Comments on: Beware of the Self-Proclaimed Social Media Experts

By: Catherine Ventura

Catherine Ventura — Wed, 25 Nov 2009 04:28:38 +0000

Good post, Michael, but I do have to agree with Spike. Many of the best people I’ve met in social media are working behind the scenes, making their clients shine, without drawing attention to themselves. Indeed, one of the paradoxes of helping a client get up and running with social media content is that often the strategist or consultant’s role has to remain anonymous. I would suggest it’s important to look for bona fide’s, but to not be dazzled by the number of followers someone has. And particularly to not overlook someone who is extremely experienced and insightful just because they don’t command legions of followers.

By: Top Ten Social Media Turkeys in 2009 – The Buzz Bin

Top Ten Social Media Turkeys in 2009 – The Buzz Bin — Mon, 23 Nov 2009 11:42:57 +0000

[...] Social media experts who got relentlessly bagged throughout the year, and rightly so. They never got beyond Twitter or [...]

By: Mary Antonopoulos

Mary Antonopoulos — Mon, 28 Sep 2009 23:13:12 +0000

Also, beware companies that offer the $499 special to get you set up. It isn't a one-shot deal, and it honestly isn't an a-b-c formula to be applied across the board. Mary Agnes Antonopoulos Social Networking Strategist http://www.facebook.com/rockawaywriter http://www.rockawaywriter.com

By: Mary Antonopoulos

Mary Antonopoulos — Mon, 28 Sep 2009 23:12:44 +0000

I have to agree. I keep a pretty low profile when it comes to my own marketing, but my CLIENTS have a presence that kicks ass. Numbers are not that hard to get, but relationship marketing and meaningful lead generation that converts into clients and sales is NOT easy. What does 30,000 followers on Twitter generate??? That's a case-by-case answer. Someone who can TEACH you social media / networking in a way that you can LEARN it is one thing, and a strategist that you can trust with your brand, your company and your reputation is something else. IF you're hiring someone to log in and network for you in a by-proxy format, then you also need a good WRITER. Don't overlook the importance of that. Anybody can build your numbers, but speaking for you is an art. Ask for a client list and writing samples -- not just testimonials. Mary Agnes Antonopoulos Social Networking Strategist http://www.facebook.com/rockawaywriter http://www.rockawaywriter.com

By: David Bunker

David Bunker — Tue, 22 Sep 2009 13:50:28 +0000

I would contend that being an expert @ social media is like being a pro @ amateur sports. It is oxymoronic. The highly fluid, ever changing nature of technology & culture offer up the possibility that any so called "expert" status is probably a marketing ploy to sell products (their own). This is why authors of get rich theories or faith healers tend to make good money. Every wants the inside scope. In this case, the inside is the outside. We may have some scouts out on the frontier but we can't mistake the map for the territory.

By: @DavidSteeleRose

@DavidSteeleRose — Fri, 10 Jul 2009 14:14:55 +0000

Thank you Spike,

I've been practicing guerrilla marketing for over 30 years. I'm still seeing the effects of work done over 20 years ago at Dagger Canoe Company and find that in most situations it is a long term test. The medium and tactics change, but the results are effected by the willingness of the company to fully and effectively participate as well as a good bit of luck. It's hard work and out-of-the park successes are rare.

What I do may be labeled repackaged old-school marketing if my Follower metrics or even the success of how well my own brand is taken into consideration. (the cobbler's shoes excuse comes to mind here). I certainly know I need to do a better job. Some of the superstars mentioned leverage their celebrity from past gigs or current positions in media companies to strengthen the Follower metric. They and a select few others ply for themselves exactly what they preach and work extremely hard to build their this metric. They are all very smart and good at what they do. I read, watch and listen to them intently and certainly mimic what they do with my clients, because I want to see it working for them as well. I hope to repay the stars some day by attending events where they are keynote speakers.

I suggest, however, that Follower it is more of a metric on entertainment or the compelling nature of writing style and perhaps passion for helping others. If my own metric doesn't measure to the standards common to the meme "beware of the self proclaimed expert", then I yield to the power of Word of Mouth to lead me to the next opportunity.

By: DigitalOverlord

DigitalOverlord — Fri, 10 Jul 2009 04:33:47 +0000

#Tweepsearch: 4,273 Intrnt mkters/1,652 SM mrkters/513 SM consultants/272 SM strategists/180 SM exprts/98 SM gurus/58 Intrnt mrking gurus ...but only one DigitalOverLord. Thinking a standardized test should be required to have the word "expert" or "guru" on your title/bio Cause http://twitter.com/DigitalOverLord

By: @johnemerritt

@johnemerritt — Fri, 10 Jul 2009 03:06:02 +0000

Real Social Media Experts don't proclaim themselves experts. They are the humble but vocal individuals shaping the environment. I tend to follow quite a few, but a few in particular have helped me advance my understanding and application of social media at large brands. Here are some as follows:

- Olivier Blanchard @thebrandbuilder
- Pete Cashmere @mashable
- Seth Godin @
- Chris Brogan @chrisbrogan
- Michael Moon (for the customer engagement cycle and impact on social media) see gistics.com (Customer Engagement Cycle) @michaeljmoon

I have found these are real experts. Please excuse me if I did not mention other names – I do my best to give credit where credit is due.

These experts don't boast, they do 4 things that are critical for social media:
They:
- Connect with people
- Inform people
- Entertain people
- and Share ideas, content and concepts with people

These people are NOT selfish, do not restrict thought nor do they hinder the development of their own understandings. They drive the very heart of innovation itself.

REAL social media experts BUILD relationships they STRENGTHEN them by aiding and growing themselves, others and the community and they REFINE and ASSESS all they do in, around and throughout emerging marketing and social media.

If interested in more info pls reach @johnemerritt happy to point you to the REAL SM Leaders or resources that can help you decide for yourself.

By: @robnz

@robnz — Fri, 10 Jul 2009 02:50:41 +0000

If people don't protect their tweets the number of followers is basically meaningless in assessing the value of that person's comments or advice. Even if they are protected, people can still play the numbers game but at least it lowers the risk that the follower number is there as a "status symbol" or because of some viral program.

By: Lewis

Lewis — Thu, 09 Jul 2009 21:04:07 +0000

Does this mean only people with "high" number of followers are social media "experts"?

I agree with comments that imply social media then become like high school, with the "in" social media crowd. We all know that has already happened — each TechCrunch, Mashable, whatever brand has their own cliques.

It seems simplistic to just judge one an "expert" in a one-dimensional way — ie, # of followerss.