CCE 462-013: A Social Media Crash Course
For those who don’t already know, I am completing a graduate certificate in Public Relations at McMaster’s Centre for Continuing Education. One of the courses I am taking is Social Media Research & Techniques (CCE 462-013) taught by Jared Lenover (@autoblot).
What is it?
CCE 462-013 is more or less a crash course on how to effectively use social media, particularly in regards to public relations. In addition to Jared’s words of wisdom and expertise, the book Putting the Public Back in Public Relations by Brian Solis and Deirdre Breakenridge, is used as a guidebook throughout the course.
Why take it?
Each person may decide to take this course for different reasons. I decided to take this course mainly because I love social media and I’m always looking to learn more about it. For years now I have been fascinated with this new and changing phenomenon, but I have yet to really learn about it in depth in regards to public relations. While I don’t expect this course to make me an ‘expert’ in social media, I do expect it to teach me about the valuable tools and techniques I can use to become more experienced in it.
What do I hope to accomplish?
Although I have learned a lot about social media on my own and in an academic environment, it is something that is constantly changing. With social media, there is always something new to learn. As many people may agree, social media can be scary. I want to learn how to be fearless when it comes to using social media. I want to stop over thinking things and instead just jump in. In addition to this, I want the following three questions answered:
- How has social media impacted the public relations industry?
- What are the most effective ways to engage people using social media?
- What should people and organizations avoid while using social media?
Hopefully by the end of this course I will have a better understanding of how to use social media more effectively (and I hope to improve my blogging skills as well). I encourage each of you to leave comments on my posts, whether it is feedback, questions, thoughts or even suggestions you may have for me. Stay tuned to my blog for updates about this course and follow the twitter hashtag #SMRTCCE. Thanks for reading!
Follow me on Twitter: @GillianWasser
Posted on May 15, 2012, in Education, Public Relations, SMRTCCE, Social Media and tagged McMaster, Public Relations, SMRTCCE, Social Media. Bookmark the permalink. 6 Comments.
Hi Gillian! Good idea to take a poll. I definitely know about some platforms better than others but I’d like to look into Google+ and LinkedIn, since I don’t know much about those in particular. Do you have a favourite?
Thanks! I am still learning how to use Google+. LinkedIn is great for professional networking. It’s hard to choose just one because each one is great for different things. Twitter, LinkedIn and Facebook are definitely some of my favourites. Do you have a favourite?
Twitter is definitely a favourite! I need to look into LinkedIn – sounds like a good tool.
It really is. If you connect with old/current co-workers, write a recommendation and then ask them to write one for you too. You should aim to have at least 3 recommendations on your profile.
Do you consider blogging as Social Media?
Yes. I think that blogs were one of the first forms of social media. Do you?