Comments on: Gavin Heaton is a social media charlatan (and I thoroughly approve)

By: Lee Hopkins

Lee Hopkins — Mon, 14 Jul 2008 20:15:47 +0000

Hmmm, thanks for weighing in Heidi (and how did the foreign trip go?).

I think that ‘consultant’ is so wishy-washy that it ranks with ‘Executive’. Every man, woman and their dog could be a ‘Digital Media Executive’ or ‘Social Media Consultant’ (most graduates straight out of uni are given this title – see below*) but the title doesn’t mean that they have expertise.

I agree that Guide and Sherpa are trite, and in an Australian context wouldn’t work.

And I agree that ‘expert’ is problematic — but who would argue that Chris Brogan and Shel Holtz *aren’t* experts? Or Scoble? Or Rubel? They use Social Media phenomenally effectively. As did Hugh Macleod for his clients. Over here in Oztrayler we have a Sydney digital media chap who uses Twitter phenomenally successfully to engage with luminaries (@JJProjects).

And again in Oz we have folks like Darren Rowse making $250k a year from blogging (problogger.net) — could we not call him an expert since he has obviously mastered what most of us would secretly love to do: earn a full-time living from this stuff and bypass the ‘Client KowTow’ and the ‘Frustrating Boss’?

* http://snipurl.com/2yjcw [www_abc_net_au]

By: Heidi Miller

Heidi Miller — Mon, 14 Jul 2008 19:51:32 +0000

I’m against using the word “expert” with respect to social media, mostly because, well, it’s pretty much impossible for anyone to have more than a few years’ experience at it, isn’t it? No one is really an expert yet.

I’m a fan of being more honest with our labels: “consultant” works fine; I like “evangelist” to show passion in hopes of one day becoming an expert as well. “Guide” or “sherpa” can be a bit trite, but they get the job done.

Hmmm. Maybe “Social Media Minion”?

By: Gavin Heaton

Gavin Heaton — Fri, 11 Jul 2008 01:25:48 +0000

I have heard of those as well, Connie! Crazy stuff. So much for developing an “authentic” voice!

By: Connie Reece

Connie Reece — Wed, 09 Jul 2008 07:42:55 +0000

How can I argue with someone who adores my mind and wisdom?

Actually, I agree that some of us have acquired a great deal of expertise in the field of social media. I exaggerate with my “run” advice for a couple of reasons. First, because the tools are changing so rapidly that it’s impossible to keep up — even for those of us who work full-time in social media.

Second, because the “snake oil salesmen” have arrived with empty promises that social media will cure all your marketing woes for the low, low price of $99 per month — literally. One of the attendees at a conference I spoke at had received a pitch from a company claiming to be experts at blogging. They would set up a blog for you and write 3 posts a week, all for $99 a month.

That goes to your point about doing your homework when looking for “experts.” And all I can say to that is, Amen.

By: Gavin Heaton

Gavin Heaton — Wed, 09 Jul 2008 07:32:41 +0000

Thanks for the write-up, Lee. Would love to meet up for a coffee next time you are in Sydney

By: Des Walsh

Des Walsh — Wed, 09 Jul 2008 04:35:39 +0000

I have a challenge with the “expert” tag too, but I reserve the right to see you and Gavin and Connie as experts in this field:). And each of you is “doing” social media, which I see as essential for anyone presuming to take people’s money in exchange for advice, whether as social media “expert”, or “consultant” or “strategist” (my current tag of choice for my role) or “guide” or whatever. So I thoroughly endorse your third and last paragraph.