The landscape of influence is constantly evolving, and understanding who’s shaping the conversation is key to crafting effective strategies. But how do you tap into this ever-shifting dynamic?

In this episode of Earning Your Seat, Nathan Carpenter, the visionary behind Atlas Lab, takes us inside the world of social media influence. With over 20 years of experience, Nathan has been at the forefront of studying how networks drive communication and how to listen beyond the surface noise to uncover the real drivers of change.

Nathan shares his insights on why traditional methods of social media tracking often miss the bigger picture, how influence is mapped in the digital age, and why understanding the ecosystem is essential for creating smarter, data-driven strategies.

This episode is perfect for marketers, communicators, and anyone looking to decode the complexities of influence in today’s digital world and use that knowledge to lead with purpose.

Earning Your Seat is a Meltwater podcast.

Episode Highlights:
(00:00) Welcome to Earning Your Seat
(02:30) The challenge of understanding influence in today’s digital landscape
(06:15) How Nathan’s lab is mapping influence and what it reveals
(12:00) Why traditional social media listening methods fall short
(16:30) The importance of knowing the ecosystem, not just the data
(21:00) Why influence is more about networks than followers
(25:00) Practical steps to listen smarter and stay ahead of trends
(30:00) Nathan’s advice for communicators looking to stay relevant in an ever-evolving digital world

Connect with Nathan:

• Nathan Carpenter on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nathan-carpenter-phd-654140a
• Explore Atlas Lab: https://www.jou.ufl.edu/atlas-lab/
  
  

Take the Data-Driven Communications Free Assessment
Ready to see where you stand with Data-Driven Communications? Take the DDC Assessment and get your personalized report to explore the framework at https://bit.ly/meltwater-ddc-assessment

Follow Earning Your Seat:

• Dino Delic, Head of the Data-Driven Comms Research Lab on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dinodelic/
• Genevieve Brammall on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/genevieve-brammall/
• Stephanie Lerdall on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stephaniesheppard/
• Join the Data-Driven Communications Community: https://community.meltwater.com/p/ddc
  
  

Get in Touch With Us
If you have any questions about this episode, email us at earningyourseat@meltwater.com