I’ll preface this with a language warning, should you follow the link. Sometimes strong language makes a point.
I am compelled to share a great post with you.
Jeremy Pepper has, once again, said what needs to be said. Oh, he may say it in a form that some find distasteful, but don’t many social critics do that?
Check his post. I initially commented, and want to share this follow up.
A comment came in from Shannon Paul. Her comment is a perfect example of local PR. “I spent half my day today working on putting press materials together for a local nonprofit organization that offers refuge for women and families that are victims of domestic violence and sexual abuse.”
For the uneducated (and there seem to be a lot of them), the vast majority of PR is done locally. The vast majority of PR is done in areas and markets where online communication just won’t cut it. Most of these social media self-proclaimed gurus are so myopic in their focus, yet feel compelled to project their beliefs about online PR to the entire practice.
Using Shannon’s example, try doing that kind of work – or any other for local nonprofits, organizations, schools, businesses – and solely use online communication. In the vast majority of instances … You’d be negligent. You’d fail at due diligence. You’ll do your clients no favors.
It is the sheepish sycophants calling themselves gurus and such nonsense (primarily in the tech world) that wouldn’t know real PR if it was staring them in the face. They spend more time fawning over their blogroll circle-jerk friends than they do offering anything of value to the community.
I’m really sick of it. Evangelists for themselves. They make Elmer Gantry look like a good guy. If many of these social media gurus are true believers in anything, it is themselves.
In so many instances, if you meet or read someone that self-proclaims they are experts or gurus in social media … run! Run, fast … the other way! Be afraid. They serve only one master. Themselves.
Sigh.
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