In the same way it is difficult to measure the ROI (Return On Investment) for Social Media, general disillusionment abounds when attempting to measure ones Social Media influence. Individuals and businesses struggle to ascertain the impact of their influence? Perhaps they just want to know that people are listening and most are hoping influence can translate into sales.

You can plug your Twitter handle into an online analytic tool and track your stats. You can use Facebook’s built in analytics to track demographic info about your page. There are loads of tools online (paid and free) that can give you feedback, but is this really the best way to measure influence?

A more sexy way, and a more down to earth way is to measure through engagement. This is going to require some work on your part. You can’t simply plug your Twitter handle into an online analytic tool and wait for the results, that won’t cut it.  You need to talk to people, you need to communicate with your customers!

Your first step is to implement your Social Media Strategy; tweet your beak off, post content on your Facebook page, write a blog, make your website look awesome, market your presence on the Internet and beyond and then go to the next step.  When the first customer walks through the door, do your usual chit-chat thing and then ask, “How did you find out about my business?”

If you have created any potential for Social Media influence, don’t be surprised if they say, “A friend on Facebook recommended you”. That’s the “social” in Social Media.  Is this how you measure your Social Media influence?