The 7 types of social media specialists

There is so much debate about it is because there are so many different types of people, of widely varying experience, who can occupy positions with a social media remit.

On the back of these discussions, and to help organize my thoughts on the subject, I figured it might be useful to try and classify the different types of social media consultants as well as the pros and cons of each.

It is difficult to categorize these types without making some generalizations that may not capture the more diverse skills of some of the especially talented and experienced people out there. So, please take with a pinch of salt and help evolve and add to the categories via the comments section at the end.

1. Social media specialist with a communications background

This type of consultant typically has a communications degree and has spent a bit of time in a PR-style function.

Usually, the communications-shaped social media consultant has adapted quickly to the explosion of social media and has improved his or her knowledge/skillset in the area of online self-publishing and the creative use of digital assets.