We all use Twitter to learn, but most Twitter advice points users to follow the best and brightest in a particular industry. Effective advice, sure, but don’t we also learn from what not to do just as much as the opposing alternative (see #fail)?
We shouldn’t treat Twitter as any different. Just like anyone else, I want to discover new or different trends and outlets from those I follow, and I’m guessing most want the same in return. We all get the give and take, the foundation of efficient Twitter use.
But I have to admit, I’m guilty of following people just to take.
I’m no Twitter expert (are there really any, given Twitter’s stark simplicity?), but the established taboos provide a litmus test for qualifying follow backs. Not RT’ing anything good or at all? Constant self-promotion? No follow backs for you.
But here’s the thing– the people who often come across as promotional or make a habit of Twittering the mundane details of life seem to be the ones claiming some kind of social media expertise or experience.
While I don’t like these tweeps, I can’t stop following them. I look forward to the next tweet telling us social media’s all about sharing ideas, then seeing six songs from Blip in a row.
Am I a social media expert? No, I’m not even sure what being an expert entails. I’m unsure why social media people only get to add ‘expert’ to their title, when the rest of the professional world uses real, established and recognized titles like manager or director. Expert is self-proclaimed, unsupported and unsubstantiated.
Adam Singer at thefuturebuzz.com said it best, “You don’t need a social media expert, you need a good marketer.”
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