Posted on November 9, 2009 - by Wayne Sutton
You Lie! Numbers do matter: How brands look for influencers on the social web
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A few years ago showing your RSS subscribers numbers was a big deal for validating your blog success and/or readership. Fast forward to 2009 you’ll see banner ads not saying how to get more blog readers but how to get more Twitter followers. I know you have heard the saying, “It’s not about the numbers“, I have said it before and I’m sure you have heard plenty of “social media speakers” say it before too. But when I talk to businesses and they ask me, how many followers I have and ask how can they reach my audience and gain the same amount of followers and more, it’s tough to say, it’s not about the numbers. Even with Twitter’s new list feature people are already trying to create a social algorithm measuring the amount of followers you have to how many Twitter list you are in and the name of those list compared to your tweet content for validation. Sounds crazy right….
To my point when I say it’s not about numbers, I do mean it. My usual response is it’s about the relationships you have with your connections no matter which social network. It could be a Linkedin or Facebook Fan pages, you could have thousands of connections or fans but without any true relationship with your community, the numbers are just that, numbers.
But what about brands who are now looking to Twitter, Facebook, blogs and “influencers” to create “viral” content to market their product or service? How do brands select who they should reach out to? What are brands going to look at to see if you have an audiences or not? You guessed it, they’re going to look at your Twitter followers, now list count, RSS subscribers and any public analytics number they can find online. So, to completely say it’s not about the numbers? You lie.
Here are 11ways brands look for influencers on the social web
1. Compete.com
2. Technorati blog rankings – http://technorati.com
5. Blog Postrank via http://www.postrank.com
6. Twitalyzer Twitter influence rankings
7. Your Twitter list count
8. RSS Subscribers via Feedburner – http://feedburner.google.com
9. Alexa rankings – http://www.alexa.com
10. Linkedin Connections
11. Facebook fans
12. BackType comment engagement numbers
Still this isn’t a green light to gain as many fans, friends, connections or followers as possible but evaluate your goals for establishing true meaningful relationships on the social web.
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Author: Wayne Sutton
Wayne Sutton, Business Development/Marketing Strategist for TriOut. You can follow Wayne on Twitter, or on Facebook. Wayne can be reached via email at wayne@trioutnc.com
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Business development/marketing strategist for TriOut. Take a look around this site. I have some of informative post for you to enjoy. Leave me a comment if you read one that educates or inspires you. I can be reached via voicemail at 919-809-7328 or email at info at socialwayne dot com.
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November 9, 2009
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ashevilleallie said:
You Lie! Numbers do matter: How brands look for influencers on the social web – http://bit.ly/4iyANY (via @waynesutton)
This comment was originally posted on Twitter
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November 9, 2009
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Lauroscope said:
RT @waynesutton You Lie! Numbers do matter: How brands look for influencers on the social web http://bit.ly/4wWLom
This comment was originally posted on Twitter
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November 9, 2009
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KenBurgin said:
11 Ways to Measure your Influence and Reputation on Twitter http://ow.ly/AQVn
This comment was originally posted on Twitter
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November 9, 2009
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Twit_Followers said:
You Lie! Numbers do matter: How brands look for influencers on the …: You guessed it, they’re going to lo.. http://bit.ly/2ExJMi
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November 9, 2009
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Twit_Review said:
You Lie! Numbers do matter: How brands look for influencers on the …: You guessed it, they’re going to lo.. http://bit.ly/2ExJMi
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November 9, 2009
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waynesutton said:
Tweets lands a TV writing deal http://bit.ly/3PQF0y via @Techcrunch – Content & his numbers proves my post right http://bit.ly/4wWLom
This comment was originally posted on Twitter
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November 9, 2009
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mollybuckley said:
RT @waynesutton Tweets lands TV writing deal http://bit.ly/3PQF0y via @Techcrunch Content & numbers prove my post right http://bit.ly/4wWLom
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November 9, 2009
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sheilaellis said:
RT @waynesutton: Tweets lands TV writing deal http://bit.ly/3PQF0y @Techcrunch – Content & numbers proves my post rt http://bit.ly/4wWLom
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November 10, 2009
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lfabert said:
You Lie! Numbers do matter: How brands look for influencers on the …: You guessed it, they’re going to lo.. http://bit.ly/4z7rfe
This comment was originally posted on Twitter
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November 10, 2009
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CommentTech said:
You Lie! Numbers do matter: How brands look for influencers on the …http://tinyurl.com/yd3v2fj
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November 10, 2009
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Patrick Morrell said:
Wayne,
Interesting post – I’d always wondered about this issue i.e. what legal/logistical recourse does a company or personal brand have when their handle is hijacked. Your blog could have particular relevance to those fans of athletes who’s names were/are being co-opted. http://www.sportsin140.com/ is a great source for sifting through the legit v. the not-so-legit.
Question: Are there ever under-the-table negotiations to resolve these issues? Have you ever come across a brand or company that was unable to actually take over their rightful handle?
This comment was originally posted on Social Wayne
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November 11, 2009
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Wayne Sutton said:
Patrick thanks for the comment. To answer your questions: Are there ever under-the-table negotiations to resolve these issues? I can’t yes or no but … it’s the internet. :)
Have you ever come across a brand or company that was unable to actually take over their rightful handle? Yes.
This comment was originally posted on Social Wayne
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November 11, 2009
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Patrick Morrell said:
Wayne – thanks for the response. Look forward to seeing you tomorrow night at the Triangle Social Media Club event.
This comment was originally posted on Social Wayne
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November 12, 2009
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Patrick said:
Nice post, Wayne!
One other thought: often times, companies don’t know the difference between squatters and fans. But they are two different things and require two different approaches (in some cases, fans are best left alone!). :)
Nice job,
Patrick
This comment was originally posted on Social Wayne
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