If you are already in business you understand the basics, you need a product or service that you can sell over and over again. The “Social Media Experts” would lead you to believe that you need them to be successful in business.

You don’t need a expert to create your own Twitter account and get started, or Facebook, or YouTube … they all have different benefits and downsides, but either way you don’t need a expert to get started.

I just read this article, and its just about as honest as you can be about it, its by Peter Shankman and its called ‘Why I Will Never, Ever Hire A “Social Media Expert”‘.

It has a lot of good zingers, and they are so true and yet so many people do not even evaluate their prospective markets or networks. Heres one “If you’re tweeting all your discounts, and none of your customers are on Twitter, then you sir, are an idiot.“.

Like Mr. Shankman says “They’ll build you a fan page, and when all that work doesn’t convert into new sales, they’ll simply say, “Well, we’ll just post more.””.

The truth of it is that most “Social Media Experts” have never operated a business other than being a “Social Media Expert”, and what is Social Media to your business if your expert doesn’t even know how to complete a normal business transaction, or doesn’t even have a clue what ROI is.

Somewhere along the line businesses have forgot how to communicate with customers. A little transparency and communication goes a long way with online customers.

Get out there and talk to your own customer, find out what they are up to and the services and products they desire before you run to hire an “expert”.

In fact hiring someone to handle your social media is a great idea. Someone who can focus on your business everyday, all day. But placing an expensive consultant or expert on the payroll is not needed to succeed.

Still think your totally lost? Looking for some decent help understanding the landscape then be sure to grab a copy of “Social Media Marketing for Dummies“. Do not let the “for dummies” books go unchecked, they are always well written and excellent resources.