A social media expert, according to Erik Qualman, is inclusive to “the luminaries and pioneers of the social media frontier.” Scanning through his 20 picks is like reading a Who’s Who encyclopedia of people who have more blog subscribers than you can ever dream, are paid more money to speak at conventions than anyone else, may hold a patent or two, and have either written best-selling books in their industry or have contributed to other books.
Brian Halligan, Brian Solis, Charlene Li, Chris Brogan, Clay Shirky, Dave Morin, David Meerman Scott, Gary Vaynerchuk, Guy Kawasaki, Jeremiah Owyang, Josh Bernoff, Lee Odden, Mari Smith, Mitch Joel, Paul Gillin, Peter Shankman, Scott Monty, Seth Godin, Shiv Singh, and Valeria Maltoni.
If you’ve spent any time reading other people’s blogs or browsing advertising magazines, you are probably familiar with these names. They are occasionally grouped collectively, with a few others, as A-list bloggers. If you want to write like they write and build up your credibility to their level, Glen Allsopp shares some tips.
But are they experts? Arik Hanson would disagree, rewinding time to a simple question he asked two months ago: “Are we focusing too much time on today’s A-listers at the expense of cultivating tomorrow’s thought leaders?”
Arik suggests a different list of people.
Amy Mengel, Chuck Hemann, Dana Lewis, David Mullen, David Spinks, Elizabeth Sosnow, Greg Swan, Heather Whaling, Justin Goldsborough, Ken Burbary, Lauren Fernandez, Len Kendall, PR Cog, Rachel Kay, Ryan Stephens, Scott Hepburn, Shonali Burke, Sonny Gill, Tony Saucier, and Valerie Simon.
I’ll posit that all 40 people — from both Erik’s and Arik’s lists — are social media experts, but since we agree social media experts are dumb, perhaps the guru modifier would hold better?
To read more about each list of 20 names and link to their blogs and websites, head on over to Erik’s list of experts and Arik’s list of leaders and be inspired.
Have a happy Saturday!
About Ari Herzog
The term ‘expert’ gets bandied about rather too freely. There is a semantic devaluation, similar in nature to overuse of ‘hero’. I used to take the view that an expert was a member of the Academy of Experts, and thus available to give expert testimony in the law courts. I have somewhat relaxed that position (mellowing with age), and certainly the people listed have a degree of influence and notability in certain areas. I think Social Media expertise is difficult to quantify, the entry point to claiming such expertise being relatively low. It always (amuses and alarms) that so few have any academic background in social science, but perhaps the “Social Web” has saved many of them from a destiny of ‘back room writing’ for local newspapers.
ps. run a mile if anyone uses the term “maven”…
.-= New from Steve Nimmons: Privacy and Social Networks (on Atos Origin Blog) =-.
Your comment about social science background is equally amusing to me, as I hold a bachelor’s in sociology.
Had missed Erik’s list… a very impressive group. I am very familiar with all but one (thanks for changing that!) Loved your post on on the term “social media expert” and all of the comments. Personally, I think of myself as a social media enthusiast. But hey, it’s nice to think that my experience as a social media enthusiast has taught me something worth passing along
Have a great weekend!
Can I guess the one?
Thanks for the nice reference, Ari. But I think I’d better stick with “social media learner.” To be honest, I don’t think of myself as a “guru.” But other people on this list certainly fit the bill.
I’ve really enjoyed subscribing to your blog. Thank you for the time and care you take with your posts.
Hmm, so you also disagree with Arik’s description of you as a leader?
So you think leaders are people who have stopped learning?
Seriously, I was (and am) flattered by Arik’s description. Guru just makes me feel a bit itchy.
Ari – it’s obviously flattering to be mentioned by anyone, but I don’t consider myself an expert or a guru. Do I know a little bit about the space? Sure. Does that make me a guru or expert? Who knows. As far as I’m concerned, labels are for others to determine. If you’re labeling yourself, then you probably aren’t what you say you are.
.-= New from Chuck Hemann: WPP CEO Shares Advertising Outlook =-.
Hey now, I never called myself an expert. I’m a student. A fan. A teacher. An evangelist. An implementer and integrator.
Focusing on titles gets us nowhere. Let’s focus on results, ROI, innovation and creativity.
That’s what I’m talking about. –G.
Guru makes me think of that awful Mike Meyers(?) movie.
I’m honored to be recognized. I’ve worked hard in the last year to bring myself up to speed on how social networking is impacting communications and PR. I’ve learned a lot, but recognize there are many out there infinitely wiser than I am (and always will be).
I think the experts/gurus/sherpas discussion has been overdone to some extent and I’m in agreement with Chuck and Greg above – labels are for others to decide and ultimately, it’s about results!
.-= New from amymengel: My blogging birthday: Mengel Musings turns one =-.
I agree. Being an A list blogger does not really mean that you can be a leader. What you do can be an inspiration, and for that reason, you should be proud enough.