Social Media Training: Which Workshops Measure Up?

Social media training workshops are everywhere. In Charlotte, social media classes are more popular than Starbucks. Some of them are valuable, some are not.

Will a social media class will be worth your time and money? How do you evaluate a class you’re considering?

It’s hard to know which social media training seminars are worthwhile, but these questions might help guide you.

(P.S. I’m teaching an entry-level Facebook for Your Business class and Twitter for Your Business class in partnership with Your Community Connector. I’ll also have a one-day, intensive Social Media Bootcamp in May..details soon. Feel free to ask around about my credentials…I’m trouble, but I’m worth it.)

How to Tell if a Social Media Training Class is a Good Value

Content:

  • Is it a “Social Media 101″ workshop? An advanced social media class?
  • Does the class focus on social media theory or social media how-to?
  • Does the class explore the social media tools/channels you’re interested in? (e.g., Facebook, Twitter, blogging, other tools)
  • Will the presenter give specific and practical tips for using social media effectively?
  • Will there be case studies? Are they relevant and explanatory? Do they showcase specific industries, tools, business size, etc?
  • Will the sessions be business-focused? Personal-focused? A mix?

Presenters:

  • What are the presenter(s)’ credentials?
  • Do presenters “know their stuff” about social media?
  • Do the affiliations and credentials offered have any relevance or value?
  • Who vouches for the presenters? Do you trust/value those endorsements?
  • Have presenters led successful social media programs or projects?
  • Do presenters “eat their own dogfood” — that is, do they have their own blog, Twitter account, etc? How active are they in online communities?
  • Do the presenters have expertise beyond social media? In marketing, PR, human relations, finance, or operations, for example?
  • Are the presenters active members of Social Media Charlotte (or a similar organization in your town)?

Audience:

  • Who will be attending the event? Is the content tailored to the audience, or is it pre-packaged fluff?
  • Is the event industry-specific? Does it serve businesses of a certain size?
  • Is this for C-Level executives? Entrepreneurs? Mid-level directors and managers? Junior employees?
  • Do attendees’ social media experience levels span a broad range? Or is it more specific — newbies, for example, or advanced learners?
  • Do attendees want to use social media for personal activities? For work? Both?

Setting

  • Is the event venue conducive to learning?
  • Does it have free wi-fi or another suitable Internet connection?
  • Does the venue have adequate A/V capabilities?
  • Will the event include space/time for networking?
  • Is there a #hashtag for the event?

Price:

  • How much does the class cost? Free? $20? $200? $1000? $4995?
  • Does the value of the [content] + [speakers] + [networking opportunities] measure up against the cost?
  • Would a more expensive class be a better value? What about a lower-priced class?
  • Will you have to attend multiple low-priced events to learn what you would learn in one mid-priced event?

Post-Event:

  • Will there be a workbook, educational materials or other takeaways to continue your learning?
  • Is there an online community for event attendees?
  • What type of support will the event host/presenter offer after the event?
  • Is there a “next step” class?
    • http://www.aligned-marketing.com/ Steve

      Good post, Scott. Most people (like me) miss the importance of “The Audience.”

    • http://www.aligned-marketing.com/ Steve

      Good post, Scott. Most people (like me) miss the importance of “The Audience.”

    • http://www.digitalmarketingzen.com David Wells

      This is a great list of things to look for before checking out an event. Since there are no hard academic standards for the social media industry, it's hard to gauge the “savvyness” of some presenters.

      I like the “do they eat their own dog food” approach. Checking the speakers twitter feed and blog can shed light as to their level of expertise. Anyone can talk the talk but walking the walk… now thats the tricky part.

    • http://www.SocializeYourCause.org David Wells

      This is a great list of things to look for before checking out an event. Since there are no hard academic standards for the social media industry, it's hard to gauge the “savvyness” of some presenters.

      I like the “do they eat their own dog food” approach. Checking the speakers twitter feed and blog can shed light as to their level of expertise. Anyone can talk the talk but walking the walk… now thats the tricky part.

    • http://mediaemerging.com Scott Hepburn

      Thanks, Steve. It took me getting over the hubris of my 20s to realize I can learn something from any person on any day. Even more important than “Who's here?” is an openness to learning something new from an unexpected source.

      I appreciate your insights — thanks for stopping by!

    • http://mediaemerging.com Scott Hepburn

      Thanks, Steve. It took me getting over the hubris of my 20s to realize I can learn something from any person on any day. Even more important than “Who's here?” is an openness to learning something new from an unexpected source.

      I appreciate your insights — thanks for stopping by!

    • http://mediaemerging.com Scott Hepburn

      Right on, David. I look at blogs as a good reality check. Tweeting is easy. It takes commitment, selflessness, and marketer's instincts to build a successful blog. A great blog proves to me that a speaker isn't just a fly-by-nighter.

    • http://mediaemerging.com Scott Hepburn

      Right on, David. I look at blogs as a good reality check. Tweeting is easy. It takes commitment, selflessness, and marketer's instincts to build a successful blog. A great blog proves to me that a speaker isn't just a fly-by-nighter.