Method to the Mayhem

I am featured in the WIRED Article, "What Your Klout Score Really Means." Klout measures your online influence but not necessarily your real life influence. I believe it can lead to real world by building your online influences and connections. I 'm a big believer in Klout.

The article is broken down into several topics; How employers are using Klout scores as a factor in hiring, Klout Perks and the pressures of keeping your score up. I was interviewed about my experiences with the Klout perks and Klout in general.

You can read the full article over on the WIRED website, "What Your Klout Score Really Means."

I was recently featured on BNET: CBS Interactive Business Network. They were interested on how I built my Twitter following. If This Guy Can Get 66,000 Twitter Followers, So Can You. I think this is such a bad title. Makes it sound like, it's all about getting as many followers as possible but it's really about building a Twitter following.

Here are few of my tips on building a Twitter following.

+ I’m just being me, engaging with my community. I try to be a resource for them. I’m a designer, so I retweet lots of design articles for beginners, intermediate and advanced.

+ Know your audience. Many of my followers are small biz to medium size. Many can’t afford a designer like me. Articles on web design, color, inspiration and basics of design really helps them.  Novice articles are the best — Sometimes intermediate or advanced design topics may go over their heads but I still throw those out there.

+ Answer questions. If it’s not in my area of expertise, I try to find an answer for them.

+ Make sure to retweet others and share great content. Retweeting is a great way to build your network and say "Thank, I like what you tweet. I want to spread the word." Make sure the context offers value that is helpful to your followers, no selling. That’s how I’ve become friends with people like Chris Brogan, Guy Kawasaki, and key persons with Brands, small and large companies.

+ Be transparent. I share what I enjoy in my life and I’m very transparent about everything I do. I tweet photos and check in on foursquare. People feel that I am a real person and part of their lives.

+ Take online connections to the next level. Attend tweetups and conferences. You build a stronger bond after a In Real Life (#IRL) meetings. It’s just like hanging out with old friends.

+ It’s all about them. Be nice and courteous. Help your followers any way you can. Building a following is like providing great customer service. I'm always there to help a friend, the small guy, charities and my community.

+ Always give value. My followers know I like trying things out.  Many brands and companies have offered me trips, products, etc.  Often I’m already using the products or schwag I receive, but either way I’m honest and fair about how I feel.

I always stay true to myself.  If I am given a product to review, I trust my community knowing they won’t doubt my choices. I focus on giving my followers real value; when you do, you’ll always stay on the straight and narrow.