There is something happening online that really bothers me. People are calling themselves experts, mavens, and gurus. With no real experience or case studies to back up their claims. This is not new – I noticed it was rampant a few years ago when I began participating online. But last night I was reading a list of the top 25 women who both tweet and blog and, in the comments, more than one person said, “Why didn’t you include me?” But, most weren’t that nice.
Imagine walking into a networking event and exclaiming, “I’m the smartest person in the room!” How many people would line up and wait for hours to get to talk with you? Imagine going to a conference and, in front, of all of the attendees, from the back of the room, standing up and asking, “Why wasn’t I included on this panel?” How many times would you be invited to speak?
Isn’t it better for someone else to tell people you’re a guru, an expert, or a maven? Isn’t it better for someone else to say you’re the smartest person in the room? Isn’t it better for someone else to recommend you for a speaking opportunity?
In the case of lists, they’re so subjective and dependent on the relationship you have with the person that wrote it. Sure, you might have been missed, but it’s likely your friends will tell that blogger or journalist you were missed. Why do you have to ask? Instead, comment on the blog, read more posts, comment on those, compliment the blogger or journalist. Develop a, gasp!, relationship. My guess is, without having to say anything, you’ll be included on the next list.
If you’re good as you think you are, they will. If they don’t, perhaps you should examine your engagement, your relationships, your content, and the way you behave, both online and off. As my friend Lisa Gerber says, “No one likes Type OO.” Output Only.