Can social media be taught?

I think everything can.

Which isn't to say that if you take a creative writing class you'll end up being the next Kurt Vonnegut, but you will improve your style, tone and voice. We can all benefit from learning theory, tips and tecnniques.

I wrote a guest post for SpinSucks on social media education.  

Here's a preview: 

Social media education started off DIY.

That’s what differentiates it from many other forms of marketing communications.

In social media, anyone can try the platforms, learn enough to be dangerous and, with a few clicks, become a video producer, community manager, content curator, published writer, or any combination of the above.

That said, understanding the craft and mastery all take time. Which brings us back to the DIY nature of social media; requiring reading, clicking, testing, participating, measuring, repeating…

But as social media moves into the mainstream, a more formalized type of social media education is beginning to emerge; one that provides instruction in a classroom setting and grants accreditation, certificates, or degrees. (continued)

Have you taken a formal social media course? What was your experience with it?

About Martin Waxman


I'm a Toronto digital, social media and communications strategist, founder of 3 PR agencies, blogger at myPALETTE, Inside PR co-host, @martinwaxman on Twitter, digital and social media strategy instructor at University of Toronto School of Continuing Studies, and former fiction writer, comedy MC & Winnipegger.

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