TOOLS TO BRIDGE THE SKILLS GAP
1) Free online courses
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.
2) Online webinars
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.
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
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.
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.
MEET
DAVE KERPEN
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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