I love it when someone links me to a guide or post that labels it’s self as “The Definitive Guide to XYZ”. It actually makes me laugh a little bit and die inside a bit. There are very few people of whom I respect what they do enough that could publish one of these guides. Even then there are 8 other different ways to accomplish what they’re talking about.
Seriously, there are always other ways to accomplish something and someone telling me their guide is the definitive one just makes me want to shake them. What’s worse is when a client of mine reads one of these guides and then blasts me with an email asking me why I’m not “tweeting from an inflatable pink pool because that’s what worked for the guides author”.
I’m up for change and always exploring new options to help my clients gain the most leverage out of our social media campaigns. I have to be. Anyone in this space has to be constantly on the lookout for new stuff. If you’re not always on the prowl you’ll be left behind. That doesn’t mean always embracing something just because it worked for someone else. Things should be careful scrutinized and decided on whether or not it’d be a good fit for your client. Somethings are, and others aren’t.
I encourage you to read and learn but before you, yourself write that “definitive” guide make sure that 1. you’re a respected leader in your space 2. you couldn’t think of a much more awesome title than something like that.
