How often does a recommendation from this person generate sales? By Neicole Crepeau, Contributing {grow} Columnist. Are you overlooking some of the most powerful influencers on the social web?  Let’s find out. Traditionally, there has been a 1-9-90 rule when it come to creating and consuming content: There’s a new element in this equation, though: Content Curators — people who make a practice of finding content relevant to their friends and followers, and then sharing links to that content.  know, because I’m one of them. I Why are these folks important? Red circle added. MORE >>

Or who generate buzz about beer in Berlin? According to Klout, each influencer in one of their Perk programs generates an average of 30 pieces of content and millions of possible impressions. The cost per thousand impressions is incredibly low compared to other forms of advertising and it is ORGANIC since it is being generated by people who already love the brands. Yes, this is a real invitation. If you hate Klout … and you probably do … try to take a deep breath and read ahead with an open mind. In fact, a historically important development. Never has. Even me. MORE >>

Here are a few thoughts (there are many more) on how to measure each: Awareness – is typically generated beyond your digital assets. For years I’ve admired the real-world insights and experienced perspectives of Steve Goldner, perhaps better know as @Social Steve.  I’m pleased that Steve has agreed to be the newest Contributing Columonist to {grow} and I know you’ll enjoy his work! By Steve Goldner, Contributing {grow} Columnist. head up social media at a performance marketing agency in New York City and I will tell you, everyone is interested in social media! MORE >>

88% see these tools as important for generating web traffic and 81% find them important for lead generation. When asked how they measured the effectiveness of their social media efforts, executives reported using fans, followers and supporters (26%), web traffic (25%), lead generation (16%), reduced cost of customer support (10%), the value of sales generated through social media programs (7%). For the first time in the five years that this research has been conducted, the use of blogging declined. But there is an element of mystery here. Measurement is inconsistent. MORE >>

Futurist and author of  Grown Up Digital: How the Net Generation is Changing Your World. 'Once a year, a fellow named Haydn Shaughnessy shows up on the social media scene and creates a list of the “ 50 Top Social Media Influencers ,” which is published via the online version of Forbes. This list gets distributed far and wide and has become an important badge of “social proof” for those on the list. Last year I criticized the methodology as incredibly lame (and I was on the list) and I think that weakness is apparent by just viewing who is NOT on this list. MORE >>