Social Media - applications and skills
Group One-day course
Course Description
New forms of social media are sweeping the world. Their rapid growth has come as a surprise to many communicators in business and government organisations, who are now playing ‘catch up’ to make best use of the new formats.
Many of us have discovered these new formats by accident or word of mouth – looking for information on Wikipedia (being careful of accuracy) or being stunned by the maturity of the younger generation in its use of You Tube, and My Space.
The focus of social media is on sharing information, opinions, and proposals for change. They come in many different forms – text, images, audio and video – and include blogs, message boards, podcasts, wikis and vlogs.
This sharing is not just in giving information, but in getting a response – in listening, as well as telling. That in itself is a culture shock for some professional communicators.
This program looks at the range of new technologies and practices, and the organisations which offer them, the audiences and users, and the specific advantages each one offers.
We focus on specific skills which will enhance your use of the social media. Some of these might be:
• how to talk to a camera with authenticity;
• how to talk in the language which teenagers listen to and understand;
• how to invite and get a response;
• how to do valid research.
Who will benefit?
Anyone who wants to engage more with stakeholders – both outside and inside an organisation. Those with important audience groups which are younger, and low consumers of public media. Those who want to extend the human, personal fact or in what they do.
Course outline
• The new forms of media which form the social media group.
• Listing of the social media ‘players’ – their characteristics, their offerings, their valuable offerings, their dangers.
• Examples, using real-time demonstrations, and discussion.
• Skills relevant to social media. Customising language to certain audiences, use of video for presentations to camera and interviews, facilitating feedback from stakeholders, protocols for questionnaires and other surveys.
Course arrangements
Usually a maximum of six gives the best opportunities for discussion and the tailoring of content to meet specific needs.
We provide a video camera, laptop and projector for demonstration segments.
Course notes are included.