A SOLUTION IN SOCIAL MEDIA EDUCATION 2) Online webinars
Basics like social media etiquette are already being taught in
the classroom, and educational institutions are partnering with
businesses and social media professionals to develop the relevant
coursework needed get students up to speed. Social Media Today offers a series of webinars and podcasts
that are released almost monthly. Webinars are a great source
for accessing keynote speakers, thought leaders, and important
roundtables. Grab your computer, turn up the volume and get
in the zone for an informative session. We offer regular free
webinars and ebooks at Likeable Local as well.
Hootsuite's Student Program, for example, offers free coursework
and certification to help professors and educators bring social
into their classrooms. "This program helps students master
professional social media skills through hands-on practice,"
Uganec explains. "As a result, they're gaining a type of expertise
that's in high demand and they're entering the workforce better
prepared to work in a digitally connected world."
For those with their formal school years already behind them,
social media education is coming in the form of on-the-job
training programs. "Companies are beginning to acknowledge
social media literacy as a critical job skill," says Uganec. "We're
seeing a steady increase in on-the-job social media training and
education offerings as a result."
In fact, Altimeter reports that 50 percent of companies surveyed
are planning on providing an internal social education program
for their employees. The same report notes that spending on
corporate training has risen to $70 billion for U.S. businesses.
"Not only does social media education help employees cope with
changes in their industry, it can benefit the business overall,"
Uganec explains. "Employee advocacy and engagement both
increase within properly educated workforces, and education
plays a big part in reducing the likelihood of a social media gaffe
that turns into a nightmare for your PR department."
TOOLS TO BRIDGE THE SKILLS GAP
1) Free online courses
3) Conferences
Keep your eyes peeled for conferences happening in your
neighborhood. Plenty of universities and organizations host
social media and tech conferences all the time. Grab a seat and
listen to what some of the pros in the industry are buzzing about.
You'll find a list of conferences happening in major cities on sites
like Social Media Examiner.
4) Meetups
Embrace your locale and search out social media marketing
meetups happening nearby. Meetup is a fantastic resource for
keeping up to date with the social media meetings that are
happening in and around your city. As of right now, there
are over a million active members interested in Social Media
Marketing meetups.
5) Join an online group
What better way to brush up on your social media skills than
social media? LinkedIn Groups is a watering hole for like-minded
professionals looking to join forces. Share ideas, circulate relevant
articles and news in the industry, and chat with individuals
interested in the same cause. You'll find groups like Social Media
Marketing — the largest and most active social media marketing
group on LinkedIn.
CLOSING THE GAP ONCE AND FOR ALL
Hootsuite Academy offers free courses that can help you develop
fundamental social marketing skills. You can also choose to
showcase those skills to employers or clients through industry-
recognized Hootsuite certifications. For those who aren't blessed
with the gift of time, it's an awesome way to get trained and
certified without having to step foot in a school.
MEET
DAVE KERPEN
With new technologies comes new opportunities, new trends,
and new efficiencies--but also new challenges.
As the workplace becomes more and more influenced by social
media, it's important that we — as students, job seekers,
employees and business owners — stay fluent and up to date.
Dave Kerpen is the CEO of Likeable
Local. He is also the co-founder and
chairman of Likeable Media and the
New York Times best-selling author
of Likeable Social Media and Likeable
Business. Want to learn about how to
grow your business using social media
in two minutes? Visit DaveKerpen.com
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