I recently read an article suggesting questions you should ask before hiring a social media consultant. The questions read much like you'd see in an interview.

I say, why ask questions when you can easily see this guru in action?

Here are 3 things I would do to decide whether I'm dealing with a "real" social media guru...
1. Get the top three social networking sites they participate in and follow them.
2. Observe their activity for about a month.
3. Have them provide you with hard numbers and statistics for the type of traffic and returns their online efforts are producing.

It shouldn't take long to decide whether you're dealing with the real thing.