I’m going to trust that you’re an intelligent person because you’ve chosen to read this excellent content. Because I trust you’re an intelligent person I almost don’t need to write the actual commentary for this blog. Let’s just say that it’s about stupid job titles people give themselves in the world of agencies. Here are some 100% genuine and real ones I’ve encountered of late. Take a look and then we’ll talk:

SEO Ninja, Magic Maker, Digital Overlord, Director of Storytelling, Social Media Ninja, Brand Strategy Guru, Web Alchemist, Wizard of Light Bulb Moments, Brand Warrior, Head of Chaos, Community Data Guerrilla, Idea Inventor, Social Media Rockstar, Online Community and Social Media Czar.

I could go on (and I’m sure you’ve encountered some real tools yourself) but let’s leave it at that ridiculous list.

I’ve had a number of job titles in my career, but all of them just described what I do.

Someone once referred to me as a “whizz kid”, someone else a “proper legend” (which was nice) but I’m not going to adopt any of those as my actual job title because it’s stupid. There are no ninjas in social media. To manipulate social media to its maximum potential you need to analyse the data, track trends, deploy smart, targeted content... etc. There’s nothing ‘ninja’ about it.

I’m only just starting to accept the word “ideation” (such is my distain for BS) but calling yourself a “Wizard of Light Bulb Moments” just ensures I refuse to connect with you on LinkedIn and will definitely never work with you because I’d be too embarrassed to introduce you to my colleagues.

Stop trying to impress me with your ‘creative’ job title; impress me instead with your business acumen (I’m pretty sure I’ll come up with my own nicknames for you as we go).