1. What IS an expert, what makes these people experts? Thought leadership, most SM campaigns under their belt?
2. Is being one a good or bad thing?

http://blendingthemix.com/2008/09/17/you-just-cannot-shoe-horn-metrics-i...

Hi Paul.

Firstly, this is what Google tells us, which to be frank has nothing to do with the truth in many cases, so just because a post/page is ranking high for social media expert it should be taken with a large pinch of salt.

Secondly, many people I know who are very skilled at using immersive media and consulting around solutions for companies to use two-way communications are in fact off the Google rader, they simply do not feel the need to be the popular celebrity (I may possibly fall into that category).

Personality and popularity has absolutely zero relatedness to consulting on appropriate tools for a company to adopt, and actions to take, in my opinion.

I wrote about brand vs personality over on the social media mafia site as it happens. Have a look.

It's good we are having a discussion though eh, that is priceless in most areas.

I totally agree with you on the web celebrity aspect of "expertism" - some of the most intelligent people just don't see the need to write down their thoughts on a daily basis. I don't think that make them any less intelligent.

Then again, there is an element of needing to participate in order to fully understand the "inner" workings of social media tools (in short, to understand the do's and dont's).

But, all said and done, my ego/reputation compels me to make sure I am seen doing the cool things. When people search for me after an initial meeting or after an event I have been speaking at, people need to be re-assured that even if they didn't fully understand what may have been discussed, my personal branding (i.e. twitter presence, facebook activity, blog and other activities) show that I DO know what I am talking about.

I think you make an incredibly astute point that some people get carried away with social media for social media's sake - and have their ego drive their motivations rather than using the platforms as a way to demonstrate their knowledge.

We need to speak anyway...have been thinking about an event similar to what you put on last year...

Just tracking links to my old blog (the silkcharm link). :)
But I"ll answer you question, albeit a little late:
I have 20 years experience in social networks. In the late '80s I was a virtual community consultant running IRC chat channels as a #op and #admin and also an admin on Usenet newsgroups. I was part of a group that rolled out AARNET backbone in Australia (similar to Darpanet), setting the groundwork for the internet in early 90s and web in mid 90s.
I ran communities for those twenty years, including virtual worlds (as a game moderator, customer service and marketing roles) and online forums - including the largest ones in the world, the official forums for Everquest and Ultima Online. I ran events and campaigns through those - now called online communities - and managed News Editors (citizen journalists and editors). Today they would be called bloggers and user generated content sites. It probably will surprise you to know that SAAB back in the 80's ran social media campaigns thru communities such as Compuserve and AOL...?
In around 2004 I focussed my blog on how to build and run online communities, and 05 saw me working on Australian Idol, Big Brother and so for Australian Channel Ten. Since then I've run workshops for thousands of budding social media experts, including Scorched.Tv which went on to win an Emmy for social media (Interactive Emmy) and I went to Saudi Arabia to run workshops for MBC TV teaching Arabic women how to blog as part of the "I Matter" womens online community.
I don't call myself an expert, my title (today) is social network strategist. But I don't have a problem with others calling me an expert, if they want.
Cheers. Laurel @SilkCharm