Which Social Media "Expert" are you?

These days, it's not hard to find an expert on social media. Well, to rephrase, it's not hard to find a self-proclaimed expert on social media. With the semi-recent craze for all things Twitter, Facebook and web 2.0, everyone seems to be coming out of the woodworks announcing their know-it-all status when it comes to online marketing and poking around the deep dark corners of networking websites. But how knowledgeable are these "experts"? What makes a social media expert to begin with? Which social media expert are you?

There are a few types of “experts” on the web that you may run into when looking for a professional in the social media world. Heck, you may very well be one of these social media experts. Read on to investigate the inner workings of online “specialists”…

The Twitter Expert
The Twitter Expert is one who has a Twitter account, and is probably an obsessive tweeter. They probably follow people in the thousands in an effort to increase their “follower” numbers. The people they’re following most likely will exceed their followers by a number in the hundreds at the least. This expert thinks they specialize in all things Twitter, but they’re likely the type of “I am clipping my toenails right now”-tweeter that you try to avoid. Follower quantity means more to them than follower quality and to credit their expertise, they’ll often boast about the number of followers they have - even though 80% of them are likely spammers. If you don’t follow the Twitter Expert back, they might shamelessly DM you to say, “Will you follow me back!?”

The Business Expert
The Business Expert is one who has an online presence for their business, either on Twitter, Facebook, both or other networking websites. This expert thinks their knowledge of social media is credible due to the fact that they use it for their business. This expert is about as much a social media connoisseur as the person who hands out teriyaki chicken samples in the food court at the mall is an expert at marketing Thai food. Just because you play the game, doesn’t mean you should be a coach.

The Local Expert
The Local Expert is a native to the area and may or may not be a shameless self-promoter. This expert promotes their credibility through the fact that they know the city, the town and what’s going on with the local culture, thus they probably tweet useful information often and may have a substantial and legitimate following. The only problem is, this expert probably learned everything they know from someone else. All of the information they give you is likely second hand knowledge and they may or may not take the credit for it. There is no disputing the fact that The Local Expert is experienced and familiar with using social media applications, but by no means are they social media specialists or should be offering their “services” to others.

The Unemployed Expert
The Unemployed Expert, it goes without saying, does not have a job. For this reason, they can spend unparalleled amounts of time online perfecting their social media expertise. They’re the people you see flooding your update column with useful, and sometimes controversial thoughts…ALL the time. Sparking a controversial conversation with an A-lister is probably the highlight of their jobless day. It’s okay though, because due to those particular conversations, they’re seen and virally heard by hundreds, sometimes millions. At the end of the day, sometimes it’s their social media presence that ends up getting them hired. The Unemployed Expert will likely know social media pretty well, but may or may not know the inner workings of strategic communications specifically for businesses. Ancient Chinese Proverb: He who can market himself, may not necessarily be capable of marketing others.

The Public Relations Expert
The Public Relations Expert is usually a professional in the marketing industry who first stumbled upon the beautiful world of social media in an effort to promote or advertise a client. These professionals were probably the first people online who immediately recognized the power of social media, harnessed its raging potential and used it to their advantage. Whether or not they do it effectively, however, is open to interpretation. The Public Relations, or PR, Expert accredits their expertise to the fact that they use social media for their client(s). This lucky expert has the ability to transfer their authoritative status in the marketing industry over to the world of social media. Some PR Experts can talk the talk, but not all can walk the walk.

The Salesman Expert
The Salesman Expert is generally someone who isn’t at all interested in joining a social conversation, and doesn’t really care about social media at all. This selfish social savant is only interested in selling their own product or service, and their updates will generally reflect that. These Internet marketers will sometimes boast about having the secret juice, the magic dust that will bring you followers. Don’t fall for it. Like a fat person trying to lose weight, the only way to gain followers is by doing it the good old-fashioned way: hard work and (metaphorical) exercise.


If you think your expertise has been questioned here, it probably has. Don’t get your panties in a bundle; it’s for good reason. Step back and ask yourself which social media expert are you? Are you a mixture of a few classifications? Should you REALLY be offering "services" to others on social media? The definition of a social media “expert” should not be open for interpretation. It’s not a grey issue. You either are or you aren’t.

If you’re not sure, a good rule of thumb is to wait until someone ELSE says you are. Otherwise, you’ve just been self-diagnosed. Where’s the credibility? You can tweet about being an expert and others can too; you may even have your own website, blog and newsletter, but the only thing that can qualify you as a REAL social media expert is a PROVEN track record of success. That means results.

I’ll leave you with this ancient Chinese proverb: Keep your broken arm inside your sleeve.

Go forth and tweet,
Bridget Marie

P.s. If you know of an Expert I didn't list here, please leave me a comment and I'll add it to the list!

Sometimes, lessons are learned the hard way...

After much discussion with my close, sarcastic friend, Michael Casalena, we decided that since we're all about learning from our mistakes and self-reflection, we should join forces once in a while and let others know the lessons we've learned. For anonymity reasons, our lessons learned are jumbled here without ownership. Just know, at least one of us is responsible for writing each and every one of these GOLDEN pieces of knowledge. From us to you...enjoy, and happy Friday.

I learned that Baltimore Ravens Matt Birk is actually a pretty cool guy to hang around. Yeah, I'm VIP. *Brushes shoulder off*I learned that I can build a 2-foot high wall of coke cans at work as a cube-wall and get away with it.

I learned that 5-hour energy’s can allow your body to accomplish impossible feats of endurance.

I learned that it’s impossible to please everyone, never beat yourself up when you can’t.

I learned that people in Maryland really like the Governor. No. They REALLY like him.

I learned that you should act like you don’t care when your sister calls you saying she may or may not have went to class. You’re not the mom.

I learned that whenever you want your fiancé to pick you up Golden Grahams at the food store, make sure you WRITE IT ON HIS FOREHEAD before he leaves. Or, like me, you probably wont be eating any Golden Grahams until the next grocery trip.

I learned that I don’t have a drinking problem, I have a problem with corporate.

I learned that life is full of “list-makers.” The people that instinctively leap into action are the leaders.

I learned that I am a very highly sociable person when I choose to be, despite the fact that I deeply RELATE to pretty much no one.

I learned not to call the girl back I met at the club who was 20-years old, drop dead gorgeous, without schooling, living at her parent's house, and without a job that would allow her to move out. She's a real winner.

I learned that there are people out there who would actually be much happier if they had my corporate job. This confuses and frightens me.

I learned not to schedule a meeting with a would-be priest for our wedding that might happen to be at the same time as my fiance's insignificant flag football game. Of course, flag football takes priority over our wedding officiant; how silly of me.

Happy Friday.
Go forth and learn,
Bridget Marie & Mike Casalena

Productivity vs. Presence

Something most people don’t know about me – I can get done in an hour what it takes most people to do in three. Like a small elf in Santa’s workshop, I’m extremely and passionately productive. It’s like magic; I can’t really explain it…I’m just gifted. Even on my busiest days, days where I can hardly come up for a breath from all the work– I still find myself on Twitter for at least a half an hour, if not more (though most of that time is still spent promoting/tweeting about clients).

In my actual 8.5-hour day, probably four of those hours could be better spent working from the comfort and convenience of my own home…turning out better work in addition, mind you. On Fridays, that number increases by about four and a half more.

It's no secret that Americans are the hardest working culture possibly in the world. We work 24 hours a day, seven days a week chasing after the American Dream. The fact of the matter is, we could, in all honesty, work all day and all night and all weekend at all hours. My point being - there's certainly no shortage of work.

But when there is no shortage of work and no time-in/time-out clock, there's only one person who can blow the whistle, time out and go home - you. I'm sure if you're like me, you really do not mind staying late or working overtime if there is a particular deadline at stake; sometimes you just have to/want to/need to finish what you're doing. But when there is no deadline, what's wrong with the workday ending at 5:00 p.m.? Nothing. And don't let anyone tell you differently.

While we are an extremely hard working culture, we live in a time where people value face time over productivity. Fortunately, nine to five workers are a dying breed. Scientifically, working from nine to five just doesn’t make sense. When’s the last time you did anything in terms of personal business or projects for eight consecutive hours? When forced to do anything for that long, we lose the ability to concentrate effectively within just a few hours of starting.

To achieve the highest level of energy in your brain, breaks must be taken. Sure, we could push through and stare at a computer screen at work for 8.5 hours, but the work produced definitely won’t have the same creative edge as if your brain was being constantly rejuvenated with non-work activities.

Since I’m not one to complain about a problem without proposing a substantial solution, I suggest a Compressed Work Schedule (CWS). If you’ve ever worked for the government or know anyone who does, you may be familiar with this beautiful agenda. For those of you who aren’t, allow me to explain.

A compressed work schedule is one where employees work their total number of full time hours in fewer days by working more hours a day. The day off can be the same for all employees or it may vary or rotate. The most common compressed work schedules are 4/40, A 40-hour week consisting of four 10-hour days and one day off a week (or every other week); a 9/80, 80 hours worked over two weeks, consisting of eight 9-hour days, one 8-hour day and one day off; and a 3/36, A 36-hour week consisting of three 12-hour days and two days off a week.

Compressed Work Schedules benefit employers immensely because they are PROVEN to reduce absenteeism, tardiness and turnover by tremendously improving employee morale. A CWS provides employers with more coverage for customer services/client face time over various time periods during the workday. It’s also very beneficial for employees because it provides more flexibility for family and personal responsibilities.

If you are hesitant to try a compressed work schedule for your entire workforce, I suggest instituting a pilot program. If this pilot results in employee and management satisfaction, then the program could be expanded.

In some instances, as in my case particularly, employees may not have fixed hours from nine to five, or similar. In this case, a compressed work schedule can be negotiated among the work force by proposing that any extra hours worked (for overtime, events, or on weekends) does not count toward the CWS week hours. (For example, if you work a special event that goes until 10:00 p.m. on a Tuesday night, those extra hours worked would not be counted as part of the CWS week, and you would continue to work your CWS week as expected.)

A common concern that employers have about this and other remote work arrangements is that employees will abuse the time by slacking off. Employers give an inch and they’re afraid employees will take a mile. While I think this is a valid trepidation, I think it depends on the quantity and quality of staff. If you’re an employee who is as hard working, productive and trustworthy, not unlike myself, and your staff is at a manageable number, not unlike my company, that fact of the matter is – it might just be a perfect fit.

Good luck pitching this to your dinosaur boss who’s probably still living in the nine to five Stone Age. The cave man has come to his senses. The change is inevitable.

In the mean time, there will be plenty of work left for me to do on Monday. And I never miss a deadline,
Bridget Marie