How to Kill a Social Media Expert

Well played, sir.

This is actually not a true statement. There are social media experts out there, they are just far and few between. Only about 2% of those claiming to be social media experts actually are experts- just because you have 17,000 followers on Twitter does not deem you an expert (especially if you are following 20,000 people), if this was the case then Britney Spears would be a social media expert. Since an expert is defined as a person with extensive knowledge or ability based on research, experience, or occupation and in a particular area of study, and based on that definition, someone who had been involved with social media and web 2.0 from its early stages could very well be deemed an expert.

I'm not arguing your definition of expert, but the definition of "social media." Because that term is so subjective and basically undefinable, no one can be an expert in the global use of social media. One might have high knowledge in using Twitter or Facebook or YouTube, thus they would be an expert in that tiny fraction of social media. However, saying someone is an expert in "social media" with finality is like trying to convince someone that you are an expert in War, Life, Theology, or Noetic Science. They encompass too much and are too subjective to independent thought to allow for a true "expert."

Having said all that, I totally agree with you on your point about follower counts and Britney. And I always appreciate intelligent, thought provoking comments, which you so eloquently provided. Thanks, Brenda!

I just talked with a friend about this exact thing yesterday. Weird. The minute your label yourself an expert you are behind the 8 ball.

I'm tired of people saying they are "experts" just to sell themselves.

Its like saying I have my realtor's license - therefore I am an Expert Real Estate. Blanket statements are soo subjective its utterly useless to label yourself as an "expert" in any realm.

By your rationale though (and I agree with it loosely) nobody can ever be called an expert on anything - if we take it to its logical conclusion.

This is coming from am an expert comment replyer. Certified by the International Association of Comment Replyers (founded by me 2 seconds ago). *stamp*

Good point, Markus... If you take my logic and expand it out, then it would be very hard to find an expert in anything. Maybe that's the beauty behind it all? Either way, though, I think there are experts in various fields. There are some with authoritative knowledge in certain disciplines. I just think the term "social media" is too broad and undefined to have one at this point. Just my two cents...

2%. That's an interesting figure. Where did you get that number? Might be nice to qualify you comment with empirical data.

Boy-howdy! You've got that right. It is hard to become an expert, so-called, in a tiny subcategory of any field of endeavor and well nigh impossible to become one with influence that is felt throughout the many faceted world of social media.

what does it mean? :)

In reality, I agree, but since reality is branded by marketers as a sea of perceptions (for their own benefit, of course), then there are social media experts. I wonder though who branded them as that (ah! Themselves :-) ??

Quite the paradox, yes? =)

Ha! You're right about that! But am definitely branding you as a Thesis expert!

Well, thanks! Hopefully I can continue to be an expert in at least one thing!

ha ha...very sweet and to the point!

While I understand where you are coming from, it is quite hard to say there are no experts at all. Social media in digital form is hardly new, as any real social media expert will tell you. It has been around since the 50's when hackers used corporate voice mail systems to record messages and then shared a "call-in number" with other phone hackers. Those hackers would then leave messages that the original hacker could respond to in their next "show". While social media has been around for so long it is constantly evolving, and has evolved from phones to what it is today. However, to not deem someone with immense years of expertise and experience with social media an expert would be the same as not deeming a doctor a medical expert, since the health field is also ever changing (technology, new diseases, new viruses, new pharmaceuticals, etc.).

All valid points, and I completely understand your argument. However, I still believe there are no experts.

Take for instance your medical example. Yes, there are experts in different branches of medicine, but no single person is an expert in all things medicine. As a sports fan, I know that Dr. James Andrews is a foremost expert in orthopedics. All athletes with major injuries to their shoulders, elbows, and knees immediately consult his office. None of them, however, would turn to him to discuss their concussion or heart problems.

Your previous definition of expert is right on point. Someone with high knowledge or skill in a "particular" area is absolutely an expert. My argument is simply that Social Media is just not "particular" enough.

As I said before, I sincerely thank you for commenting! You've actually become one of my favorites on here. And because of that, I subscribed to this site (even though I'm quite the opposite of a girl). =)

Matt,

Sorry to use this space for a question unrelated to your post, but I thought you might be able to help. I recently set up a Wibiya account, but can't seem to figure out where to place the code that is downloaded. I also use the Thesis theme. Did you just cut and past into your Thesis Custom Programming File? Thanks and sorry about doing this.

I figured it out. Sorry to trouble you.

I think we could debate this issue forever, and never agree. lol. Thanks for the shout on twitter.

You're probably right! Haha...

No problem about twitter, you have a great site!

well said!

Lol nice one!

Hahahaha! Got me there! Good one!