As far back as January of this year, David Armano and I have been a having a discussion on twitter about the need for a Social Media Sheriff. I nominated him for the job, but he declined. I was bummed because I think he’d do a great job of it. David has the experience, chops, clout and respect to be the person who can call bullshit on snake oil salesmen, posers and charlatans.
Recently, he and I revisited the topic after a “blogger” decided to plagiarize a bunch of his work and tried to pass it off as their own. Peter Kim wrote a nice summary of the situation, without naming names. Although, I think he should have named names. These “criminals” need to be called out. And let’s make no mistake, they are criminals. They steal time, they steal effort and they misrepresent themselves as “experts” to unsuspecting people and companies.
In an indirect way, Peter, whom I respect a lot, basically challenged me on my some claims I was making about thinking around “Social Business.” I made the claim that this was a topic I had been covering for some time. He matter of factly challenged me to produce the deck…which I did, in a limited format due to client confidentiality. Was I irritated that he challenged me and my statement? Sure, I was. But, did I understand it? You bet.
We’re operating in a wild wild west atmosphere right now. Any NO ONE wants to step up and where the badge. No one wants to call out someone else. No one wants to point out the charlatan. You know why? Because, as I wrote here:
Our industry is filled with chances to be honest, authentic, and genuine. But, too often we pass on those chances. I’ve been overly critical of so-called professional analysts like soon to be former Forrester Social Media analyst Jeremiah Owyang. An analyst is supposed to dig in to a situation and honestly assess it. These analysts, with rare exception never provide the brutal honest truth. They avoid controversy and critique like it was the plague. In short, they don’t do the job they’re being paid to do.
I tend to believe the reason they don’t provide an honest assessment of company, person, or situation is that it’s not to their personal benefit. They need to maintain these friendships and connections for future gain. They need to keep things more friendship focused than business focused. You need only look at the number of people leaving analyst firms to join a company they’ve previously “analyzed” to see what I mean.
It’s not in their interest to wear the badge. Well, it’s not in their interest until it starts hurting their bottom line. When someone starts plagiarizing David’s work and taking potential business away from him, it becomes an issue that’s worth paying attention to and focusing on. Funny, how that works 
I really like approach Justin Kownacki is taking lately. One of things I’ve always respected about Justin is his BRUTAL honesty. If you want to see that in action, check out his post titled “What Do We Do About Plagiarism?“ He’s facing this issue head on and I like it. Last year I wrote a post covering the Top 10 Favorite Blogs and one covering the Top 10 People To Follow On Twitter. This year, and very soon, I’ll be focusing on the top 10 people to avoid on twitter, the top 10 snake oils salesman in social media, and of course the top 10 bullshitters. I’m sure it’ll ruffle some feathers, but frankly I don’t care.
It’s time for someone to take on the responsibility of being the sheriff and since the “thought leaders” in the industry don’t have the balls to do it, I guess I’ll be the one who wears the badge. You’re on notice and I believe in a zero tolerance approach.
Interactive marketer, innovator, boat rocker, continuous learner, movie lover, risk taker, dad and all around good guy. I'm always up for a spirited conversation. These are my thoughts and ramblings, not those of my employer.
Do you actually have the balls to do this? I'm in to help, support or just have your back in a fight, as long as you're honest about it.
Kudos.
As I mentioned in my response to Peter and David — whoever writes this better have their lawyer lined up. Don't get me wrong, I think it needs to happen, but I doubt it will happen through lists — unless those lists DOCUMENT (via screen shots) the pattern of abuse by the offenders. It's just too easy to change ones' site these days and cry defamation. Just sayin'.
Here's my article reference: http://livepath.blogspot.com/2009/09/peter-kim-...
I'm all for brutal when it's required!
Well, I don't know whether you're qualified or not, but what the hell, go for it. There are a couple of issues at work here. One, the majority of so-called gurus are simply people who have done a good job using SM to build their own following and voice. They have zero experience at marketing, building brands, counseling companies, etc. Give them a client and they would have not idea what to do. Second, most of the content about how to use SM is all about personal branding, which is good, but a little self serving, and not proof or evidence that you could guide client anywhere. We can all get out there and simply build our own personal following and voice, but I assure you other than a few people who are selling books and doing speaking gigs, there's not monetization for that alone. Unless, of course, you are using it all to build a business, like Gary Vaynerchuk. I wouldn't worry too much. In another year or two, everything will be social. We won't talk about it as if it's a separate category. All communication, all marketing, all online interaction will be a version of what we now call social media. When that happens, it will be all about the content, baby. The smart and the creative will prevail.
Edward
Great thoughts and feedback. My general concern is when so-called gurus who are GREAT at promoting themselves are invited to speak at summits, conferences, and the like and placed upon pedestals as if they WERE in fact actually savvy at promoting/building anything more than themselves. It happens FAR too often. And when these people either successfully sell snake oil or fail miserably they ruin it for people like you and me who actually know what the hell we're talking about. Instead of the wheels being greased, they are frozen solid.
Adam
Well, I agree with you philosophically but not necessarily in actuality. One, I have met people like Jason Falls (assume you are referring to him) and others like CC Chapman. They are pretty smart guys who have managed clients, done real stuff and were early adopters. Some of their thinking, ideas, energy is to be applauded. As for Chris,I don't know him personally, though I am doing a panel with him in November. However, while he may not have experience at branding, or positioning or classic marketing, he has done something that few have done: he has used all the new stuff to build a personal brand, garner a following, share content and advice with them, and mobilize that community to attend his conferences, pay him to speak, and buy his book. Impressive to say the least. He is trying to teach people (individuals) and small businesses to do for themselves what he's done for himself. He practices what he preaches. Now you may argue that his advice and knowledge is limiting were he to be handed a real brand (an Apple, a Nike, a Lending Tree, a Timberland, whatever) but at the same time that's not what he's claiming to do. Also, he is the hardest working guy in the space. I have no idea how he has time for any of the rest of life or his kids. He's made what appears to an outside observer such a commitment to the stream that it must be pretty consuming. However, that again is evidence that he believes in what he's talking about. The plagiarism story is a different one all together. If you haven't read Seth Simonds, you should. He's a great blogger who needs or wants none of the “club” but who's smart as hell and has good insights.
There have been plenty of pieces about SM imposters, but I'm not sure the guys you are calling out are among them. Yes, Chris's book has shortcomings, and my comment back to you was an attempt at giving your thought some credence but at the same time disagreeing somewhat. But again, if you are an “expert” or knowledgeable yourself, it's probably not for you. Imagine someone just entering the conversation. Someone who's never been on Twitter, never blogged and just getting started in social. (BTW, that's the majority of all marketers and business people out there.) For them (remember they've never read his blog yet) he offers up some useful advice. I think it's great that you are speaking out, fighting for what you believe and trying to elevate the conversation. Shame on Chris if he won't engage or only responds to positive. I haven't found that to be the case entirely, but perhaps I'm not as assertive as you are. Though I'm sort of known for that, social media has taught me to be a little more open minded. Not to say that means compromising quality or content of vaue, just that listening to others can be a good thing. Like I'm listening to you.
Chris and I have been down this road before in a post I wrote about thought leaders and practitioners. In short Chris is a great blogger. But if I'm GM and I'm trying to turn around a company I don't need a great blogger. I need a solid strategist that actually understands real world business problems. If you abide by the concept of do 1 thing really well – he's done that in spades. But again if all you want is someone who can speak well and inspire, I'm guessing you voted Obama, not Hillary in the primaries.
Well, I don't know whether you're qualified or not, but what the hell, go for it. There are a couple of issues at work here. One, the majority of so-called gurus are simply people who have done a good job using SM to build their own following and voice. They have zero experience at marketing, building brands, counseling companies, etc. Give them a client and they would have not idea what to do. Second, most of the content about how to use SM is all about personal branding, which is good, but a little self serving, and not proof or evidence that you could guide client anywhere. We can all get out there and simply build our own personal following and voice, but I assure you other than a few people who are selling books and doing speaking gigs, there's not monetization for that alone. Unless, of course, you are using it all to build a business, like Gary Vaynerchuk. I wouldn't worry too much. In another year or two, everything will be social. We won't talk about it as if it's a separate category. All communication, all marketing, all online interaction will be a version of what we now call social media. When that happens, it will be all about the content, baby. The smart and the creative will prevail.
Edward
Great thoughts and feedback. My general concern is when so-called gurus who are GREAT at promoting themselves are invited to speak at summits, conferences, and the like and placed upon pedestals as if they WERE in fact actually savvy at promoting/building anything more than themselves. It happens FAR too often. And when these people either successfully sell snake oil or fail miserably they ruin it for people like you and me who actually know what the hell we're talking about. Instead of the wheels being greased, they are frozen solid.
Unfortunately our social contract seems to be we should ignore or heap praise upon these people. Have you ever noticed that our industry leaders never critique one another? Why is that? Well, I think it's the back slapper mentality. When Jason slaps Chris' back, Chris will slap Jason's in return. But, if Jason calls out Chris he loses a valuable asset – even if it what he says is true.
This is how we end up with mediocrity.
See the difference between these “no talent ass clown [s]” and me/you is that I/we have a real track record and “book” of work you can point to. I don't need someone like Chris to support me, he needs me to support him.
Adam
Adam
Well, I agree with you philosophically but not necessarily in actuality. One, I have met people like Jason Falls (assume you are referring to him) and others like CC Chapman. They are pretty smart guys who have managed clients, done real stuff and were early adopters. Some of their thinking, ideas, energy is to be applauded. As for Chris,I don't know him personally, though I am doing a panel with him in November. However, while he may not have experience at branding, or positioning or classic marketing, he has done something that few have done: he has used all the new stuff to build a personal brand, garner a following, share content and advice with them, and mobilize that community to attend his conferences, pay him to speak, and buy his book. Impressive to say the least. He is trying to teach people (individuals) and small businesses to do for themselves what he's done for himself. He practices what he preaches. Now you may argue that his advice and knowledge is limiting were he to be handed a real brand (an Apple, a Nike, a Lending Tree, a Timberland, whatever) but at the same time that's not what he's claiming to do. Also, he is the hardest working guy in the space. I have no idea how he has time for any of the rest of life or his kids. He's made what appears to an outside observer such a commitment to the stream that it must be pretty consuming. However, that again is evidence that he believes in what he's talking about. The plagiarism story is a different one all together. If you haven't read Seth Simonds, you should. He's a great blogger who needs or wants none of the “club” but who's smart as hell and has good insights.
There have been plenty of pieces about SM imposters, but I'm not sure the guys you are calling out are among them. Yes, Chris's book has shortcomings, and my comment back to you was an attempt at giving your thought some credence but at the same time disagreeing somewhat. But again, if you are an “expert” or knowledgeable yourself, it's probably not for you. Imagine someone just entering the conversation. Someone who's never been on Twitter, never blogged and just getting started in social. (BTW, that's the majority of all marketers and business people out there.) For them (remember they've never read his blog yet) he offers up some useful advice. I think it's great that you are speaking out, fighting for what you believe and trying to elevate the conversation. Shame on Chris if he won't engage or only responds to positive. I haven't found that to be the case entirely, but perhaps I'm not as assertive as you are. Though I'm sort of known for that, social media has taught me to be a little more open minded. Not to say that means compromising quality or content of vaue, just that listening to others can be a good thing. Like I'm listening to you.
Chris and I have been down this road before in a post I wrote about thought leaders and practitioners. In short Chris is a great blogger. But if I'm GM and I'm trying to turn around a company I don't need a great blogger. I need a solid strategist that actually understands real world business problems. If you abide by the concept of do 1 thing really well – he's done that in spades. But again if all you want is someone who can speak well and inspire, I'm guessing you voted Obama, not Hillary in the primaries.