Enough with the snake oil posts
These posts trouble me.
Why? Because social media is not an exact science. Have you read any peer-edited journals on the subject, lately? I haven’t. What I have read, though, are books, blog posts and white papers that make pretty compelling arguments. But I don’t take them for gospel and neither should you. After all, you have a brain – right? No one has a monopoly on ideas.
It bothers me that there has to be a certain method. It bothers me that there are prerequisites being thrown out there. ”Well, if so and so isn’t doing this, they’re probably not the real deal.” Spend less time talking about your competition and more time making your work better. I have to applaud GM for doing this – their “May The Best Car Win” campaign is great. They’re saying, “Hey, we think we have a pretty good car, here. So try ours, try our competition’s and may the best car win.” That is confidence.
I will credit Advertising Age with producing the only true “snake oil” post worth its salt. They don’t create a ridiculous list to celebrate themselves and disqualify everyone else. In a nutshell, they say use common sense.
I won’t bag on those who are doing what I do. I like you people. I won’t claim to be a know-it-all because that’s impossible. But I’m always learning and always trying to get better. Call me crazy, but I think karma is a real thing – I’d rather help you than tear you down.
I wish everyone else shared that philosophy. :)