Why No-One Should Spend $1000 but less than $100

photo by: mikebaird

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The problem: self proclaimed experts of all sorts are running wild. I see these so called “experts” on Twitter, Facebook and other social media sites- now being questioned as it loses those distinctive social aspects, no longer making it social- spreading themselves thin while claiming authority and expertise in niche that’s like a wild beast, impossible to predict and control.

How foolish it is for one person, to say they’ve mastered such an animal? Yeah, I thought so.  Not to mention those that blog, so guess what? you got it, they’re now “blogging experts.” Let’s examine the signposts that help people determine if someone is believed to be an expert or not.

If there’s one thing I’ve learnt from studying theology over the past five years, most real experts and thought leaders aren’t as widely known as those that market themselves as so.

Example 1:

For example, in the coffee industry (Specialty Coffee), some claim coffee gets better with age while others sharply disagree, and will continue to fight the silly idea of coffee being “too fresh.”

What are we to do? Will asking the experts solve the dilemma? Hardly, it depends on what side of the fence you question. How do you know which set of “experts” to believe?

Normally, we validate groups on perceived knowledge and presence in that particular niche/market (i.e, Starbucks must know best because they’re everywhere- they dominate the market), and then success is based on sales, clients, etc.

What I’d like to do in this post, in part, is the following: the numbers can be misleading, learn to see beyond the smoke screens and don’t attribute expert status to those that never claim to be.¹

Example 2:

Back to an area I know far too well. Theological/Biblical topics, authors and among other related topics. Some folks will appeal to perceived faulty indicators of success like being a NY Times best seller, pastoral status, size of congregation or national following. For example, both Joel Osteen and Rick Warren sold a lot of books. Popular writers, when thoroughly critiqued, you discover how far off base (individualistic) their material is when compared to the views believed to be expressed within a larger Christian worldview.

A quick note about myself, last week I was asked if I consider myself to be an expert by someone that’s thoroughly knowledgeable in their field (Coffee Roasting), here’s the question:

“Would you consider yourself an expert on the the theological things we were discussing yesterday?

My reply: “Well, by expert if you mean know it all… No, I’m still learning…” (Expertise, a deep knowledge and understanding of knowing or doing   ___ ) This comes from years of doing, learning, experience, you know a lot about an area than most others and so on. I agree with Skellie at this point.² More on this below.

However, let’s be honest. Just because someone has a book that’s a best seller (or product), that doesn’t mean the actual substance of the content is creditable, accurate, well thought out, or biblically sound within the historical content and message of the text. Often enough, among mainstream popular Christian authors, their works present thoughts, messages and contents which are abiblical: simply not supported nor found in the text, only forced and read into its meaning.

These findings go unnoticed by both authors and intended target audience. The point: popularity isn’t everything, it doesn’t make you an expert. If we’ve learnt anything from the examples, obviously, it shouldn’t. With both example, authority is usually an result of your perceived success, along with the nature of your presence. Sadly, perception is everything. To that I add, nothing is what it seems.

Observations

Not accusations but observations. Given the examples above, the following tends to happen:

• We easily and quickly attribute expertise to a individual and company. “I mean, they do have a big following.” The truth is, there’s just a market waiting to eat up everything dished out like the last time you went for days hours without food. We all know what that’s like, the problem is we’re so hungry we went eat without thinking about what exactly we’re eating. Usually, after being blindly labeled an expert, they can do or say no wrong. They become untouchable.
• If it sells, it must be right. Seriously, who are we kidding? Think about the last best seller you read or blogging product you purchased, that turned out to be a waste of time and money. It may only sell because other “popular” people push it entirely for their own benefit. A pretty covering (personal brand) doesn’t always produce the goods. Be mindful of crafty marketing tactics.
• I know some of these “folk” don’t claim to be experts, but we make them out to be. Again, because other areas seem to fix nicely in this prescribed, lofty perception of success, people confuse it with expertise.

Final Thoughts

There’s plenty of implications here, whether you’re a consumer or producer, I’ll allow you to make the connections. Don’t forget to share in the comment section.

I’m working toward the completion of my Masters degree, until then, I won’t be invited to the higher, scholarly academic discussions, which is okay, in due time. And even then, many of those experts and scholars are off (don’t always get it)  because they’ve stopped learning. In academic theology, much like medicine, keeping up with current research is necessary. This is a lifelong process. I don’t consider myself to be an expert after five plus years of formal, academic education but I know, my Bachelors degree counts for something and so will my Masters. For me, it matters but for others, it will require more. Ever hear the phrase “the proof is in the pudding.”

Where they fail, I will thrive. When you think you’ve arrived, you already lost and yeah, I’ll continue! Education becomes outdated. These are my opinions. Please share yours, as you make the connections for what this might mean for the blogosphere, including those self proclaimed blogging and social media experts? Remember my statement at the beginning of this post?

If there’s one thing I’ve learnt from studying theology over the past five years, most real experts and thought leaders aren’t as widely known as those that market themselves as so.

The Headline

The aim was to capture your attention. Did it work? Don’t give your money to a phony expert promising you a fixed formula for making money via blogging or social media.A couldn’t believe when a blogger I trusted send me a affiliate link for some stupid launch program that cost over $1000! Haven’t returned to his site since.

• Get you hands dirty
• Learn through practice
• Teach yourself
• Develop a plan that works for you
• Challenge yourself
• Spending money won’t solve your problems

Getting Started

One of the best investments you could make today, cost less than $100! Grab yourself a thesis theme and get crackin!

1. See Monica’s post: “What it means to be an Expert, an Authority” [↩]
2. see Why No-One is A Social Media Expert [↩]

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