SocialMedia404

At the end of every month, my business partner and I do a reality check - an informal SWOT-type of self-evaluation.

The past few months, we’ve been shaking our heads at the high growth in people clamouring to this space to offer services.  Originally, we classified this growth as a Threat.  But we’re moving it to the Opportunity column.

Why?  Teenage sex.

Anyone who is watching the Social Media space has seen this same growth.  A quick Twellow search of Twitter profiles reveals (in no particular order) 1,845 gurus, 900 ninjas, 2,513 experts, 207 wizards, 48 whiz’s, and 50 thought leaders (my personal fave).  Have some fun, and try a few yourself.

My business partner likens this to teenage sex:  everyone says they are doing it, but very few really are.  And of those that are, even fewer are doing it well.

Here’s the bio of a recent follower on Twitter:

Huh?  Sorry, I’m struggling to connect those dots.

To help buyers evaluate these resources, a number of blog posts are springing up:

• 25 Signs You’ve Got a Strong SM Consultant or Agency (plus 18 more signs in the comments)
• 17 Signs You’ve Got a Strong Social Media Consultant or Agency (mostly copied from above)
• 8 Questions to Ask Your “Social Media Expert”
• The One Question For Your Social Media Consultant

Preparing for our next SWOT call, I tested Social Media 404 against these criteria.  We passed every one.  That’s not boasting; that’s what Jeremiah Owyang calls “looking in the mirror…with a lump in my throat, and it’s a constant reminder that if I’m going to give advice it’s important that I back it up with fact, data, insight, for business people to make business decisions.”

Amen.

Why is this an Opportunity?  Reason 70: we’re getting results for new and repeat clients.  Let the reckoning begin.