As Monsignor Cecil used to say: Oh, my sweet, suffering Jesus… And in echoing that exhortation, I am doing something none of these “experts” can do in return: Giving them a link from a PR5 weblog.
I would eviscerate the writing style on the web site, but it’s too painful to look at. Okay, just a taste, but you asked for it:
The designation course is the first of its type with relevant content-rich material and cutting edge techniques utilized by these Social Media pioneers.
They left out all the relevant content-poor material, along with the stuff that was content-rich but irrelevant, thus to leave more time for utilizing cutting edge techniques.
Evidently commas are not on the cutting edge, but they wouldn’t help, anyway. As we have discussed before, “Neither can his Mind be thought to be in Tune, whose words do jarre; nor his reason in frame, whose sentence is preposterous.” People who write badly think badly. You permit them to enter your mind at your own risk.
I don’t mind these self-made mediocrities — all of them, not just this crew — chasing people away from here. It works to our benefit: We end up talking only to people who can keep up with us, a boon for everyone. But I can only foresee two futures for a stunt like this:
First, they will milk the punters with a second-rate curriculum. This by itself is hardly rare.
And, second, they will sell this lipstick-slathered pig to the NAR, where it will ossify — which is not to imply that it is, even at present, timely or relevant — or worthwhile. Given some of the people involved — and the recommendation to buy a Kindle! — I would expect the opposite.
But disappointing people don’t disappoint us — when we have our minds properly inverted. Consider this, from the “Affiliate Links” section:
In some cases, we have also negotiated a “commission” to SMMI as well.
Yours is not to ponder oughts, yours is to be sold and bought.
Drop me a line when you get sick of being the entree at the Feast of the Vendorsluts.
ryan hartman says:
Mmm, I’ve and idea — but let’s keep this light and fun: I challenge the venerable SSMI creator Bill Lublin (C21 Advantage Gold) to a Philly Area Social Media Duel. In one corner… Bill’s company blog, C21AgVoices.Com. In the other corner… “RE/MAX Affiliates NE’s” newly created Philadwellphia.Com.
In the C21AGVoices.Com corner (contributing advice but no content), the AG crowd and a bunch of SSMI Designees…in the Philadwellphia.Com corner, (contributing advice but no content) a pack of punchy rowdy Bloodhounds!
The prize for the blog that generates the most company agent involvement and therefore the most raw traffic by years end? “The Usual Amount”, Randolph and a whole lotta juicy, open source social media marketing expertise for the audience to enjoy, FREE of charge.
Seriously, and with honest respect Mr. Lublin, you game?
Anyone out there wanna moderate by providing us with some google analytics snippets to install?
March 3, 2009 — 12:28 pm
Mark Madsen says:
“a pack of punchy rowdy Bloodhounds!”
I just want to punch something, but I’ll settle to just being rowdy. Who’s corner can I be in?
March 3, 2009 — 12:53 pm
Genuine Chirs Johnson says:
Hey, shouldn’t we have a minimum closed transaction standard for this? Like Huds and checks proving that you’ve closed a minimum of 30 deals before you’re an expert?
I earned mine in 2006. I know that there are some on that list that have not closed 30 deals from compbined sources yet.
That’s the standard…that counts. Not how many people linked to your 30 tips on being a real estate mogul.
March 3, 2009 — 1:35 pm
Nick Bostic says:
I just want to know why all of these real estate people are moving into “social media training/consulting”?
March 3, 2009 — 2:39 pm
Genuine Chirs Johnson says:
I just counted. Since genuinechris.livejournal.com in 2001, over 100 first + second generration referrals. According to the Austin MLS, well…never mind. Something aobut the emperor’s clothing.
March 3, 2009 — 3:19 pm
Dean Ouellette says:
Greg, I enjoy reading your blog but trying to figure you out still… when is the last time you had anything good to say about anyone
March 3, 2009 — 3:48 pm
Greg Swann says:
> when is the last time you had anything good to say about anyone
So you know, I see this as being astoundingly rude. You have shown up as a guest in my home with the sole objective of spitting on my carpet. You made the exact same comment on BloodhoundRealty.com, but that one got caught in moderation. As ridiculous as this idea is, I think you must be trying to lord your superior morality over me by behaving atrociously. Am I misinterpreting you? In any case, if I should ever discover that I have a need to criticize you, you have my word that I will do it on my own property and not as an abuse of your hospitality.
March 3, 2009 — 4:14 pm
Brandie Young says:
Greg,
I think you got it wrong on this post. Best practices in blogging and/or journalism would have one gathering facts along with supporting data prior to drawing a critical conclusion. Sharing an unsubstantiated, subjective opinion with readers is not only irresponsible, but unfair to all involved.
You seem to cast absolute judgment and draw conclusions without the benefit of knowing (read: empirically understanding) the entire story. Very reckless. I assume as much since you offer no quotes from folks involved with SMMI, nor any samples of the curriculum or content to support your opinion.
IMO, you really overstepped boundaries on this one. And, for what it’s worth, it reads as though it was written with mal intent.
Perhaps your readers would be better served if you critiqued the business, courses and curriculum once it is underway, and include feedback from clients.
Cheers.
Brandie
March 3, 2009 — 4:53 pm
Greg Swann says:
Oh, good grief. I refuse to spank two pretentious busybodies back-to-back. So here’s what let’s do instead: Dock my paycheck. That’ll teach me.
I will be gratified and amazed if you should come back and tell me so, once you’ve figured out that I’m right about this nonsense.
March 3, 2009 — 5:08 pm
Dean Ouellette says:
Greg the other post was a mistake, had 2 windows open at same time… all i am saying is this blog often has good information, a little positive talk about someone now and then wouldnt hurt would it?
March 3, 2009 — 5:24 pm
Greg Swann says:
> a little positive talk about someone now and then wouldnt hurt would it?
This is all just monkeytalk to me. I don’t speak for anyone else who writes here, but if I say something, it’s because I think that is exactly what needs to be said. I am very careful in how I put things, making even the smallest choices with deliberation and care. I am free and very often exuberant in my praise for genuinely good work, good products and, especially, good behavior. And, with equal equanimity, I am unstinting in my criticism of poor efforts, lousy products and sleazy, slimy, creepy, crappy behavior. I believe this is how the human mind should be used.
If you go looking for them, you won’t have to go very far to find people who will tell you tender, loving lies — any flavor you like — particularly if you’re willing to reciprocate. I will never lie to you, for you or about you, nor to, for or about anyone else. I gather from all the griping I hear that I am not to everyone’s taste, but, lucky me, there is only one person in the universe I have to satisfy: Me. If my doing that leaves you unfulfilled, what can I say but, “Dang!”
My mind is not your business. What I choose to write about and how I choose to write is not your business. If you think the world is short of happy-babble, emit some — on your own weblog. Meanwhile, I’m going to keep my own counsel.
March 3, 2009 — 5:54 pm
James Boyer says:
I think I would take Greg’s word for it on this one. Looked at the Social Media Marketing Institute web-page and I have to say, don’t think they will be teaching anything I would find worth paying for.
March 3, 2009 — 5:33 pm
Bunny Carringham says:
I think Gregg Swan and everyone else is being very unfair in this debate.
First, the people behind The Social Media Marketing Institute understand social media like teenage girls understand telephones! So there!
Second, there is nothing wrong with this sentence:
You just have to tuck the commas in where they belong:
Then you remove the parenthetical remark, just like Mrs. Albertson taught you in the seventh grade:
And it all makes perfect sense!
Third, there is absolutely nothing wrong with very nice people taking… consulting fees for the very hard work they do. I do this all the time for my clients, and, even when they find out about it, they hardly ever object. Some people are just too fussy for their own good!
I think Certified Social Media Marketer sounds like a wonderful designation. I plan to buy one for myself, once my license is reinstated.
Remember: Like teenage girls understand telephones! Top that, nerds!
March 3, 2009 — 6:18 pm
Brandie Young says:
“Pretentious busybodies”. Interesting. Thought the point of blog comments was to get candid feedback, even if you disagree? Not so here, Gary?
I’m in. If the DATA PROVES this program is all you say it isn’t, I will happily return and tell you you are correct, assuming you will do the same if the reverse proves true.
However – my point was NOT about the program or SMMI, it was that you came to a conclusion based on your opion, and without facts.
March 3, 2009 — 7:09 pm
Greg Swann says:
> Not so here, Gary?
Wow. Very impressive.
March 3, 2009 — 7:33 pm
Barry Cunningham says:
Hey Greg..don’t know who the cowardly interloper is who tries to mimic my name…but I’m with you 100% on this one! This whole SMMI thing is a complete joke!
March 3, 2009 — 8:15 pm