Discover how businesses are using social networks like Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, YouTube, blogging and more to communicate, market, retain and serve customers and clients. Explore the top sites and determine possible uses for your organization. Develop a two-way communication and marketing strategy that utilizes social networks, and obtain how-to techniques for integrating social networks into your organization. For businesses, nonprofits, government and other organizations.

THE PROGRAM

The Social Media for Business Certificate is offered through our partner, Learning Resources Network, Inc. (aka UGotClass). It is composed of three, month-long courses:

Introduction to Social Media – 16 hours

• How Marketing has Changed and Where Social Networks Fit?
  • How is marketing changing?
  • Who is your customer & where are they online?
  • What role does content play?
  • What are the trends on the horizon?
• Where to Start? Strategy, Listening, & Accounts
  • Start with a plan: Developing a social media marketing strategy.
  • Where does listening & engagement fit into strategy?
  • Learning to use some basic tools
  • How are organizations using social media?
• What Do Social Networks Fit in Your Business?
  • General overview of social sites that may fit your marketing goals.
  • Where are your customers and how are they using social media?
  • How to set up social network profiles?
  • Can you measure the return on your investment?
• Using Facebook to Promote Your Brand and Engage Your Customers
  • The Basics of Facebook: Personal & Business Applications
  • How to Set-up Your Facebook Page
  • Using Content and Posts to Boost Engagement
  • Case Studies on How Businesses Use Facebook

Marketing Using Social Media – 16 hours

• Social media as two-way communication
  • The customer-business relationship
  • The power of viral marketing
  • Building customer loyalty with social media
  • Using social media to brand your organization
• Creating, marketing and communicating using Blogs
  • How blogs got started
  • Writing blogs for work and business
  • Marketing and promoting your blog
  • Business strategies for blogs
• How to use Twitter
  • Uniqueness of Twitter
  • Creating tweets and messages
  • Doing research and information gathering with Twitter
  • Integrating Twitter with other publicity
• LinkedIn: a social media for professionals
  • Why businesses and professionals use LinkedIn
  • How LinkedIn distinguishes itself among social networks
  • Getting connected with LinkedIn
  • Case studies and examples of business and professional uses

Integrating Social Media in Your Organization – 16 hours

• Running a Community and Creating Your Own Social Network Using Ning
  • Online Communities and Creating Your Own Social Network with Ning
  • Top 5 Considerations When Starting a Social Network
  • What Goes into Build a Great Social Network
  • What is an online community manager
  • What is Ning and How to Use the Platform
  • Examples of Companies Using Ning
• What Tools to Use for Your Organization
  • What tools and platforms will help get content on the web
  • Readings on top new tools to consider
  • How to select which tool to use
  • How video fits into online marketing
  • Organizing and collaborating with Google products
  • How to take advantage of mobile and local in applications and search
• Integrating Social Platforms into Your Web Site
  • Discovering how web design has changed and what is needed for true integration
  • Understanding elements on web sites that increase interaction, engagement, search engines findability
  • Learn best practices for website usability and landing page design
  • Discuss how your sites compare and generate next steps that will improve your business
• Developing a Manageable Work Flow: Time, Resources, Policies, and Trends
  • Developing a Manageable Work Flow
  • Time and Resources: How do you know where to spend your time?
  • Target Social Media Influencers to Boost Traffic and Sales
  • Is Your Company Ready for Social Media or Are They Holding You Back?
  • Trends - What's Next or Are We Still Working on Last Year's Trends?
  • Social Media Policies and Planning For A Crisis