I really don’t get the “Social Media Expert” or “Social Media Consultant” backlash that is spreading across the interwebs. People are making snide comments all over the place saying “Well, everyone thinks they are a social media consultant” or “People think just cuz they use Twitter and Facebook – they too are a social media expert“. Hell, this guy’s Twitter bio openly proclaims him to be a “Social Media Consultant mocker”. And Micheal Pinto recently claimed “Social Media ‘Experts’ are the Cancer of Twitter (and Must Be Stopped)” in a flaming linkbait blog post. Social media darling Chris Brogan was recently quoted saying, “I’m a social media expert? That’s like saying you’re an email expert. Fuck off.”
So what’s the problem here? We’ve seen the same backlash for “SEO consultants” and “Internet Marketing Experts”. Just because there isn’t a license or a Microsoft Certified Exam for social media does not mean it’s not an important aspect in the internet business landscape. This importance has created a real business need for consultants and experts to help train and educate businesses that don’t get it. You people that bitch about it should a) spend your time more constructively and b) remove your head from the vacuum you live in and realize businesses need help with social media. Just like they need help with accounting, web development, and legal affairs.
Granted, anyone can say “I’m a social media expert“. You can do that with any knowledge based profession. I claim to be a “web strategy expert“. There is no license for that and you can throw your flaming poop at me all day long and say “Just because you have a blog and do web development, doesn’t mean you’re a web strategy expert”. What it boils down to is the fact that I can prove it. I blog about it here every day. Doug and I have an internet business podcast to help businesses improve their web presence. I help clients use their websites to improve their business and increase their cash flows. I am completely open and transparent about it.
I have never claimed to be a social media expert, but they do exist… Their names are Nathan Wright, Mike Sansone, Scott Monty, Robert Scoble, Wayne Sutton, Jeremiah Owyang, etc. There are many, many social media experts – does that dilute their expertise? No – it just proves there’s a market for these experts. These guys have proven they are experts by teaching you to be an expert too. Ask their clients or their community and they will back them up. That is what defines an expert. That is what defines a consultant.
So quit your jealous bitching complaining and embrace them – they are experts helping businesses use social media to reach out and have transparent discussions with their customers. That’s good right?
What do you think? Let us know in the comments…
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