When identifying your best talkers, look for these characteristics:
1> Talkers you can talk to
2> Talkers with large networks
3> Talkers with authority
1> Talkers you can talk to
A talker isn’t much good unless you can reach out to them to support them in spreading your message. Look for talkers who are publicly accessible, especially clusters of them such as Facebook groups or communities of bloggers. While the support is nice, don’t waste time and resources tracking down talkers who aren’t readily accessible.
2> Talkers with large networks
Talkers with big networks and lots of friends are the best at quickly sharing news and information. Identify these talkers by seeing how many comments they’re getting on their blogs, how many followers they have on Twitter, and by checking out lists of influential people in your industry. Earn the respect and trust of these big talkers and they’ll be able to quickly start conversations about you with lots of people.
3> Talkers with authority
Pay special attention to talkers that are experts or are popular bloggers in your industry. More than simply having large networks, these talkers’ opinions tend to carry significant impact on your word of mouth. Work with them by inviting them to special events, asking them to review your products, or helping them publish industry-related news and research.
