Minneapolis-based social media and digital marketing agency
The Social Lights (see The Line's previous coverage
here) recently unveiled a new training and certification program that could boost the number of social media professionals in the Twin Cities.
The six-week accelerated course will be designed to equip qualified candidates with the knowledge and skills to shine as full-time social media community managers. Training is done in a classroom setting as well as online, blending client projects, industry speakers, and case studies. Participants learn to manage multiple platforms and pages, measure the success of their efforts, and develop creative content.
"Over the past three years of managing social media on behalf of a variety of brands, we've learned what it takes to be a strong Community Manager and act as the eyes, ears, and voice of a brand," says Martha McCarthy, co-founder of The Social Lights. "We've also noticed that an increasing number of social media positions require years of experience, but most candidates have no formal training, and limited experience."
During the past year, McCarthy and her partner, Emily Pritchard, have spoken with recruiters, HR managers, brand managers, and others, and discovered that many companies are in a similar position when it comes to recruiting social media professionals: the selection is slim, and those who have great potential lack a deeper level of training.
In addition to providing that instruction, the company will act as a placement agency of sorts, matching training participants with enterprises that need those skills.
"We aim to fill the social media talent gap and provide value to our students and clients alike," says McCarthy.
Source: Martha McCarthy, The Social Lights
Writer: Elizabeth Millard