“Yes, I do. What is Klout?” –Mom via Facebook
As a social writer, I engage people. If they’re funny, I re-Tweet them. If they’re insightful, I like their posts. I share. I vlog. In return, I often receive glowing posts from Mom.
This online activity earns a Klout score. Mine is 46. While 46 may be failure on a math test, it’s 26 points less than the King of All Media and 26 points more than Tweets-to-himself.
In its assessment, Klout catches me off guard: “You influence [your mother].” At first, a little embarrassed, I wonder if anyone else can see this. They can/not. Mom digs my writing. The Web is her fridge door. But why is it such a big deal?
MyParentsJoinedFacebook.com shows how awkward it can get. My mom was an entrepreneur. Yes, her feedback is valuable. Except, perhaps, replies to social networking ranking.
“I’ve always believed in you,” she writes in her follow-up comment. “You can do anything you set your mind to do. If clout is what you need, then go out and get some.”
How do you feel about the folks in your network?
