The come-ons are everywhere-social media experts urging you to sign up now to unlock the secrets of social media success.

A typical example:

“Want to launch a revolutionary, buzz-building social media-based marketing campaign? You’re in the right place. As blog strategists, we develop revolutionary blog-based marketing programs and high-yield blog advertising campaigns that make marketing fun, generate great buzz, build your brand, and make you a respected part of the social media community.”

Indeed, there is no shortage of social media experts promising to help companies create killer social media campaigns that will rake in riches. They have sprouted up like dandelions.

And there’s the rub. A backlash has erupted against social media experts by those who see them as a growing horde of hustlers, pretenders, imposters, and charlatans.

The following sampling of headlines from across the Web reflects the ire and contempt being unleashed upon social media experts:

• “Invasion of the Social Media Experts”
• “What’s it take to be a social media expert? Not much, apparently”
• “Is There Really Such a Thing as a Social Media Expert”
• “Here an expert, there an expert…everywhere an expert”
• “Could Your Social Media “Expert” be a Fake?”
• “Will the real social media expert please stand up?”
• “You’re NOT a social media expert, you idiot”
• ” Social Media ‘Experts’ are the Cancer of Twitter (and Must Be Stopped)”
• “7 ways to spot a social media snake oil salesperson”
• “Top 25 Ways to Tell if Your Social Media Expert Is a Carpetbagger”

Continues @ http://www.ciozone.com

Openwave systems, maker of the popular Openwave Mobile Analytics solution, published a study recently that outlined the latest key trends in mobile Internet usage in the US. While some of the findings aren’t anything new, some trends are beginning to emerge that are key to the future mobile marketing.

Derived from data pulled from its mobile analytical solution, Openwave was able to identify strong growth areas in niches like mobile-based classified advertising, location-based content and advertising, and of course, strong growth when it comes to mobile social networking- no surprise there.

It was interesting to me that classified advertising has become so prevalent, so quickly. The study found that Craigslist ranked number 7 within the top 10 search terms on Google, suggesting a trend towards mobile classifieds for jobs, housing, bargain priced goods and services during the current economic downturn. It’s hard to tell whether the economy is the driving force behind a simple spike in mobile classifieds, or if it’s truly a long-term trend that will materialize. If you ask me, mobile classifieds will be an important sector in mobile marketing in the near future, especially as location-aware technology spreads.

Continues @ http://www.mobilemarketingwatch.com