Take away a practical strategy and techniques for implementing a social strategy for your organization or business.  Learn the top five considerations when starting a social network as well as tips to manage an online community. Discover how to create your own private social network using the Ning platform. Discuss the top tools to use to manage your social media life and build integration into your website. See how Google Docs and Calendars work and how to use online video to further your business goals. Hear about mobile check-in applications and how companies are using coupon and deal sites. Get your company listed properly on local search engines so more customers can find you. Discuss how web design has changed and get feedback on your website while discovering usability testing and user interface design. Finally, learn how to manage this influx of information created by the new media revolution. Develop a manageable workflow and get productivity tips to be more efficient.  Learn what you might be doing wrong in social media as well as essential policies to have in place for your employees and company. See what trends are on the horizon and where your goals fit with those new trends.

One month online course. Jennifer H Selke, instructor. $195 USD

Technical Requirements: Access to Flash needed for audio and slide presentations

 outlineCourse Outline

Unit 1. 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
 
Unit 2. 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
 
Unit 3. Integrating Social Platforms into Your Web Site
Discovering how web design has changed and what is needed for true integration
Understanding elements on websites 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

Unit 4: 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

Question MarkAbout online learning

Online learning is a fun, enjoyable and very productive way to learn. Millions of people are learning online each year. You will engage with the instructor and other participants. You will get to know your instructor and other participants. You may make friends.  It’s easy. It’s fun. 

GearsHow the Course Works

It is easy to participate in your online course. After you register, you will be given a web address to go to get into your online classroom.  You will have a password and use your email address and password to gain access.

Once inside the online classroom, here’s what you can expect.

CalendarParticipate when you want

You can participate any time of day or evening. The online classroom is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
There are no live real-time requirements or meetings. You decide when you participate.
For the best learning, participants should log into the course on 2-3 different days of the week.

ChecklistWhat you will do

For each Unit, you will:

  • Read the print readings (about 20 pages a week)
  • Have the option of accessing the online readings
  • Listen to the audio presentation for the Unit and view the slides
  • Have the option of taking a self-quiz to see how much you have learned
  • Engage in written online discussion with your instructor and other participants

For best learning, you should make one or more comments at 2-3 different times each week.
The content (readings, audio lectures, slides) and self-quizzes are accessible for the entire course, so you can work ahead, or go back and review again, at your convenience.

DiscussionDiscussion

The Discussion for each Unit lasts one week. All comments are made in writing and can be made at any time of the day or night.

Your instructor will log into the Discussion area at least once a day and answer questions, make comments, and respond to comments by you and the other participants.

We encourage you to make 2-3 comments each week to maximize your learning and enjoyment of the course.

It’s easy. It’s fun.

Next offering(s):

Integrating Social Media in Your Organization
April 7 - May 2, 2025
June 2 - 27, 2025
August 4 - 29, 2025
November 3 - 28, 2025

Introduction to Social Media
February 3 - 28, 2025
April 7 - May 2, 2025
June 2 - 27, 2025
September 2 - 26, 2025

Marketing Using Social Media
March 3 - 28, 2025
May 5 - 30, 2025
July 7 - August 1, 2025
October 6 - 31, 2025

Add Certificate To Cart
$665.00 CAD
$195 USD

Avg. hours 16, 1.6 CEUs/ILUs

About the Instructor

Jennifer Selke is a nationally known expert, speaker, and consultant in the area of social media.  She is a faculty member in the University of California Berkeley Graduate School of Education and is affiliated with the Berkeley Center for New Media. She received her Ph.D. in Educational Psychology from U.C. Berkeley.

Jennifer is a licensed educational psychologist in private practice. Her technology interests have taken her into the blogging and social media world where she runs a popular blog. She speaks at national conferences on the subject of social networks, writes articles on the subject, and conducts webinars for professionals on the topic.

What some students say:

"By taking these classes I’ve been better able to sell them to potential students!" - Cynthia Parish

Directional ArrowsCourse Objectives

  • To give students knowledge about how social media should function within an organization
  • To provide the necessary tools for creating and implementing a social media strategy
  • To provide direction on how to facilitate smooth integration of social media into existing marketing and communication strategies
  • To provide guidelines for evaluating which social media are most appropriate within your business setting

Puzzle PiecesCourse Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this course you will:

  • Be able to create your own private social media using Ning
  • Be able to work socially using existing resources such as Google Docs and calendars
  • Move your website to an interactive Web 2.0 site
  • Select the best social media tools for your business
  • Develop a strategic plan for the implementation of a social media initiative
Completion Requirements