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?

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