How to Spot a Social Media Expert

There are a lot of individuals and companies positioning themselves as “social media experts” these days. You can’t swing a dead cat without hitting one, in fact. Of course, being an expert at something that is younger than my couch and so rapidly evolving/reinventing seems to me to be an interesting value proposition.

So how do you know if the bio you’re reading or the spam you’re deleting truly is that of a bona fide social media expert? Here are some tips for identifying a social media expert:

• It will say “social media expert” in the individual’s Twitter bio.
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• The word “guru” will appear somewhere in their tweets, biography or website.
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• The person will be able to guarantee that social media will make you rich beyond your wildest dreams.
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• This SM expert will urge you to consider something called “affiliate marketing.”
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• The guru will have an inside tip on how to attract thousands of followers on Twitter in 90 days (as if that matters).
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• If you come across this person on one social network, he or she’s first outreach to you will be a request to follow him or her on another social network.
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• There should be no logical connection between your personal or professional interests and what this expert is trying to sell you.
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• If they’re smart, they will have automated a canned response that you will receive the moment you follow them on Twitter. (Combined with the best practices outlined above, this might read something like, “You rock! Thanks for following me. I’m also on FB [link here]. DM me for tips on how to gain followers and make money on Twitter!”)
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• Your Twitter handle will appear in this person’s tweets for no apparent reason, tied to some other self-promotional message.
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• Social media “experts” broadcast, they don’t engage. If you’re lucky, your personal Facebook stream will be littered with messages from said person. You will never have to guess what this person wants from you.
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• You’ve never heard of the person, but he or she has a book you can’t afford NOT to read.
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• The words “social media” “twitter” or “Internet” will be cleverly integrated into their online identities (e.g.: social_media_gal, twitterdude104, InternetMonyMkr).
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• This person knows and preaches only ONE utility for social media: MAKING $$$$$$!!!!
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• Nearly every solution discussed, in any context, will be positioned as “version 2.0.”
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• Just wait a minute….they’ll tell you.
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I’m sure there are more, which I’m hoping you will add to the list via the comments section. These are just the first few that came to mind as bulletproof. Good luck finding your social media expert, and don’t forget to DM me for money-making tips and can’t-fail Facebook strategies!