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Social Media Practitioners: Your help is needed!

Help Social Media.

They say social media is dying.  They say social media has too much publicity.  They say nobody really knows what social media is.  Is that what you say?

The Situation

If you haven’t heard, NC State has added a social media course to its MBA Curriculum.  For those in the Raleigh area and the many @triangletweetup folks, this is great news!  MBA 590 Social Networks and Web 2.0 Media in Marketing will serve as a trendsetting course exploring all things social media, virtual world, and Web 2.0.

The Kicker

I’ve worked with Claudia Kimbrough for years in various Marketing courses at NC State and am fortunate enough to be a Visiting Lecturer for this course.  Having dipped my toes in social media, I’m smart enough to know that I don’t know everything.  There are tons of subject matter experts, and even a large number within driving distance to the NCSU campuses.  This leads me to my main point.

The Call to Action

With most of us having full-time jobs, massive amounts of responsibility, and priorities involving multiple departments in our organizations, social media has become a great personal branding outlet.  You can show your expertise, offer insight, connect to others, and build your network.  This is where we need your help.

Social media by nature is a living, breathing creature that is constantly evolving.  We want to keep this course fresh, up to date, and balanced.  This post is going to serve as a stake in the ground.  I’m appealing to you, the social media practitioners to propose what you feel should be included in this course.  It could be a number of things:

  • A core concept
  • A fundamental tool or product
  • An up and coming strategy
  • A social media network
  • Things to avoid doing or practicing
  • Tips for successful implementation

You are all smart people.  Please help us continue to add value to this course by suggesting what you would like to see included.  We may even call on some of you to join us in class for a session and impart your knowledge!

Trust is also important.  I can assure you that anything you suggest will be credited to you.  Whether it is in a course slideshow, or teaching a concept, we will make it a point to stress who suggested that “module” and help to increase your personal brand.

The fact that the course itself can be a social media outlet by having interactive content and suggestions is exciting.  I hope that some of you find this as appealing as I do.  Thanks for taking the time to read this.

Please help and post your feedback or suggestions below.

  • I like the topics you've already mentioned. Each one could be a very length discussion.

    Other potential topics:

    - Things to consider before engaging SM

    - Good SM etiquette
  • Thanks Sheila! Great suggestions!
  • Hi Chris, if you need any help with the topic of managing your brand via social media or social media monitoring best practices, please let me know. I'd be happy to drop by and do a guest presentation.
  • Awesome Andy! We'll definitely want to set that up. I'll be in touch with you. Could even be a husband/wife presentation. :)
  • She'd outshine me! ;-)
  • Chris:

    Two things I would add:

    1. Social media is new way to connect with, and communicate with, your customers or constituents. It is not a strategy, but a set of continually changing tools that work in conjunction with your current marketing strategy. It does not replace marketing, it enhances it and allows you to engage with your customers.

    2. One effective approach to social media is to build a community of engaged and active participants around your business or organization. The success of Triangle Tweetup is an example of this.

    Since I am based in the Triangle, I would be happy to speak to the class on either of these topics.
  • What a great start you have already! I'm happy to help out where most appropriate. Here are some thoughts:

    - Visual Communications
    Do you have an avatar that works for you? How do you know? Tips on working with designers, photographers, etc. to make sure you're speaking the message you'd hoped.

    - The Bigger Picture
    It's not just about the social media tools, but the interactions, education, empowerment and results that those tools enable (use Seth Godin's Tribes and blog as a resource).

    - Human Nature
    Altruism, self-policing, and organic growth in relation to online communities and engagement.

    The course sounds exciting. I'm in Raleigh and can help when/if needed!
  • I think strategy is important as getting sites up and running is just first step. Strategy to manage, communicate and sustain relationships involves a long term strategy with short term tactics. Let me know if I can help out as you get more info.
  • Thanks to everyone who responded!

    You each should have messages in your email or LinkedIn from me regarding scheduling. :)
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