Beware of People Dictating Social Networking Rules

Image by luc legay via Flickr

It's easy to think that because I use Twitter every day and I'm completely immersed in social media that so is just about everyone else, but it's just not so, In fact, a recent Pew Research Center study found that only 11 percent of all adults are using Twitter or a similar service up from 9 percent in November and 6 percent in May.

Are There Really Rules?

Chris Brogan, the crown prince of social media posted a link on Twitter the other day to a blog post on WebWorker Daily where writer Dawn Foster tried to define who would make a good social media consultant. Chris was skeptical about the writer's criteria.

The fact is that Foster is right that lots of people are calling themselves social media consultants these days, and buyers should be beware, but I also agree with Brogan and wonder how she is so convinced that her set of criteria is the right one. It's just too early in the game to be making up firm rules on how to go about any of this in my view.

Be Skeptical of People Who Are Convinced

I'm always skeptical when I see posts (and there are many) where people tell the reader the rules of using social media. Sure, there are techniques you probably want to avoid (like spamming people or only using social media as a promotional tool), but beyond that we are still very much in the experimental early adopter phase (especially if you believe that only one in 10 of us are even using Twitter as the Pew survey shows).

The only thing you have to keep in mind is the social part of the social networking. It's about getting to know people and give and take. Beyond that, don't let anyone tell you how to use Twitter or Facebook or any other social media tool. Sure, they can make educated suggestions, but this whole area is still very much evolving and it annoys me when people start dictating there are rights and wrongs when it's simply too early in the game to say that with anything approaching conviction

Comments

[Tish Grier]

Great post, Ron. This is very different from the "social media zombie" thing I wrote about last week--and, oddly, many soc. media "consultants" fall into the zombie category. But you can tell that by their work...

I agree w/you and others who commented on her post that Dawn's criteia's just a bit too hard-and-fast for an industry that's just starting to get some traction. I was in NYC this week at a social media conference, talking with people who work at large marketing/pr firms, and how even experienced social media people have a very difficult time managing client expectations for social media.

And I know from my own experience that there are far more failures than there are successes--for many, many reasons. To say that you can know a good consultant by their successes, at this point, is wildly premature.

Not to mention that ROI figures and other metrics are still being hashed out.

So, your conclusion is spot on! thanks!

[online soccer games]

The only rule is not hurt anyone, share, have a good time, and that's it

[Adria Richards]

Ron,

I agree with this too! I saw someone saying they were a "Social Media Scientist" and I found that strange to actually claim an educational degree with social networking.

I just posted a video where I pointed out a good starting point in picking a social media consultant is to Google their full name and company name. Based on what you find, it will give you a good idea of their content, techniques and abilities.

YouTube Video
How to pick social media and marketing people based on their google results
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yDz9IxWsAWA

If you say you are a "Social Media Expert", hold a few classes about Twitter, LinkedIN, Facebook and then ask all your attendees to follow you, that's not the same as your peers following you.

[Morriss Partee]

Ron, your stat about 11 percent of all adults must actually be something like 11 percent of ONLINE adults.

[Ron Miller]

Good catch, Morris. You are exactly right. It's 11 percent of ONLINE adults. I stand corrected.

Ron

[Jordan 1]

I'd like to share your beautiful blog! But the way I feel is weak! Would like to have the person help me

[bob jain]

great blog!

[Web Development Company India]

I just posted a video where I pointed out a good starting point in picking a social media consultant is to Google their full name and company name. Based on what you find, it will give you a good idea of their content, techniques and abilities.

[Eric Snyder]

Following proper social media etiquette is very important on the social media networks. Communication is very important on the social networks; especially communication that respects the etiquette of the system. However, that communication on the social networks is dictated by a few tenants that every user must follow or risk the possibility of ignored or banned from the social media networks.