I co-founded a community called Engagement Marketing Experts. Now I regret the name, especially the ‘expert’ part. But it’s too late.
We are all experts. Being an expert is a matter of thinking, learning and seeing the reality through the hype. Experts exist because many companies THINK they need them. I know many experts and “gurus” myself. Some are really great people that know what they’re talking about. But some are living in a world on their own. Narcissism.
I write this because I just read something on Twitter that drives me mad. I hope it’s a joke but I’m afraid it’s not. It has something to do with certifications for social marketing experts.
Social media are great but narcissism is beginning to invade social media. From ultra-friendly Twitter profiles that talk about nothing but themselves to ridiculous celebrity cults, the world of social media, Twitter particularly, is packed with one-upping, patently sycophantic discussion, and profiles that are simply embarrassing when looked at with any semblance of self awareness.