Klout. What's the deal you might ask? Do you know your klout score at all? Why is it important? I know it, big deal. I know it, how can I approve it, and other great answers to questions you never thought to ask yourself coming right at you...right...about...now!
Klout, in a nutshell, measures the influence you have over the "virtual world" by means content posted to such sites as facebook, twitter, instagram, and various other sites. You are given a metric number score between 0 and 100.
Curious to know what your score is? Navigate over to Klout and sign in using facebook or google and you can quickly determine your score. If you are curious as to know what the median score for klout users is? 40. 65 or higher is in the upper 5% of users. So sayeth the people who run klout, and you can find that information here.
So what's the big deal? With today's (and the foreseeable future) interest in social media, being able to promote yourself, or a product, is important. The higher klout score you have, the more "influence" you have. And by "influence," I really mean mroe users see what information you are putting on the internet. May it be posts to facebook, pictures of your babies on instagram, or twitter tirades directed at nothingness. If people are interested in what you have to say on the internet you have some kind of influence.
So you have influence, what does that mean. It today's social media driven day and age we are within seconds of knowing what each other is doing. Interested in knowing what a friend is doing, all you have to do is hop on facebook or twitter and take a look. Chances are you know. When you know, suddenly you are interested, and that's where the power is. "x86computing" is currently watching Resurrection. (for instance) If you are following me, perhaps you also like Resurrection. And you hit a like button, or a +1 button, or you comment "OMG I LOVE THAT SHOW!" Or, you have no clue what Resurrection is and you becoming interested. You may catch up by watching the first episode on hulu plus (or that pesky internet with it's other devious devices) and you liked it. Next week you watch it on TV. You interact with your friends via social media which may influence other friends and so on and so forth. Granted, this is an extremely generalized and quick example (and easy). But as a brand, this is the interaction you are looking for. Resurrection, as a brand, is getting exposure. ABC (the channel its on) is getting exposure as a brand. And for those people who decided to watch, commercials are getting exposure, each branding themselves #KraftMacNChz or something like that. (Look for that hashtag next time you watch a commercial. I promise you it's there. #x86computing <-branding :)
Now keep in mind this isn't a perfect science, but it's catching fire. Employers are starting to use klout scores as a measurement for employment. Some are even specifying a certain score to be eligible for a job (2+ years experience with a minimum Klout score of 35. Could you get that job in your given field?). Keep in mind however, that there are some fields that klout score just isn't going to matter. I don't give two klouts if my doctor's klout score is 2, as long as I he/she can fix me when the time comes. However, not everyone out there is going to be a doctor. And perhaps you need a job on your way to becoming a doctor. Let's take a server (waiters and waitresses, if you will) for example. A smart employer would consider a klout score to determine if their influence could build business. Once again, incredibly simplistic, but hopefully a scenario that easily paints of a picture of why its important.
HOpefully, if you didn't already know, you now have a little bit clearer idea as to what klout is and why it's playing an increasingly important role in today's employment opportunities. If any of you have any questions, feel free to shoot me a line. Follow me on facebook at x86computing, or on twitter @x86computing, or if you prefer, shoot me an email at x86computing@gmail.com
X marks the spot!
Currently Playing: daft punk/computerized (featuring jay-z)
BTW! I really want to know your klout score. Leave a comment or shout out on twitter @x86computing and let me know what your klout score is.
