My Klout Score Is 54, But My Clout Score Is Much Less

In the last 30 days my Klout score has increased 11 points (from a decent 43 to a much more respectable 54), and will probably go up another 2 or 3 before leveling out. I’m slightly ashamed to admit how pumped I am about this. First of all, I have no idea how the Klout score is really calculated, except that one’s Twitter, Facebook, and Linkedin activity all play a part. There’s lots more to it, like the influence of those interacting with you, the influence of your followers, etc. In the end, for me it’s just a number that I can compare to similar people in the social media industry that can provide some bragging rights.

Recently my dad wrote a blog post titled “I Liked it Better When “Clout” Came with Age and Wisdom.” Even though, in his words, I am “faster and smarter, with better memory and language skills,” (thanks Dad!) he has experience and wisdom on his side. Now, because of Klout, I’m apparently more influential than him in social media, to an extreme degree.

While his post brings up a good point, basically asking why Klout matters when it’s clout that is the real measure of influence, it isn’t asking the right question. I am growing up right in the middle of the social media generation. I work as a Community Manager and deal with social media on a daily basis. So of course I am going to have more influence in the social space…right now. In reality, this is completely irrelevant. My Klout score will probably always blow my father’s out of the water, unless he really does start tweeting and posting more on social channels (once I show him the ropes, of course). If he starts being very active on Twitter, Facebook, and Linkedin…well, I’m screwed. The question he should be asking is: “I know I’ve got clout, so how do I translate that into a Klout score that will match my real world experience to my online image?”

In the end, clout will always win. It effects Klout scores whether it’s obvious or not. My dad’s blog gets comments from CEOs of some of the largest independent ad agencies across the globe, he has people asking him from countries like China and Brazil questions like “You haven’t posted anything since May 28th, it’s been two weeks. When is your next post going up?” I’m lucky if I get two comments from readers on one of my posts, and that includes spambots. My dad’s experience and knowledge gained from that experience is more valuable to anyone, and everyone, than what I can give them. Sure, I can spout statistics about Twitter and Facebook like it’s my job (because it IS my job), but in the end I can run campaigns for companies on Facebook while my dad is capable of starting companies that will run those campaigns on Facebook. Clout is not something you have 13 months after graduating college, it takes a lifetime to get that. While I have learned an immeasurable amount about the advertising industry and social media in the last 9 months, I have a long way to go if I want to compete with my dad’s clout score. For now I’ll have to relish having more Klout than him, until he learns how to earn that too.

Related posts:

1. Facebook Adds Klout, Hands Brands Some Serious Marketing Firepower