Using social media and the web effectively for business (Online)

Social Media and the Web is an area of study that is becoming more and more important due to the changing nature of the current consumer and the way that consumers interact with brands and businesses in more recent times. This short course is delivered entirely online and introduces key aspects of understanding how to reach technologically savvy consumers. This course introduces you to some of the most important aspects of what drives the interest in social media within the context of marketing to a specific market. The skills acquired on this course could also be applied to a number of other product areas.

With the business and retail landscapes changing rapidly and new generations of consumer emerging with heightened expectations of how they can shop, learn about products and engage with their favourite brands, businesses are faced with a situation that they cannot avoid; they have to be ahead of their consumers and know how to capture their interest and build relationships with them and know not just how they shop for products but about their lifestyles. Businesses need to be in touch with consumers and social media and the web provide the platforms for this. Many different types of business, large and small, spend large sums of money on market research and marketing consultants to understand how best to connect through marketing campaigns or promotional activities using social media and the web. This course aims to give you a head start at how to begin to unpack this information yourself.

The course encourages you to understand how to observe and engage with technologically savvy consumers and begin to create marketing activities that are appropriate to your own line of business or work.

You will have the opportunity to work with an experienced tutor who will assist you with your understanding of the subject, facilitate and encourage discussion and provide feedback on your progress. You will have access to a range of online resources such as guest lectures, live critiques, podcasts, e-books, interviews and films created with industry professionals.

You will also be encouraged to attend relevant exhibitions, trade events and shows wherever possible.

Course materials will be available through the Solent Online Learning Portal| and you will work independently, at your own pace, on a series of exercises designed to encourage a self-reflective approach to your personal knowledge development. Group discussion and a sharing of knowledge, experience and ideas will be actively encouraged in order to create an online ‘community of learning’ within which you will develop a network of colleagues.

A final assessment will take place at the end of the twelve-week course, for which you will be required to electronically submit a final piece of work.

Where possible and appropriate you will be encouraged to relate this unit to your own working practice.

Course delivery

The course combines practical exercises with input from industry experts as well as current supporting theory. You will be encouraged to reflect on your progress while working through the course materials and exercises and developing your verbal and written communication skills.

Who is the course for?

• Independent business owners and staff
• High street/head office managers and staff
• Those thinking of setting up a fashion or design-led business
• Those thinking of a future career in social media/marketing
• Those wishing to refresh or enhance their existing professional skills and improve and update their CV
• Those interested in learning more about the design or fashion industries.

Key details

• Unit code: UPDU047P
• Duration: 12 weeks
• Online attendance: scheduled learning sessions.
• Expected total study time: 100 hours
• Location: online
• Credit: 10 credits at Level 4 (First year degree level)
• Certificate: 10 credits
• Fee: £350

Contact

For further enquiries or to apply for a place on this course, please contact Lisa Mann.

Email: lisa.mann@solent.ac.uk|
Telephone: +44 (0)23 8031 9386