LinkedIN Viral Discussion: “Social Media for Business is Crap” (That’s #$%!@in Funny)

(See 1-7-10 update at at the bottom of the page.)

It has the making of a great social media story. Except the author of the original discussion, now over two months old, did not preach what he practiced. Or that’s what it looks like if you read his LinkedIN bio where Kevin Conway says things like:

“Since that time I have created several successful e-commerce businessed employing cutting edge technologies including shopping carts, payment gateways, SEO, Web Analytics, Social Media marketing, email campaign programs and multiple online marketing strategies.”

And down a little further Kevin lists his specialties.

“Certifications: CNE, MCSE, CCNA, PMP, eMarketing Professional. Ebay Powerseller & Certified Ebay Instructor. Certified Google Advertising Professional, Founder of several e-commerce sites. Internet Marketing Strategy PPC paid search advertising, internet marketing online, Internet marketing Consultant, Internet Marketing Business, Internet Marketing Company,search engine optimization, google ranking, SEO Expert, SEO Consulting, landing page optimization, social media marketing expert”

But if you examine his motto closely you can see the cracks in his logic. Kevin says that he is the “President – Boston eMarketing Solutions – “Helping Organizations Grow by Exploiting their Online Assets.”

“Exploiting” I agree, that is probably his approach. But if you are “President” of an “eMarketing” group how can you then claim that Social Media is CRAP? How is that possible? Unless you are cruising to get some attention and business through a link bait campaign.

Well along about three days ago the post picked up some steam and as of this writing, the post has 1,491 comments on LinkedIN. And contains to some real zingers from both Kevin and other “experts” that swoop in participate in… (what’s it called again?) social media.

This is the comment from Kevin that really caught my eye. Here is Kevin’s response to why he does not put his professional links in his flaming hot posts. I hope you enjoy the discussion.

Isn’t it always the peeps who call themselves “experts” who attack others calling them “experts.” Kevin I have a news bulletin for you, credibility does not dissolve, credibility is built by years of being honest and clear in your actions and intentions.

@jmacofearth
permalink: http://bit.ly/linkedin-flame

1-7-10 Update and final comment on Kevin Conway’s CRAP thread on LinkedIN

While I agree with JulieJ’s sentiment, she is wrong on a couple of things. Kevin was hyping social media just as he is trying to create Link Bait with his headline. (for that he did a good job, if that was his intention.)

The top 10 list of Kevin’s Social Media Experiment Gone Bad

1. Kevin’s “business” is e-marketing. He even lists himself as an SEO “expert” and a Social Media “expert.” #KevinFail1

2. Now if you go to Kevin’s e-marketing website, he’s trying to make a blog out of this thread. Which came first the CRAP and failure of social media or the amazing power of social media and heated discussion to give Kevin the illusion that he is a thought leader in this space. #KevinFail3

3. And when intelligent people respond to the content of Kevin’s writing, both in his initial post, his follow ups and his fascinating blog, he resorts to calling them names, and “experts” and attacking them personally. #KevinFail3

4. Kevin’s vision of social media to “exploit the online assets” of his customers rings true to HIS vision of what this “social media” thing is. It’s not working for Kevin, thus, case studies to the contrary, “Social Media for Business is Crap.” #KevinFail4

5. The failure in Kevin’s repeated statements is “his experience shows that social media has NOT earned KEVIN a dime in conversions or customers.” But if you look at Kevin’s sites, I think you might get a better clue as to why he’s not doing so well in Social Media for Business. #KevinFail5

6. Exploiting is an accurate word for what Kevin is doing here. Baiting the discussion, pestering the people trying to have an intelligent decision and then trying to launch a Joe-the-Plumber-like blog based on the success of this “social media” discussion that won’t earn Kevin a dime unless he does something. #KevinFail6

7. As this discussion grinds on, well intentioned conversationalists, or “participants in social media on linkedIN,” come to this discussion to try and learn something about what people are arguing about. And time after time Kevin posts the same response… “his experience” … “his expertise” … “what he knows about” … and in the same screen he is advertising himself as someone who “exploits online assets.” BRILLIANT. #KevinFail7

8. People are pinging me “privately” asking what Kevin’s problem is. And when Kevin is asked publicly on the thread if he DELETED any comments, he admantly denies having “the power” to make any changes to the conversation. But when I see a line in the thread that said — this post was deleted — I’m wondering if Kevin is being honest. Trust is the number 1 commodity in social media and doing business online. Trust DOES NOT equal “exploiting online assets.” That’s what Kevin is trying to do here. It’s not working. #KevinFail8

9. Expect Kevin to either ignore this post and pester other new arrivals. #KevinFail9.

10. Despite Kevin’s questionable “leadership” or “well thought out discussion points in his initial post,” this is merely a grandstand for Kevin to try and make some money off social media. FINALLY. I can hear (or imagine I hear) his $money$ mind working on the exploitation of this gold mine of… Well, what exactly is the gold mine, the opportunity, here? I believe it is honest and clear intentions and expression of ideas. #KevinFail10.

While I continue to enjoy seeing the emails of this thread pop up in my personal email box, I can no longer pay so much attention to Kevin’s rants. I was hoping to learn something from him. What I am learning is that people are the same all over. Those of us trying to engage and dialogue about business and social media are often overrun by those trying to squeeze (see “exploit”) a quick buck out of the hyped-opportunity of the moment. #BonusFail1.

I hope the discussion rages on. I hope Kevin “gets” 5,000 comments and launches his “CRAP” blog. (I can’t even imagine listing my intentional work as CRAP, but that’s not me.)

(I would guess that Kevin will never make it to this blog to see this post. I guess that’s fine. No need to exploit my digital assets. Comments are OPEN if you do arrive KEVIN.) TAG SPAM: Kevin Conway, social media for business is crap, kevin Conway on linked in, viral linkedin discussion (I’m trying to help Kevin Conway find this post!)