Social Media in One Lesson
I went to a class this week called social media marketing. Though it was geared to newbies, I’d say I learned a thing or two I didn’t know — and it reinforced some ideas I already understood.
But what I really got out of it was this: you cannot learn about something like social media by listening to someone talk about it. No, you have to use it.
Could you learn how to drive a car by sitting in a classroom? Sure, you’d learn about driving, but you wouldn’t be ready to get your license.
It seemed that many people in the room did not use the tools we were talking about, simple things like Twitter, LinkedIn, and even Facebook. So here’s my advice to people who want to learn about social media: sign up and start participating.
Learning by doing is powerful — and when it comes to social media, the skills you acquire with a personal Twitter account or blog can help you at work.
You can’t become a carpenter by watching YouTube videos or reading a book. It will give you some ideas, maybe inspire you, perhaps help you make a plan, but if you want to learn something real, pick up a hammer and start hitting some nails.
4 Comments → “Social Media in One Lesson”
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I agree with learn by doing, but would add start by lurking. See what others are doing, and then by all means jump in … the water’s fine.
To those new to internet jargon, this is the constructive sort of lurking, not the creepy kind.
I was in a class like that once. It was all about corporate blogging, and the instructor asked who blogged. About three people raised their hands. Then she’s like, OK, who READS blogs? Another four hands went up.
Granted, this was several years ago, but it was absolutely stunning how few people had any sort of experience with the medium, and this was an audience of corporate communication types.
Learn by doing is great advice, but take it a step more and try EVERYTHING you hear about. Know what it is and how it works. It’s nice to be the person at the table who has some expertise.
Hey Rob, I very much agree to get online and start participating the problem is when I was new I didn’t know where to spend time, or what to say and was concerned of damaging my corporate credibility. I’m with Lydia (internet) lurking is a good thing especially if you do it with a critical eye. Lurk, listen and critique what’s valuable, quality, relevant content, what is irrelevant and useless – this will help you form a strategy on how to participate.
Lisa Ann Landry – Corporate Trainer
I’m an exuberant force of light… Come light up your life
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