10 ways to spot a social media fraud

Social media is still relatively new, and there are still millions of people who do not understand how they can use it for their business.

Unfortunately this creates a situation where any Tom, Dick or Harry can pose as a social media expert, and therefore take advantage of hoards of people, and in particular small businesses. We all know at least one or two or ten of these guys, but how can someone who knows nothing about social media spot the difference between someone who knows their stuff, and someone who’s all fluff?

Here are my top ten tips for spotting a social media phoney.

1. They call themselves a guru/superstar/coach/rockstar/ninja/expert

2. They don’t actually have any social media experience working for an organisation (agency or client-side) outside of their own “consultancy”.

3. They have written a social media e-book. Or worse, an actual paper book.

4. They run webinars or events with titles like “30 Days to Social Media Success” or “The 10 Steps to Creating a Kickass Social Media Strategy”.

5. They believe social media is just Facebook and Twitter.

6. #They #Use #Too #Many #Hashtags

7. They recommend you #FollowFriday as a social media strategy.

8.  They ask if you are on Foursquare.

9. They never attend any industry events where actual social media professionals are at. Instead they entirely focus on networking with people who are mystified by social media & will eat up their every word.

10. They talk about “social media” in inverted commas.

Have you come across a social media fraud before? Help others avoid them by leaving your how-to-spot tips in the comments!

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