We all know there are a bazillion social media “experts” out there.  I don’t claim to be an expert because I don’t think it’s possible to be an expert in a field that’s constantly changing as technology presses forward.  Many small businesses are being duped into thinking they need to hire an expensive contractor to handle their social media needs, when in fact the solutions may be in their office already.  The trick is changing the company perspective on what or who an expert is.  Here are some of the questions I would ask a so called social media “expert”:

• How do you define social media?
• Can you give me an example of some of the clients you have worked for and the type of work you’ve completed for them?
• How do you establish relationships with bloggers and how do you pitch to them?
• How do you monitor what people are saying about you online?
• How do you measure results?
• Do you have a blog or a website and what’s your strategy for your blog or website?
• How long have you been on twitter ( or insert your fav. social media site or tool) and how are you using it?
• What do you think the future social media trends are?

What are the questions you would ask to determine if someone really knows their stuff in the social media world? If you are a social media “expert” how would you answer these questions?