Social media is a skill not a job?
This blog will outline the reasons that understanding basic social media skills is a must in business today as its not longer only a function in an organization of any size.
Not that many years ago being a typist was a skill and businesses would have rooms full of typists that just typed all day every day. You were judged on how many words you could type a minute and how few mistakes you would make.
There were training centres and even competitions world wide. It was a job and a popular one since 1930.
Today typing is a skill and a fundamental one. There as skill competitions but now they are for the smart phone with various national championships but in general being able to type is a given and a required business skill.
At one time using a photocopier was a job too. The machines were huge and required a dedicated person or team of people who were able and aloud to copy. It was a job just like the typist. Today anyone can copy the machines are simple and once you have used one you can generally work out another. Using the photocopier is a skill and no longer a job.
Originally using social media was just for the kids, then like all things marketers ruined it and came into it to try and push messages nobody really wanted. Eventually businesses realised and often kicking and screaming started using social media. It was often given to an intern or the marketing assistant or the youngest person in the company because "they get it".
As it became more apparent that social was actually a fantastic tool for lead generation and building relationships and then it became a job.
Today I don't think business owners think social is a waste of time and in fact are starting to take it much more seriously.
But with social now becoming integrated and central to everyday communication outside the business it has a direct impact on the business. For example if people express dissatisfaction at their work day on social media it does not look good for the brand whatever the size.
Also understanding that in-sourcing and getting employees as advocates for your brand is really very powerful and in fact often has more impact that if a MD or CEO does the same.
Today I believe that social media is a fundamental business skill like typing an copying and business owners of all sizes need all employees to understand the basics of social media etiquette and outline their corporate and HR policies and responsibilities.
By all means use an outside agency if you need the help but I would encourage training as well or instead. Another blog on in-sourcing another day.
There are some great social media trainers around and also some really poor outsourcing agents that will just push sales based messages on your behalf and call it strategy. The best ones offer regular training and are on the speaking circuit and have real creditability in your area.
Budget for this, and not just once. Social media is evolving as such a rate that nobody can really consider themselves completely 100% up-to date. Regular top up courses are a must and new employees should be encouraged to take fundamental courses in person on on-line.
With the right training and the right implementation social should and can be a culture in your business.
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Author- Speaker - Consultant. Passionate about all things digital.