The more time I spend using social media tools, the more I realize there is always something else to learn. I’m definitely a fan and see the value that social media brings to my personal and professional life. But there are also a lot of new and exciting resources emerging every day and staying on top of the latest social media application could almost be a full-time occupation.
But one thing I do know a little bit about is selection and evaluation. So for those of you who (like me) are diving head first into the world of social media, I’d like to give you a bit of advice about the plethora of gurus and thought leaders that are popping up everywhere.
Do your homework.
If you’re reading an article from someone offering social media “training”, can you find them on LinkedIn/Facebook/Twitter or even a blog? If someone isn’t using social media, how can they offer advice?
If someone is trying to sell you a social media webinar, Google them. Does their name show up?
If someone tells you they can give you the secret to having thousands of Twitter followers, find out how many Twitter followers they have. If they have 12, how are they planning to get you thousands?
Yea, I know. This sounds like a no-brainer. But there are plenty of people out there right now who have a Twitter, LinkedIn or Facebook account and call themselves a social media strategist. IMHO, the best people to learn from about social media applications are fellow users. And guess what? Most of them give their expertise away for free.
You know that a little due diligence goes a long way toward protecting your organization when selecting a vendor or consultant and the same is true with social media applications. And, with a little time and effort, you might find everything you need to know without paying a penny. Just sayin’…
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Brandon says
Good general rule of thumb, if a person labels themself a guru or expert, most lkely they aren’t
Elliot Ross says
Well said –
Because it is only obvious if think about it!
http://elliotross.wordpress.com/2009/06/10/its-only-obvious-if-you-think-about-it/
Lisa Rosendahl says
An area HR group was looking for panelists and speaker on using social media in HR. They ran the list of potential panel members and speakers requesting to present and promptly crossed off the ones not on Linked In. I am so easily put off by the “expert” label and agree wholeheartedly with your statement that the best people to learn from about social media applications are fellow users. That’s who I am learning from!
Jessica Garvar says
This is such wonderful needed advice. Thank you so much for your insight~
Wally Bock says
It used to be enough to be knowledgeable and helpful. Then you could succeed by being an expert. But Peter Drucker was called a “management guru” and soon everyone wanted that title. Now, it seems, “thought leader” is the new guru.
Fact is that most of us who write and speak for a living have enough stuff out on the web that you can get a good idea of what we do and how we do it. Just use those tools you just listed and get a sense of who we are and don’t worry about the titles. I wonder what will replace “thought leader?”
Stephen Geraghty-Harrison says
Great points Sharlyn! There are so many hacks out there selling social media seminars and they know no more than the average person. Our community is where to get the help needed!