C.C., we wrote a piece in our blog a few months back that relays exactly what you're emphasizing and attempts to define simple rules to help people to navigate a world of self-proclaimed experts: http://traackr.com/blog/?p=36

Take a look if you can and give us your thoughts.

See what happens when I get behind on reading feeds? I miss good posts like this!

I'm not a big fan of the term "social media expert" either, especially when self-anointed (see Matt Bacak). This is a pretty good delineation, though, C.C.

Here's my definition of an expert: "Someone who has the brains to do exactly what I want to do but don't have the brains to do."

Solve my problem, and I'll call you any darn thing you want.

In other words, there's no

It isn't that I don't like the term "expert" but I just think it gets thrown around a little too easy these days is all. Everyone who Twitters a lot and has a Facebook account seems to think they are an "expert" and I find that far from the truth.

CC, if you don't like the term "social media expert," what would you prefer?

Great post, CC. While it is understandable that some require the term "expert" to listen (esp. in corporate America) I think what they're really looking for is someone who understands what the tools can do for their business. Expert or not, some people "get it" and some don't. Some self-proclaimed "experts" don't get it... they understand the what but not the how.

It's the "how" that is important.

I find it humorous, CC, when reporters talk to other people about social media. Shouldn't someone employed in the media space be able to identify media? I'm hopeful that's the future.

Of course the challenge, Amber, is many business might hear what you are saying but they won't LISTEN and let your words seep into their brains, rather than going in one ear and out the other.

CC, I think this is a conversation that needs to be talked more about. Having a blog and a Twitter account doesn't make you a social media expert, neither does buying into a MLM business make you an internet marketing guru.

Tools never define the craftsman, it's always the expertise and detail of his work. In my opinion, an expert in defined by their knowledge and their level of success.

Oh CC, you just hit on something that's been poking at the back of my brain! And I'm so glad you brought it up.

"Some people need to hear it in order to listen to someone."

I'm realizing that as much as I don't like the term expert either, that's exactly what some businesses want to know they're buying. I can give them the altruistic explanation until the cows come home about how no one is an expert, but as a business person spending money on this, they don't want to hear that. To your point, however, they DO want to know that I can translate the use and application of these "tools" into a business environment, something that moves the needle toward their goals.

I suppose that in many cases, the proof of expertise is in a) past performance and b) future execution. But we're still needing to comfort the businesses spending resources in this delicate economy that they're not engaging some hack with a blog in their basement. Perhaps the term we dislike so much for all the right reasons is exactly the one they need to feel comfortable. But the proof of expertise will come with a track record, I believe. Lots to chew on. Thanks. :)