The Real Deal…
This is a bit of rant. Bear with me. Of late, I’ve had the privilege, let’s call it that, I’ve been approached by some who have appointed themselves the guardians of the social media industry in some odd fashion it seems. I didn’t know about this secret organization until I was tapped to engage in a meeting to discuss the “woes” of social media and how we as “professionals” need to take back our industry…pretty heady stuff to tell you the truth.
I respect the opinions and perspective others bring to the table – in fact – that’s what is great about social media – getting different points of view. What is not great is the power of the platforms to allow some to take their own agenda and oversize ego to the extreme. This is where I part ways.
I consult with companies to show them the power of the medium, not become the “Norma Rae” of the social media universe and take it upon myself to promote the agenda of a small group who feel that industry is being horribly damaged by others who, if you had spent any time on Twitter, Facebook or Google Plus you can clearly see the pattern of self serving behavior. It doesn’t take a “guru” to figure out that these individuals are feeding their audience dribble in the first place. Any consultant who feels they must title themselves an “expert” “ninja” “guru” has already lost all credibility in the game because titles are meaningless and frankly, if you list your location on Twitter for example as “planet earth” “here” or any other type of humorless prose, people are running for the exit from your stream. No one is taking you seriously. As for those who have “millions” of fans – read their message and decide for yourself if they are worthy of your time and if you think the number jive with the message they promote. Do they walk their talk consistently? You don’t need anyone to spoon feed to you your opinion of others, do you?
So why do so many otherwise bright individuals feel it is their cause to point fingers and judge others? Who appointed you? Where did you get your permission to be the spokesperson for an industry? I’m sure your clients would rather you spend your time on their projects and campaigns rather than take time to “out “others? I know I would if I was your client. And I know my clients appreciate my time is spent on their projects – I’m not being paid to do otherwise.
Social media is a small community, we all talk to each other and frankly, some are pushing gossip as gospel and others are merely just bad mouthing others to get a leg up for their own business – which is not being naive, business is not always sunshine and lollypops. It’s a dog eat dog world, you need thick skin– but there are many who chose not to travel down the low road with you.
Yes. People buy fake followers. Yes, I know it’s tragic – people lie, cheat and steal their way to success. Get over it. This is not news nor will it take down social media. What will take it down – if social media becomes more about secret groups and cliques and the collaborative environment is over run by those who feel their mission to destroy businesses in order for their own business to survive. Social media is about building relationship – on trust and honesty.
For me, I’d rather do business with someone who is focused on making my company a success, not a personal agenda – but that’s me and I’m pretty sure a few others as well. In some ways, it seems those who protest loudly against some of the individuals may be grinding their own axe – and those who get caught up in their agenda maybe unaware of this fact. The circle you keep and reputation you gain is important – be sure to know who you are letting into your circle of influence.
The more time I’ve spent talking with real people, people who work for a living in social media and pay their mortgages through their consulting, like myself, the more I begin to weed out my own lists on Twitter, Facebook and take a harder look at the messages being sent out.
On a bit of my background, I consult with companies on marketing, public relations and graphic design through GingerConsulting. #bealeader is part of GingerConsulting and this company focuses on strategic business mentoring and consulting. Both companies are designed to work with small to mid-size companies. My background is in marketing and public relations – not keeping up with the “Joneses” or the latest fad.
My life is not social media but I do use the platforms to engage my audience and to keep in touch with prospects and clients. I actually go out and teach others how to maximize their use of the platforms as well. The more real you are, the better you can engage. No one is speaking to those who sound like they are sales flyer.
Social media is a platform – it’s a marketing tool and yes, there are many folks whom I engage that value my expertise. But I’m not going to hang a banner to stroke my own ego to let the world know – I’ll let my work and my clients, my circle of influence and trusted sources speak for me. And I want to see more companies use social media to the best of their ability – and that is a worthy cause.
What say you? Are you fed up with the negative energy of late? Or do you feel that it is the right call for others to stand up and seek out the “faux” experts?
Hey Ginger,
Good questions! And I get your rant. IMHO, Darwinian evolution is alive and well in the SM industry as it is in the consulting industry. Since 2008, I’ve gained about a million more competitors – white collar folk who become “consultants” while trying to find a full-time job. Don’t get me wrong, I don’t think that is a bad strategy and I help folks find jobs, even feeding them overflow work from my practice. At the same time, though, being a consultant is a different profession and these and others confuse the market about what good consultants do and don’t do. My business thrives anyway, because these folks aren’t really competition. Prospects see the difference between someone who is comitted to the industry and has the appropriate credentials and someone who isn’t.
So, for my $0.25, I don’t think we need SM-police; rather, the market will get policed by prospects and customers who can smell the difference between a performer and a pretender. The only suggestion I would offer to those who want to create a little self-policing in the SM-consulting arena is this: Develop a credential that means something, then make it happen. I’m a PCM, which is a strong designation for marketers. My wife is a CFRE, key credential for fund-raisers. There are CPAs, PEs, CPMs, etc. that mean something and lett prospective customers separate the wheat from the chaff.
Thoughts?
David
Credentials can be very influential. I believe folks will do business with those who align with their business goals – if you meet the clients needs, you will be hired. It doesn’t get very complicated. We can see who is real and who isn’t by their own bluster and messaging. You will attract those who want to do business with you and those who only there to take you for ride. Its up to us to decide who we will associate with at the end of the day.
Hi, Jen.
I’m not certain which conversation prompted your rant, but it’s a well-founded one!
I totally agree that social media isn’t about amassing followers so much as it is about building relationships. As a character-based leader, I’ll take quality of connection over quantity any day!
I never claim the title of guru, expert, ninja or anything of the kind for myself. It’s a title I’ll gladly accept when bestowed upon me by colleagues, clients and peers.
By keeping my focus on my brand, my services and the products I provide, based on the needs of my clients and prospects, I’m able to continue building my business. Today is a perfect example of that. Two different clients of mine are both members of a private group where a third person posted that they needed social media help. Both of my clients (who don’t know one another) recommended me to this person. Needless to say, I was happy to take her call, and help her with her problem.
I figure if I keep my nose in my own business, and keep doing what I need to do next to serve my clients, my business will have staying power, and outlast any fly-by-night outfits that don’t know what they’re doing. I’ve been in business 2.5 years now, and that philosophy has served me well thus far!
Great comment, Tara. Thank you very much. I’ve found some amazing clients in private groups and networking as well. We attract those who align with our purpose and passion. Our business will have the power to stay in power as long as focus our efforts on serving those clients to the best of our ability. We are dedicated to our clients and that is the passion, the purpose that propels us forward.
Reblogged this on Things I grab, motley collection .
Funny you write this – I had something happen last night that put me in quite the conundrum. It seems a site is scraping content from my blog via a share tool that works kind of like visib.li. If you go to their site you see my theme, my comments, my content. I was ranting and raving and calling the social media karma police, but then someone said, “Dude….is it worth your time?”
People who want to “save social media” are going to increase in number because there is a palpable sense that social media is becoming more a tool and less a buzz word or world. For people who have made their entire living on social media the last few years, that’s terribly frightening, I’m sure. But the change is coming. Factually, social media is not a world. It’s not even a community. It’s a tool. The folks who contacted you may be related to cave men who wanted to hold on to their rocks when metal came into the picture. But rock hammers aren’t a community either. They’re tools that might bring people who use them together.
People need to stretch now to find ways to turn their social media guru status into something that reverts back into the real world. I fear for those folks, truly. We shall see what happens.
Great post, Jen.
Thanks, Margie. Is it worth your time – that’s the question. It is frightening for many to have their world change. I agree that social is a tool, and frankly, everything evolves and changes. We do need to back to basics and social media part of the equation not the complete solution. I fear the temperature will rise and the cannibalization of social “gurus” will drive some from the platforms. To me, that is the bigger threat faced in social media – but when you stand back and look at the bigger picture, there are so many who understand the tool and use it for proper business function. I think these folks will be drowned out and their negativity will not matter in the end.
I tend to agree with David on the Darwinian nature of social media today. I think it is this that should give hope because, while the negative energy will never be fully eradicated, it will be (is?) clear what are people’s motivations.
As David suggests, credentials & corresponding action can prove value. But beyond that, simply & authentically engaging is the best way to show credibility & value.
Self-appointed police are not really doing this & would prefer (I guess) to contract the possibilities enabled by the tool (yes – social media is a tool). The tools & the way people engage others through them define the norms & mores of the communities. It is a fool’s errand to try to reduce that. I’d rather think expansively, open channels, & be a part of what happens next.
Thanks, Brian. I agree, you will always have the negative element in social media. I would prefer to see the positives that social media can produce and focus the energy on maximizing the potential for companies and individuals. There is a power to the platforms and that should be where we focus our attention – not on the dark side and the negative companies. They will ultimately be rooted out and disbanded by the individuals who are using the tools properly.
I’m thinking of George Carlin who said, “Never argue with an idiot. They will only bring you down to their level and beat you with experience.”
You make some great points here and those who think they are the self-appointed Social Media Police are probably worth what they are being paid. Nothing.
You are right, social media is a platform, a tool. Those who bring real value to others win the prize. You are proof of this. Good job.
Thank you very much, Dan.
One of my favorite quotes. Never allow yourself to sink to a level where you feel that you are looking up to the high road. There are many great folks who do bring value, and they are doing the work as they advertise. As a community, the ones who are not, are generally weeded out and fall to the way side. As they say – the cream rises to the top.
Cheers.