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This is just like in 2004/2005 when there were rapidly multiplying SEO experts. Snake Oil salesmen I call them and yes, run in the other direction from experts.

I just made this comment to myself few days ago! Especially for Twitter!

To be a social media guru all you need is a Facebook and twitter profile with a ton of friends and bot followers right? I love calling them out and asking for examples of their results.

I like to say we are SocialMediologists! Social-friendly gathering, Media-form of communication, ology-field of study

to expand I meant we are all learning from eachother. There is no one-size-fits-all answer for anyone. Social Media is unique to the individual user :) xox

Yeah, I think it's been the same for about a year, there's too many gurus, it must be easy to be a guru!

Now what to aspire to??? :-) Yikes, I knew the fire hose was on full blast, but didn't realize the force...It's all a bit much, but out of the blast comes useful lessons, not always about tools...

wew...

Hey now... I'm one of those rabbits! But I do it as a side business. And, there are a lot of retail businesses that need our help. Not everyone digs social media, but they can use it.

I agree that the word guru is overplayed and it always raises an eyebrow when someone declares themselves to be an expert or guru. But, when you make a list of such people and even title it "multiplying like rabbits", I find that very condescending. Doesn't matter how much expertise you've gathered in the field already, or that you are recognized as an industry expert, but it doesn't really give you any right to imply that all these 400 something people are nothing more than somebody who just sits behind a computer and do some stuff on twitter.

Sure, you might not mean it, but surely one of those people at least have real knowledge- just really bad marketing skills and maybe an inflated ego.

And hey, some people like calling themselves a ninja, you know?

I'm so agreeing with this! In my head the title has been meaningless already for some time.

What will all these experts be doing when it's all integrated with life and business?

I see a bubble forming...

True professionals recognize that social media is only one part of a solid overal marketing plan. These self proclaimed "gooroos" want to sell you on the false notion that all you need to do is buy their ebook and become an expert yourself...

There are a few good sharp needles who can get the job done in the massive pile of dried out hay. THe important thing is to be smart and savvy and ask plenty of questions before you engage someone to do your social media work for you.

And if they are trying to sell you that pdf or ebook on becoming an expert yourself, think twice. Can an amateur become an effective and respected accountant be reading a PDF? No. Is it reasonable to think that an amateur can become an effective and respected social media expert by reading a PDF? Ultimately, that is for you to decide. Decide carefully.

When I first began dealing with social media I often called myself a Social Media Guru because I felt I knew way more than the majority of people that live where I do. I then began to understand what I really thought of myself was not a guru, but more like a Social Media Enthusiast

Not because I was a genius at it, but because I actually cared enough about it to try to understand and use it on a regular basis.

I believe the majority of these users are more social media enthusiasts, and simply haven't realized the correct way to title themselves.

I've used the word guru before, but I agree with an earlier comment that many don't know how to correctly title themselves. I study Information & Communication Technologies with an emphasis in new media. I would hate to have someone label me as a snake oil salesman! It's a new frontier with a new set of tools. I'm sure issues such as titles and accredidation will work themselves out in the future.
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I think that what people are missing is that one isn't supposed to call *oneself* a 'guru'. *Other* people call you that, once you've proven your worth to them. If you have to do it yourself, you're probably not a guru at all. I prefer the word 'enthusiast', personally. For one thing, it's a term that speaks more of the value of the subject matter, and less about the ego behind the person attaching themselves to it.

"one isn't supposed to call *oneself* a 'guru'. *Other* people call you that, once you've proven your worth to them." -- Clippernolan

'Nuff said!

I really don't find a reason why they call themselves GURU. If they are really, they will be known by everyone, so need to apply this with their profile.

A guru should be labelled by others, not by oneself

I describe myself as a "guru intern" :D

Nice post!

In order to be a "guru" or expert at anything, the standard tenure is 10 years experience.

Social Media Gurus -- Ha! :) ...what a joke!

I even wrote my take on the issue here...

http://www.thevisibledentist.com/blog/can-twitter-facebook-help-dentists-get-patients/

Check it out when you have time.

John Barremore
Houston, TX