Cincinnati State accredits Institute for Social Media certificate
The popular Institute for Social Media certificate at Cincinnati State is now accredited, not long after the first three-day course was introduced late last year. Krista Neher, a Cincinnati social media expert, author and CEO of Boot Camp Digital, has teamed up with Cincinnati State and O'Keeffe PR for the certification. It's aimed at teaching social media newbies how to develop a unique voice online, and form meaningful connections with people and customers.The hands-on class teaches students how to build their own social medial profiles and strategies. It also includes outside homework and testing.The inaugural certification class was held last December, and all 20 spots were filled, Neher said. The upcoming session starts this month, and plans are to offers a class each quarter.Cincinnati State accredited the class, which is now worth three hours of academic credit. The accreditation sets the Social Media Institute apart from the myriad of available options."We wanted to clearly show that this program was different than a lot of social media seminars out there. So we thought it was really important to get accreditation. This program is a lot more substantial than other options. It has academic rigor and has been vetted by an external advisory board," Neher said.The next session will be April 13, 20 and 27 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. each day. Classes will be at Cincinnati State's Workforce Development Center in Evendale. The cost is $1,295.For more information, go here.The three day schedule is:Day 1: Social Media 101. The basics - introduces students to the Boot Camp Digital Social Marketing System, a proven social media marketing approach. Participants will learn how to leverage key social media sites, including Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, blogs, YouTube and user-generated content.Day 2: Social Media for Marketing. Provides in-depth practical instruction on how to build and execute a successful social media marketing plan utilizing best practices and case studies. This module is laser focused on how to achieve real, measurable results using social media.Day 3: Advanced Topics in Social Media. Covers advanced social media monitoring and measurement, selling social media to the boss, social media efficiency tools, search engine optimization, mobile marketing and how to integrate social media with the rest of a marketing plan. Guide books, action planners, check lists and quick-start guides are included to help participants start applying their knowledge immediately.Writer: Feoshia HendersonSources: Cincinnati State and Boot Camp Digital founder Krista NeherYou can follow Feoshia on Twitter @feoshiawrites
