Social Media Conferences for Advanced Social Media Users
Advanced social media users often struggle to get new information at social media seminars. To that point, this post was meant to be a recap of a recently attended social media conference that discussed measurement of social media campaigns. However, this particular course vaguely touched on measurement and repeated what we’ve been hearing at almost every other conference we’ve attended.
And it seems the more conferences our public relations and social media teams attend, the more we begin to realize the need for a leveling system with entirely different information for advanced social media users.
I’ve decided to share my recommended leveling system for all AMAs, Ad Clubs, and any other conference coordinators, to help as they’re planning their social media conferences:
Novice Social Media Users: This would be geared towards clients and marketing professionals trying to break into the social media world, but are overwhelmed with where to begin. Basics would include: which platforms make the most sense for your clients, how to put together a social media plan for your clients, and how to begin building and best utilizing these platforms. Attendees would learn, based on provided case studies and overall breakdown of platforms, if they should use Facebook, Twitter, MySpace, Flickr, YouTube or implement a blog strategy.
Intermediate Social Media Users: Geared towards professionals already utilizing social media platforms, this level would share how to make platforms more searchable, more engaging and more time-manageable. Discussions would include Facebook and Twitter apps that increase fan interaction, and simple SEO strategies to keep bringing traffic to Flickr, your blog, or Facebook fan page.
Advanced Social Media Users: Assuming attendees already have social media plans in place for their clients or brands, advanced members would learn how to provide comprehensive measurements to their clients, as well as a list of tools and applications that aid in the management of each platform. Some of the best tools and applications BG has found has been through trial and error or personal recommendations by experts like Jason Baer, Chris Brogan and Mashable. These conferences should offer recommended social media behemoths for professionals to follow. After all, we are attending these educational courses to share and learn new techniques.
Do you think there should be a leveling system to these conferences? If so, what do you think should be taught at each level?
Bravo! I couldn’t agree more. I am a novice but responsible for agency-wide implementation. I have attended several social media panels but they are all beginner level where a few in the audience are experienced. I think your categories are ideal in helping attendees understand how to spend their time effectively.
Great post.
Thanks for the feedback, Steven! It’s also very interesting that no matter the level we’re all at, part of our planning needs to include strategies for the future. Eventually all beginners will be ready for the next series of social media strategies and it’d be good practice for conference coordinators to plan ahead.