Yesterday I was chatting with some good friends in the social media world - @alkeck, @grahamjones, @shaunmeasday and @nigel_morgan. The conversation was centered around two websites pictured below (click to enlarge):
I wrote a blog post recently about cowboys in social media and these two sites look just like 'cowboys' as per the post. I don't know them personally so can't say this for sure - just my opinion - you be the judge and jury.
It seems that there is a business of providing training for people to become social media managers that then provides them with the blueprint to set up a business as one. I say this as there is talk around the social media ether that Nigel Botterill, founder of the Best Of franchises, is providing this service to people for just under £500.
The tell tale signs of this are:
Both these websites are listed in the Nominet Whois directory as Nigel’s websites, under the type of UK Individual.
The blog posts on both sites and all other content is exactly the same, presented as original content.
And more so the websites as you can see from the image above, look identical. Running on wordpress and essentially enabling the individual to re-style the site to give it a little individuality.
The about us page of both sites also say, “we’ve been in social media for a while” - The two twitter accounts have been active for 9 days and 21 days - is this long enough? The accounts themselves look like there is false inflation of their presence also being done. Following lots of people hoping for the follow back. And the 9 day old account has almost 200 followers and less that 80 people they are following back… id this true credibility as a social media manger?
As in a previous post, I said that I think competition in business is healthy. What I think is a little out of order is how people are presenting themselves as experts and managers of a marketing tool that businesses need to be using today, and people will be buying their services and trusting them with their work. Really look at the footprint of your social media ‘expert’ before handing over any cash. Check out the hints and tips of how to ensure that the trainer or expert should be presenting themselves and prove that they can deliver value - Social media training - Delivering value.
In summary, I think that if you are providing a blue-print of how to set up a business, make sure that people that you train will be seen as individuals both to users and also the big Google. If they are all monkeys and duplicates of one another it will be of no benefit to the people who spend £500 with you.
If you are looking for a social media expert check out the footprint and credibility, get testimonials, visit speaking events that they are talking at where you can judge for yourself, then part with your money when you are fully satisfied that they know what they are doing and they will provide real value.
If you want to chat social media marketing with me - call 01793 238697 or email social@toinfinity.co.uk. You can also visit our website and read our Social Media Services page.
As a social media consultant I have worked with small and large companies helping them to deliver a real return on their social media activity. Read some testimonials here on the toinfinity blog and see some dates where you can come and listen to me talk.
Just be careful out there!
PS - On writing this... I have been alerted to two more sites that use the same template, they have the same content and are registered by the same guy... Oh Dear!
Social Media Services Swindon - Social Media Consultancy
