What Makes Somebody an Expert?

[Mike McDowell]

So, what makes somebody an "expert" in new/social media? What are the qualifications? I know that we have all been to conferences and workshops, read articles, etc on the topic and thought to ourselves - what makes this jerk an expert? He doesn't seem to know what he's talking about... I know WAY more than him! (You're probably thinking that as you read this blog).

So, what says you? I consider this group to be the core (in our area) that seems to understand the what, the why and the how of new media. I know there are probably several others that you know, please invite them to participate in this think tank. With the recent forming of the Nevada New Media group (http://www.nevadanewmedia.org), I am forced to ask the question...

What makes somebody an expert in new media?

[Bob Conrad]

Technically, expert status is determined/confirmed in a legal setting. Watching this occur at a water hearing, one expert had to be determined an expert after testimony of relative qualifications, among them near completion of his M.S. degree. Not sure how it would be handled as to work experience versus educational qualifications.

But that doesn't stop anyone from claiming to be an "expert." I do it.

[Mike McDowell]

So, IS there such a thing as a "new media expert?" I guess not - just us posers. There are clearly not very many opportunities in higher education to get a masters on the topic. And even then - is that person more of an expert than somebody who doesn't have the education but simply LIVES in the new/social media world?

[Bob Conrad]

I think the point is that in front of a legal mediator (judge), an attorney could argue the case if he/she didn't agree about certain levels of experience/education.

But back on point: The Nevada New Media org. claims to want to foster Nevada New Media, but there's not a word on its site about new media efforts in Nevada. The blogroll is all non-local, to the best that I can determine.

I have high hopes for this effort. At the same time these kinds of things need solid thinking, follow-through, momentum and consistency to flourish.

[Larry D]

One word - results. So many claims, so little results. If you can't show what your expertise produces, then I'd have to question your expertise. So many claims - so few results. The field is too new for real study development - but ripe with examples of success and failure. I'm curious to see how long it takes the "traditional" agencies before they recognize new media as a viable channel. Producing content and response isn't as easy as producing ads - but it takes more finesse in today's economy to get results from either. As of yet, I'm not seeing much of that on a local level. Let's raise the bar, and get some awareness to the subject. (jumping down off my soapbox now...)

[Mike McDowell]

OK - who's kicking ass locally? Good examples? We've got a bunch of groups in this area who want to try but are scared, have tried and aren't dedicated enough to rock it, or are trying with mixed success. Do we have a local (NorNev area, since our group is limited to this area for now) group who is really getting it and rocking it?

[Bob Conrad]

I wouldn't say we (Nev. Dept. of Conservation) are 'kicking ass,' (though we did just win a PRSA award) but out of necessity -- $$$ --- just about all of our communications efforts are online (Twitter, Flickr, Youtube, Wordpress, etc.) and social in nature. Our metrics bear out tangible results, as in behavioral change.

Nevada Tourism is doing much the same.

[Mike McDowell]

Bob - what kind of behavioral change are you experiencing?

[Bob Conrad]

More interaction among employees wanting to stay informed, advisory board now 100% keyed into our online communications (subscribed), videos embedded/shared, etc.

[Ryan Jerz]

Here's the thing about this new media business. There are no longer actual experts. Nobody can tell me so and so is an expert in his or her field. If they want to make that claim, let me see why. But with the ability to get out in front of people without the same barriers that existed before, we're all experts and no one is truly an expert then.

Without a doubt, some people my be better suited as experts, but the meaning of the word is completely diluted. For instance, I have no PR training, but I might take Bob to school on how to handle an issue here or there. He'd certainly be the traditional "expert," but that doesn't mean he's positioned to handle any single task better than countless others who have no idea what he does.

In my opinion, as someone who works in social media and holds a masters degree in interactive media, I think anyone telling anyone else they are an expert in any field, much less this field, where nobody can even define themselves thoroughly, is a sham. I bust ass every day figuring this stuff out and doing real work in it, but I still can't keep up and would only be guessing if you asked me what's next.

[Mike McDowell]

The definition of expertise is quickly changing! And, appropriately enough, social media is a large driver of that. Because you can reach the globe with a blog you post from your couch at home, you can be an expert. I think it is about being present, being consistent, getting a following and keeping that following believing that you know what you're talking about.

How many people are getting interviewed, booked to speak, writing books, etc because they run a popular blog? Are they all experts on these topics? Probably not. There's probably 100 people that know more than them. But, are they reaching people? This is personal branding/marketing at its best. If you want to BE an expert, position yourself as one, and with enough work, you might just do it.

This also opens the can of worms about the eventual tipping point of "experts" that will soon exist in social media. With citizen journalists and professional bloggers with no journalistic nor professional background in the topics they're writing on, growing more and more each day - where will it stop? How will we decide who the reliable experts are? Will we turn to corporations and mainstream news media again to be the reliable source? Frightening!

OK - didn't mean to open that can of worms - but the fun thing about new media is the scary thing about new media. Predict the future.