has gone up 5 points or so. Still, I'm pretty much a newbie when it comes to engagement. Not sure why I had a score of 40 before I really got active.
Sounds like, now that you are move active, your score is going up! Congrats!
Love this site. I feel like I'm on a forum. I like and dislike Klout. I like it because it has shown me areas of engagement and influence that I can improve in but dislike it because it compiles data slowly or neglects checking certain platforms for a long period of time. I hope they get their act together before Microsoft takes it over.
I have a love/hate relationship with Klout myself