Social media essentials

Please note: This course is has a dual approach. Delegates are sent videos (approx 90 mins) about various social media platforms and are expected to watch this before the live session, which takes place from 9.30 to 13.30.

Course aim
To enable participants to select and then use appropriate social media channels to achieve their communication objectives. The workshop provides a solid grounding in what each platform is capable of and how it works. It is updated every time it runs to include the latest features and functions as the platforms evolve. It is aimed at practitioners involved in the day-to-day management of social media profiles - people who actually ‘do’ social media, as part of their job.
 
Platforms covered include Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter, YouTube, TikTok, Snapchat and Pinterest. We also look at messaging apps such as WhatsApp, Facebook Messenger, Nextdoor and tools that can help you manage social media more effectively.

Who should attend?

• Anyone involved in running social media accounts as part of their role.
• Practitioners who feel they are not getting the results they desire from their existing use of social media.
• Those who feel out of touch and need brought up to date with what social media is capable of and how individual platforms work.
• Newcomers to the PR profession interested in learning how to apply their existing knowledge of social media to a business environment.
• Senior practitioners still unconvinced of the value of social media and interested in learning how it could be used more effectively by their organisation.

What to expect?

• Approx. 90 minutes of on-demand ‘explainer’ videos detailing the basic features of the main social media platforms as well as a looking at new and emerging channels and popular messaging apps.
• Case studies and examples from a variety of sectors showing what organisations are doing (and the results they are getting) from different social media platforms.
• Advice around increasing reach and achieving the desired response from your intended audience
• Being coached, challenged and supported as you develop new ideas and inspiration to improve your organisation’s use of social media.
• Discovering new tools and software that can enhance your use of social media.
• Opportunity to ask questions and receive advice from an experienced trainer.

Course objectives
Participation in this course provides you with the knowledge to:

• make informed decisions about which social media platforms will be most relevant to support your specific communications objectives
• effectively evaluate your existing social media approaches
• recognise the importance of tone of voice in social media
• understand what the law says about social media communications and how to use these platforms safely and securely.
• be able to develop a range of social media content ideas