As a part of my Public Relations Social Media class I am reviewing the TheWhuffie Factor by Tara Hunter.
Tara Hunt was born in Canada and is 36 years old. Obtained bachelor’s degree from University of Calgary in Communication and Cultural Studies.Founded a small marketing brand “Rogue Studies” in 2002.Specializes in community marketing.Named one of the most influential women in Technology by Fast Company Magazine.Website is horsepigcow.com the name was inspired by her mom (when she forget people names).Started own business in 2006, Citizen Agency. Opening co-working space in November of 2006.
Cory Doctorow created the term Whuffie, Your whuffie is your reputation. It’s your social capital. It is the relationship and connections that are made over social media sites. .Hunt says that “it is social capital and social capitalist that build and nurture a community, thereby increasing whuffie.”Media 2.0 is the social media networking sites like Facebook, Twitter, blogs, and MySpace
The measurement of your whuffie is weighed according to your interactions with the communities and individuals. Example, my whuffie would be higher at Georgia Southern University where I’m a leader on campus than it would be at University of Georgia where I’m not a student.I can expand my whuffie by being nice and notable and networking.
Advantages of building your whuffie: You build relationships with your customers- that end with long-term loyalty.The more whuffie you have the more people will talk about you in a positive light.Whuffie is low-cost with high-energy.Also businesses are either doing it or thinking about doing it.
5 steps to becoming Whuffie richStop talking and listen.Become part of the community you serve and find the target you seek to serve.Be notable and create amazing experiences for your customers. Design things people will loveBe flexible. Be able to adjust when in chaos.Find your higher purpose. Figure out how you are going to give to the community and do it often.
How easily you can get started creating your whuffie. It’s cheap but involves a lot energy but all you need to do is be positive and market yourself well.
The book was very informative about Whuffie and how to maintain it. I would like to focus on the 5 steps to becoming Whuffie Rich.
-Stay current-Useful information-recommended by Seth Godin, Author of Tribes