Social Media Is Redefining Legitimacy

There always seems to be some sort of discussion about Twitter, Facebook, Blogs and Social Media in general creating Illegitimate Experts, Gurus, Leaders, Authors etc.   Illegitimate is defined as- not in accordance with the principles of valid inference. By this definition social media may be creating illegitimate experts.  The beauty of the Internet and online community is the fact a person does not have to be “in accordance with a valid inference” to be successful.

In the world of Social Media you are allowed to create entirely new principles and define legitimacy in entirely new ways.  Social Media has leveled the playing field.  The great thing about Social Media, is the fact that no one is forced to follow or listen to anyone online, it’s a game of personal choice.

In the online world each individual is responsible for creating their own validation (whatever that means).  My personal opinion is this, “If a person has an audience, voice, knowledge, experience, personality, talent, information, the ability to influence and people are listening, They have been legitimized.”  If the above things are happening to John Q. Blogger and Suzy Q. Twitterer, then their “Tribe” (Group of followers as referred to by Seth Godin) has already confirmed their legitimacy.

There have been some very real, legitimate and successful businesses, leaders and authors that have risen out of the ranks of Social Media.  If people buy into what you are selling, it’s only a matter of time before some degree of success and influence happens. For those individuals seeking to obtain influence in the world of social media it’s important to understand that social media influence is not given, it’s earned one post, tweet or update at a time.

The traditional would-be experts are no longer the source of legitimization.  The market, the consumers, followers and the online community can dictate whether or not a person is the “Real Deal.”  It doesn’t matter what I think or what you think, the only thing that matters is what “The Tribe” thinks.  Social Media Is Redefining Legitimacy.

Let’s take a look at a product that was released in late 2008/early 2009, that in my opinion was definitely not legitimate.  The product, I’m referring to is “The Snuggie.”  Seriously there is no way that a backwards robe or sleeved blanket should be a legitimate product.  The Snuggie has sold well over 4 million of their backwards robes; therefore the market, the people and the “Snuggie Tribe” legitimized the product.  “Who am I and what do I know?”

Social Media Is Redefining Legitimacy.

What do you think?  Share some authors, businesses and leaders you follow that came from the ranks of Social Media.