The Future is Social

By Rodrigo Johnson. March 16th, 2023

Hey there, my fellow digital marketing enthusiasts! 😎

Last week in my Digital Marketing Seminar class, we were graced with the presence of Dante Sellers, the Customer Account Manager at Hootsuite. And let me tell you, he dropped some serious knowledge bombs about the state of social media that left me feeling super inspired! 🤯

One of the biggest takeaways I got from Dante's talk was how many companies made the mistake of neglecting their digital presence after the reopening following the pandemic. But as we've all come to realize, digital customer service is here to stay, and it's crucial for businesses to lean into it now more than ever before. With the world constantly evolving and changing, it's important to be adaptable and embrace the power of social media as a marketing tool.

Dante also touched on a really interesting point about the differences in consumer behaviour on social media between Canada and China. In Canada, the biggest barrier for a consumer to purchase through social media is trust, while in China, people consume through social media more than any other channel. This really hit home for me, as I too am hesitant to make purchases through social media due to trust issues. As social media marketers, it's our responsibility to bridge that gap of trust between consumers and the different platforms. This is where our creativity and analytical skills come in handy, so we can craft effective strategies that build trust and foster relationships with our audience.

As for me, I'm all in on pursuing a career in social media marketing. It's a constantly evolving field that has become the go-to marketing tool for businesses of all sizes. And with the new generation of consumers turning to social media as a place to find products and local stores to consume, there's never been a better time to dive into it. To achieve my goals, I've got my sights set on earning some specific certifications, like the Hootsuite Social Marketing Certification, HubSpot Social Media Certification, Google Analytics Certification, Twitter Flight School Certification, and Facebook Blueprint Certification. 🏆

But there's more to becoming a successful social media marketer than just certifications. I'm constantly working on refining other skills like staying on top of social media trends, content creation and curation, basic graphic design skills, analytical skills to track and measure performance metrics, customer service and relationship-building skills, project management skills, strong written and verbal communication skills, creativity, and the ability to think outside the box. Whew, that's a lot of skills to master, but it's all worth it in the end!

And speaking of networking, Dante gave us some amazing advice on how to expand our professional networks. One way is to attend industry events and conferences to meet new people and gain insights into the industry. Another is to build a strong online presence through creating a professional website, polishing up our LinkedIn profiles, or developing an online portfolio showcasing our skills, experience, and accomplishments. And last but not least, continuing to develop our skills through training, certification, or taking on new challenges can make us even more competitive job candidates.

So there you have it, folks! Dante's talk really opened my eyes to the power of social media marketing and how I can hone my skills to become a successful professional in the field. Now it's up to me (and you!) to put in the work and make it happen. Let's do this! 💪