What (or who) is a Social Media expert?
I asked this question this morning on Twitter, and got a great set of responses, so I wanted to bring the conversation here instead.
What (or who) is a Social Media expert?
Since leaving IBM/Lotus and joining the "web 2.0" world, everywhere I look all I read about is Social Media, and the gurus in this field. There are lists (and votes) of the top people in the field, and analysts and consultants making a name for themselves around social media. I'm curious what these people called themselves 12-24 months ago? Where they Marketing Managers? Advertising consultants? Campaign Directors? Do you have to have an MBA to be a Social Media guru? What did these people used to do?
To be clear, I AM NOT asking this in a negative or cynical way. The people I've met in this space are great. They are smart, insightful, and really have the knowledge to help customers. I am just trying to wrap my head around the trend.
Social Media seems to focus on establishing a brand, connecting with customers, forming closer bidirectional relationships, generating sales leads, establishing thought leadership, etc.
Isn't this marketing? (promotion of the 4 p's)
I understand people are calling it "New Marketing" and putting 2.0 labels on everything. I understand the medium is changing from print, tv, and email campaigns to Facebook groups, LinkedIn communities, Twitter IDs, etc. (or I should say adding, not changing) I also understand that the audience is changing, and the "needs" of Gen Y are different. (although this one I argue a bit more).
Is collaboration still part of this world, or is that an old word now?
Are social media gurus only helping companies with their external plans, or do they help companies share and collaborate better internally? In my opinion working on branding alone is an epic fail if your employees internally do not leave and breathe these new styles themselves.
Who do you deal with at the customer? Are they people with Social Media in their title, or are you dealing with people in "Marketing"?
I've been helping companies connect better internally and externally since 1993. I've been blogging for years. I have IDs on all the cool "2.0" tools. I keynote conferences talking about sharing, collaboration, and community. Does this make me a social media expert, because I would certainly not use that phrase!
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What (or who) is a Social Media expert?
Since leaving IBM/Lotus and joining the "web 2.0" world, everywhere I look all I read about is Social Media, and the gurus in this field. There are lists (and votes) of the top people in the field, and analysts and consultants making a name for themselves around social media. I'm curious what these people called themselves 12-24 months ago? Where they Marketing Managers? Advertising consultants? Campaign Directors? Do you have to have an MBA to be a Social Media guru? What did these people used to do?
To be clear, I AM NOT asking this in a negative or cynical way. The people I've met in this space are great. They are smart, insightful, and really have the knowledge to help customers. I am just trying to wrap my head around the trend.
Social Media seems to focus on establishing a brand, connecting with customers, forming closer bidirectional relationships, generating sales leads, establishing thought leadership, etc.
Isn't this marketing? (promotion of the 4 p's)
I understand people are calling it "New Marketing" and putting 2.0 labels on everything. I understand the medium is changing from print, tv, and email campaigns to Facebook groups, LinkedIn communities, Twitter IDs, etc. (or I should say adding, not changing) I also understand that the audience is changing, and the "needs" of Gen Y are different. (although this one I argue a bit more).
Is collaboration still part of this world, or is that an old word now?
Are social media gurus only helping companies with their external plans, or do they help companies share and collaborate better internally? In my opinion working on branding alone is an epic fail if your employees internally do not leave and breathe these new styles themselves.
Who do you deal with at the customer? Are they people with Social Media in their title, or are you dealing with people in "Marketing"?
I've been helping companies connect better internally and externally since 1993. I've been blogging for years. I have IDs on all the cool "2.0" tools. I keynote conferences talking about sharing, collaboration, and community. Does this make me a social media expert, because I would certainly not use that phrase!
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