Forbes’ recently published their list of the world’s 100 most powerful women (check it out!), placing popular figures in rank order due to their influence on society. Hillary Clinton is at number 2, Lady Gaga holds number 11, and Oprah is at number 14. The list includes female leaders from politics, entertainment, business and non-profit organizations.
Klout, a website which quantifiably measures an individual or organization’s online influence, agrees with the rankings as a measure of each woman’s influence within her own industry. But in a world so centered on technology, does this influence also relate to online presence?
In an analysis of online presence in relation to the Forbes’ Top 100 list, Lady Gaga received the highest rankings. Her online presence is hardly a surprise – she became popular because of the internet, and feels it’s important to keep up with her “little monsters” by way of social media.
What is interesting, however, is the fact that most of the Forbes’ list had little to no correlation with social media efforts other than with Lady Gaga. Ellen DeGeneres, Arianna Huffington and Sarah Palin all make in into the top 10 if online influence is considered, but they all rank under the top 30 on Forbes’ list.
Is social media absolutely necessary in establishing societal influence? Apparently not, although it sure can’t hurt!