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?

[Donica Mensing]

Good questions and conversation. For my two cents...I think in the past expertise was bestowed by authorities and by position. The king, the government, a university, a professional board could ordain expertise. We still have those kinds of experts -- I call lawyers and plumbers and tax accountants when I need an expert in one of those areas. But today, we question authority and generate new professions and potential areas of expertise faster than any authority could keep up. The democratizing power of technology contributes to a new form of expertise: earned rather than bestowed, and demonstrated rather than asserted. "New media" is too young to have developed the trappings of old professions. How liberating! We earn our expertise by doing and talking and experimenting, by writing about what we're learning, by reflecting and sharing. It's not just doing. It's doing + learning from doing + sharing the learning.

[Mike McDowell]

Here's one man's answer (thanks, Wolfy). Reminds me a little of Memo to Ed Adkins.

[Mike McDowell]

Idunno. I need to say that's a crap definition, Wolfy. That's like saying a professional football player is someone who is trying to throw the football around, and wants a team to pick him up. Or saying an expert cyclist is somebody who had a Huffy when they were 10 and are picking up riding again (that example may be more relevant to you).

Shitty analogies aside (referring to mine), I don't think that Terri the secretary or Jim in accounting, who have been assigned to "do new media" and get us a facebook page should be considered experts. I realize that this is a challenging question, because there probably is no such thing as a new media expert due to the shifting learning curve and a curriculum that is impossible to fully master. However, I do think that the new media expert is someone who understands the shift in communication, the technology and programs available, and the STRATEGY behind using these new(er) forms of communication to meet goals.

[Bob Conrad]

Depends on the level of outsourcing the org. is comfortable with, IMO.

[Ryan Jerz]

Did you just call me an expert? That's like an insult to me.

But seriously, are you saying there's no such thing, and the best you can do is hire someone (internal) to handle it all? Or was there a joke I missed?

[Wolfy]

A social media expert is anyone who is trying to get work doing new or social media for a client. That makes us all experts. Except Jerz since he works for the government. Which leads to my belief that the best way to engage in social/new media for your brand is to do it internally, with an expert of your own.

-M

[Mike McDowell]

Was that the "Getspine" guy? I thought he was good, but he focused too much on the toys that are available (and why they're fun) rather than why people should be using them, and the strategy behind it. Big miss for our market. I'd say the large majority of our market still needs to take the 101 course on new media. We're still not taking it seriously (hence the need for a group of... New Media Crusaders!)

RE: Jerz - I hear the frustration on the short path to expertise - but that's the truth of it. Experts in any arena are those that market themselves as such. Of course, with the transparency of social media, you can be exposed rather quickly as a fraud. I share in your frustration. But, with the communication tools at people's disposal, anyone can position themselves as an expert after a half-dozen blog entries : (

[Bob Conrad]

"I know I could get out in front of those frauds, but that's just it."

I went to a PRSA luncheon within the last year or so featuring a 'social media expert.' When all was said and done, I knew of a handful of local people who could have given the same, or a very similar, presentation and would have gladly done it for free. But I guess there's something in hiring an expert from Calif. and spending a chunk of change that isn't quite as satisfying as having one of your colleagues doing it instead. Apparently a similar thing also happened at a recent AMA luncheon, with the result being leaving a bunch of people confused.

[Ryan Jerz]

I take issue with people positioning themselves as experts. To each his own, I guess, but for the most part, it pisses me off. Something I'm passionate about, and know a lot about, is being overtaken by frauds. It sucks. I know I could get out in front of those frauds, but that's just it. I'm not doing that due to other things I find more important. So I have to live with it, but I hate it.

[Mike McDowell]

Touche, salesman.