Copy Brighter Marketing - Latest Comments in 5 Signs You’re NOT a Social Media Expert, Yet

Re: 5 Signs You’re NOT a Social Media Expert, Yet

Web Development Services — Tue, 16 Apr 2013 04:06:37 -0000

With the rise in the importance of social media to the business world, has flooded the market with 'experts on the subject. These days, it seems as if it is even impossible to turn your head without falling in at least three of it is not terribly surprising, really "social networking gurus." - Everyone wants to get into the social game, and there is money to be familiar with social networks, and help companies figure out what is the whole deal 'social' everything.

Re: 5 Signs You’re NOT a Social Media Expert, Yet

health insurance — Mon, 17 Dec 2012 15:14:19 -0000

I think a social media expert would be able to figure out who those "right people" are in any given situation and understand the way to reach them in a way that would work.

Re: 5 Signs You’re NOT a Social Media Expert, Yet

StevenKan — Sun, 03 Oct 2010 15:03:08 -0000

I agree. That is a list to aspire to the 7th degree black belt level. Persistence is important but it is good to have a rockstar mentor to follow. Look forward to learning how to get out of kindergarten! And on the inside track to monetization.

Re: 5 Signs You’re NOT a Social Media Expert, Yet

TPC Online Marketing — Sun, 28 Feb 2010 13:37:33 -0000

Great post! I look at these and say 'Ugh, I am none!' But I think that when I have learned enough to make the claim of such a title as "expert" , "Guru",etc I will have stopped learning and thereby failed my clients.

Re: 5 Signs You’re NOT a Social Media Expert, Yet

Clay Franklin — Sat, 21 Nov 2009 03:50:00 -0000

Brett,

First time here. I have really been enjoying your articles, writing style and blog. This is an interesting article. I am quite impressed with how humble you are based on your extensive background. I love social media also and have been around computers since the commodore Vic 20, have a BS in Marketing and 20 years in Business Relationship management. Still I am not a social media expert either and do not meet most if not all of the criteria you have discussed in this article.
I have also tweeted about being with cool people and totally enjoyed talking with them too. My next step is to really work on the first 2 items and take more action and make more money. See you on Twitter.

Re: 5 Signs You’re NOT a Social Media Expert, Yet

jesseATsmarthive — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 20:57:41 -0000

This will be in the curriculum (or the syllabus for a class) for all "Bachelors Degree in Digital Identity and Social Media" programs/universities across the country in 2011.

Re: 5 Signs You’re NOT a Social Media Expert, Yet

Stan Smith — Sat, 10 Oct 2009 09:40:50 -0000

Outstanding points and a great reminder that no matter how many comments I get from my family and friends about the things I am able to do with social media there is always room to get better at what I do.

I'm like Vaspers and do not run ads or monetize my blogs.

I treat my social networks like I am going to a party, my blogs are my home, and my website is my business. That's just me!

Re: 5 Signs You’re NOT a Social Media Expert, Yet

Ian Turk — Sat, 10 Oct 2009 05:25:48 -0000

A big issue is that social media has not been around long enough for anyone to develop real expertise. I am concerned by marketeers who provide mechanical instructions rather than going back to basics and producing a strategy.

Re: 5 Signs You’re NOT a Social Media Expert, Yet

Mr Matt Anderson — Fri, 09 Oct 2009 04:37:02 -0000

Nice stuff and made me smile :-)

I do think that the field of social media is now SO big and growing SO fast, that a humble approach that you cannot be an expert of it all is a good starting point.

Specializing in a niche, owning it and living it every day is the only way to become an expert in a particular field, such as online PR.

I think that point 4 is something that we all can aspire to but probably cannot achieve totally at the moment. :-)

The bottom line that so many people forget is that good communication and networking skills are at the core of successful social media.

If you don't have a good story (content) to sell to your contacts then you are screwed.

Re: 5 Signs You’re NOT a Social Media Expert, Yet

Nile Flores — Thu, 08 Oct 2009 15:50:20 -0000

The problem is that some bloggers do not want to make money on their blog, only share their experience.

The goal is not to be an expert in social media, but well rounded in the knowledge and to influence your followers enough. They are the ones that decide whether you are an 'expert' or 'guru', even if you have a Bachelors or Masters in Marketing. Remember, social media is just another word for marketing.

Re: 5 Signs You’re NOT a Social Media Expert, Yet

Zachary Adam Cohen — Thu, 08 Oct 2009 00:52:51 -0000

greg i really dig where you are going with this comment, and Brett, you obv
have started a fascinating thread that has now stretched on for several
days, so kudos to you.
I think one thing we're missing here is the cost issue, which i alluded to
in an earlier comment, and which I will flesh out now. Small businesses are
not going to hire all star social media gurus like brogans etc...They can't
nor should they afford him. So there will be people selling a less glamorous
and perhaps not a totally revolutionary service but for a lot less. I charge
between 3500-7500 for full on consultations, training, on site development
and strategy. I don't tweet for people, and I don't ghost. I am happy to
help them come up with blog ideas, to edit them, to get them sharing what is
of interest to them and their natural community members, and I facilitate
partnerships between businesses and the social networkers of importance to
that business.

I am sure that my service is less involved and less revolutionary than the
brogans, schwabels, solis' etc...but those guys, I hope, charge an arm and a
leg. There are much more of me than there are of them. Right?

And i get to watch them, and many more, and learn, listen, experiment, be
creative and see what works all the while building my business, my client
and knowledge base as well as my influence in my small circle.

If coke needs a social media guy they aint coming to a guy like me. But then
again I don't charge 200k right?

Re: 5 Signs You’re NOT a Social Media Expert, Yet

Greg Pincus — Thu, 08 Oct 2009 00:42:57 -0000

Brett - maybe we're only talking a semantic difference. I agree that connections are incredibly valuable and certainly make getting initial attention (and often more) in social media much, much, much easier. A company who has that goal would be wise to hire someone with connections to help them achieve it. To me, though, a social media "expert" would be able to create an event/tool/whatever that was so compelling that Mashable, for example, would have to cover it. Great PR practitioners do that as well. And sure, connections can help even there, but aren't the key characteristic. More importantly, wouldn't an expert be able to do something for themselves or their clients that achieved the goals they set out to do even if those goals might have nothing whatsoever to do with attention... and even if the needed connections are the ones the client has, not the outside consultant. Some people need the tools explained, but not hundreds of retweets or articles to reach their goals

As I said, it might be semantics. I know the value of connections is true in every business, and social media is not different. Still, I have trouble with a definition of expertise that's about who you know not what you know. Maybe social media changes that, and maybe some of the rockstars on your list will join you and tell me I'm missing a key point. Or...semantics.

Thanks for the post and starting (and continuing) the great conversation throughout the comments....

Re: 5 Signs You’re NOT a Social Media Expert, Yet

SomerHuffman — Wed, 07 Oct 2009 22:39:00 -0000

Well said! I couldn't agree more. We will see more and more jobs looking for SM Experts to be the voice of their company. Southwest Airlines and Best Buy are perfect examples of things to come!

Re: 5 Signs You’re NOT a Social Media Expert, Yet

leslieellis — Wed, 07 Oct 2009 20:11:50 -0000

Well, I guess we can agree to disagree! I'm not saying someone has to have a million plus hits to be considered an expert but in my opinion, they need to be easily found and be heavily involved with social media to be an expert. You can find her @annevanston on twitter.

Re: 5 Signs You’re NOT a Social Media Expert, Yet

Zachary Adam Cohen — Wed, 07 Oct 2009 19:08:07 -0000

I wonder how much a three month strategy costs w her. There are plenty
of people who can do great work without being googleable. Btw I am
googleable but still. Ur logic is not sound.

Re: 5 Signs You’re NOT a Social Media Expert, Yet

leslieellis — Wed, 07 Oct 2009 19:04:26 -0000

I would say if you are a true social media expert you must be very googleable. I looked someone up and he had four entries. Not an expert! On the other hand, a woman I looked up had 1,890,000 hits and she is number two on Twitter in the SF Bay Area. Definitely an expert!

Re: 5 Signs You’re NOT a Social Media Expert, Yet

Zachary Adam Cohen — Wed, 07 Oct 2009 16:45:32 -0000

thanks marc!

Re: 5 Signs You’re NOT a Social Media Expert, Yet

Marc — Wed, 07 Oct 2009 16:36:49 -0000

I'm with you, Zach. Social media is something that a lot of people are constantly trying to improve upon. I think that unless the majority of us do nothing but that all day everyday with a thirst to learn and improve, we'll not likely master Brett's list here.

Re: 5 Signs You’re NOT a Social Media Expert, Yet

Cindy King — Wed, 07 Oct 2009 11:49:51 -0000

Great list - the first one is the killer though. It's not only a question of wasting time, it's also making the best choice in how you spend your time... and then if you are doing everything my yourself, there is just so much more you always want to do.

Re: 5 Signs You’re NOT a Social Media Expert, Yet

Ann-Marie Fleming — Wed, 07 Oct 2009 08:39:27 -0000

One of the biggest challenges in using social media (in my opinion) is not being so direct. Most businesses are working the social media channels to generate leads/sales, but if you make it so obvious that this is your goal then you will get no where. The true experts find such a great balance between keeping it interesting and keeping it productive. I have not had success using social media in generating business, but I have had great success in finding new and unique suppliers which has made it worthwhile.

Thanks for a great article.

Re: 5 Signs You’re NOT a Social Media Expert, Yet

Gerald Hensel — Wed, 07 Oct 2009 05:14:48 -0000

Sorry, this 'debate' gets a little bit embarassing. Social folks are the only ones who can spend 24/7 talking about wether they are real or not. With all necessary respect, who defines what is real and not? Why do you care? Do butchers roam around asking wether they are real butchers or not? Don't think so.

Re: 5 Signs You’re NOT a Social Media Expert, Yet

wchingya — Wed, 07 Oct 2009 04:02:05 -0000

Upon reading through the 5 signs, obviously I'm no way near to be a social media expert. ^^ Shame shame.. although I like to mark myself as a learner, but that doesn't mean I have to stop where I am and be contented. There are still many levels in the learning process. While being encouraged by your post about how miniature I am in the world of social media, it's my hope to gain productivity knowledge and communication skills along the way. Dare not to think about monetizing for the time being, just hope to connect with some like-minded social media enthusiast, engage in a collaboration perhaps and make something happen. It takes a lot more than just saying along, with efforts and a bit of luck, maybe? *finger cross*

@wchingya
Social/Blogging Tracker

Re: 5 Signs You’re NOT a Social Media Expert, Yet

aasia — Wed, 07 Oct 2009 01:32:58 -0000

After reading this, I slowly started ticking the no or maybe but definitely not yes (not yet!) I believe it is something I would like to pursue full time, but where on earth do I start?
I want to be content and quality driven. So that when I do send out notifcations and articles, people actually read it and or forward it.

I think this list puts a lot of people into context for me. Thanks for sharing.

Re: 5 Signs You’re NOT a Social Media Expert, Yet

Ari Herzog — Wed, 07 Oct 2009 00:04:18 -0000

Expert, sexpert. Who cares?

Re: 5 Signs You’re NOT a Social Media Expert, Yet

phoenix2life — Tue, 06 Oct 2009 22:20:01 -0000

Absolutely. Nice positive list. Agree to it very much.

Especially point 5 about time management is the must.

Awesome article Brett.