The point of my post was to call out an obvious problem with the article–a biased opinion, which violates the rule that journalists present as a way to differentiate themselves from bloggers. Had this piece been labeled as OpEd, I likely wouldn't have been motivated to write it.

Thanks for the detailed comment!

I understand what you are talking about with regards to the legion of fans, but is that Gary's fault? Somehow, he has managed to make some sort of connection with those who follow his work–such that they feel like they know him personally. To me, this phenomenon is something to study, to learn from his success.
As for “jumping the shark,” only time will tell. But either way, we'll all have the opportunity to learn from it.

The point of my post was to call out an obvious problem with the article–a biased opinion, which violates the rule that journalists present as a way to differentiate themselves from bloggers. Had this piece been labeled as OpEd, I likely wouldn't have been motivated to write it.

Thanks for the detailed comment!

I understand what you are talking about with regards to the legion of fans, but is that Gary's fault? Somehow, he has managed to make some sort of connection with those who follow his work–such that they feel like they know him personally. To me, this phenomenon is something to study, to learn from his success.
As for “jumping the shark,” only time will tell. But either way, we'll all have the opportunity to learn from it.

I didn't perceive the article as negatively as you did, but rather as more “cautionary.” I think the magazine was essentially saying “don't drink too much Kool Aid” & think that social media can change the world. Business Week may be wrong, as you have convinced me, but the process of change will undoubtedly be messy with many casualties along the way.

I hope to order your book later this week & look forward to reading it. Thanks for all your help.

Take Gary V for example. Dude has tremendous energy and made some great (dare I say brilliant?) moves to grow his business and his personal brand. But now he's cashing in on that celebrity by letting all these no name snake oil salesmen co-brand themselves in their local communities with him.

Anyone that's worth their weight in marketing knows what happens when a brand over leverages itself by co-branding with anyone/anything. The brand gets tarnished. Can you really blame people for wondering if Gary sells snake oil when he allows so many snake oil salesmen to claim him as a colleague and chum?

In my community alone I see 10-15+ people name dropping Gary's brand as a close personal colleague because they're pimping his book and he's doing such a damn good job of making people think he really does give a sheit about them. They post pictures of themselves with him, they carry along their personally signed books, they tell stories about hanging out with Gary and then they spew social media garbage to clients and small conferences all over the community. Based on the way they talk I have to assume that Gary has given his personal seal of approval to these people and yet they have little to no idea what they're talking about. They are full of BS and they're using up every little bit of Gary's real world street cred. He's overexposed and about to the jump the shark if he's not careful.

Best wishes,
EH
http://www.jivefromthehive.com

Mike P

–Tom

Spamming, evangelising and over promising without reality. These things are Snake Oil. Selling an ebook on how to signup to auto follow books for example… That is snake oil.

Usable, actionable steps, and daily content is not snake oil. It's just stomach churning talented, and generates jealousy.