Being new and only recently exposed to social media marketing, the web 2.0 outbreak, and the power of people on the internet, I find myself easily influenced by the words and information handed down to me by the social Gods. Telling me how to act and what to contribute, it seems that from their perspectives anyone can become one of the socially-famed. My title as Social Media Specialist was given to me the day that I finished writing my last SEO content article and opened a Digg account, but I hardly think that I really earned the title as a Specialist at day one. At that point I would have been happy with Social Media Hopeful or Social Media Contributor. My quest to earn my title led me to The Best Practices In Social Media Marketing Writing Project, in which Mitch Joel asked for opinions on what people thought the best practices of social media were. As I continue to build my credibility of a Specialist, and in my efforts for what it’s worth, I wish to contribute what I think is the best practice in social media marketing.

In some aspects, I sometimes still consider myself a social media apprentice, as we all sometimes are in the constantly changing social media world, but it doesn’t hold me back from adding to the already influential list of practices that have come from most of the big dogs themselves. As any young and naïve social mediaist will say; I add selfishness to the list.

It is important to think about yourself and the image that you are presenting to those you connect with. When dealing with social media, in any level of the term, it is important that you stick to your guns and, like any mother will tell you, be true to yourself. This means that you contribute to the social media world what you think is worthy, what you find interesting. This holds especially true for those social media specialists, like I was myself, that are just getting their feet wet in the grand scheme of things and still take the comments on Digg seriously or to heart. Thinking of yourself, your own likes and interests, will prove to be more successful in the long run than if you were to play the desperate card and cater to anyone and everyone’s needs. If you stick to those stories and topics that interest you, it is not only easier to reflect your “profile personality” and transparency to others, but you are also able to connect to people on a common ground. When delving into social media making sure that you think of #1, it will be harder for people to expose your real underbelly and you will always be respected. Not only that, but you will eventually gain that “specialist” title and literally be considered one when people think of social media.

Throughout other blogs that have been written on this topic, there seems to be a consensus that reaching out to others (Morriss Partee) and catering to other peoples’ interests by lifting up to others (Drew McLellan) are the best practices in social media. Mitch Joel also adds in the element of maintaining consistency throughout different networks. While consistency is in fact a great practice, it won’t be effective for those that have already established themselves under several alias profiles; it is difficult to maintain that type of consistency when it comes to recognition. And while these other practices of selflessness will help someone gain loyalty and karma within their wealth of fans, in the end if you aren’t looking out for yourself, no one will know where and when to follow your words of expertise. And at the end of the day, if you haven’t thought about yourself, well, then you aren’t marketing your social media specialist skills.

Written by Erin Cartaya, Social Media Specialist and Consultant for eVisibility. Watch for more of Erin’s attempts at becoming the actual owner of the Specialist title.