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Klout, the online influence scorer, continues to add new websites and social media tools to its roster of services the company uses to determine how much users influence others online.

The latest is the blogging service WordPress. WordPress joins Tumblr and Blogger as blog hosts that are used by Klout to determine users’ online presence. 

Although Klout did not announce the addition of WordPress, WordPress users who are also fans of Klout certainly have noticed and it will help them to further understand what their work on their blog does in terms of influencing others.

There should be more to come from Klout, including Yelp, and more ways to increase your score and hopefully get some free stuff for being good at the Internet.

Image and story via Mashable

Bal Harbour Shops recently had a party in conjunction with Fashion’s Night Out where they used Klout scores as the criterion for entry. Partygoers with Klout scores of 40+ were able to enter an exclusive Klout Lounge. The attendee with the highest Klout score also received a $500 gift card to Bal Harbour Shops.

Although I wouldn’t have been able to enter the lounge with my lowly score of 37, I like this unique use of Klout scores. By ensuring that the attendees are well connected and active in social media, Bal Harbour Shops was able to almost guarantee that their message was broadcast to the followers of their guests and further increase the reach of the event.

Image and story via PSFK

Today we explore contacting key influencers to sell video games, comedy websites and books as well as a story on the marketing lessons that can be learned from food trucks.

Madden NFL 12: VIP package given to influential fans
Game Bandits

EA Sports produces some of the most successful video game franchises in the world - including Madden NFL and FIFA Soccer. Despite this success and position as an industry leader - and in the case of Madden NFL, their exclusive rights contract with the league - the company refuses to rest on its laurels. 

Their latest marketing push has been to send 50 VIP Madden packages to highly influential users. Game Bandits explores the package and a few of the recipients of the special parcel from EA.

Based on this tweet from Patriots Wide Receiver Chad Ochocinco, who has 2,650,646 followers as of the time of this post, their program appears to be working. 

Will Ferrell And Stephen King Reach Out To Klout For Marketing Help
Business Insider; by Cindy Ratzlaff

Speaking of relying on key influencers to help with your marketing campaign… 

Cindy Ratzlaff of Business Insider shows how Will Ferrell and Stephen King have teamed up with Klout, a service that quantifies social media influence, to market funnyordie.com and King’s ebook Mile 81. Through Klout, Ferrell and King are working with highly influential people in the world of social media to increase the presence of their respective products.

What Marketers Can Learn from the Food-Truck Trend
Harvard Business Review (via PSFK); by Grant McCracken

I’m ashamed to admit it, but I have yet to eat from a food-truck. It could be paranoia or simply the fact that I pack my lunch far too often. Luckily, I have a good friend who runs GirlMeetsFood.com and have learned all about the joy of mobile food through her posts and conversation.

Grant McCracken takes a look at the many valuable marketing lessons that can be learned from food-trucks. Food-trucks have been successful for years now and it is interesting to take a look at what can be learned from the business model and how thriving food trucks market their product.  

Have a wonderful weekend and if you’re on the East Coast, I hope you stay safe and dry.

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Image via @ochocinco