social media internships tips suzanne mcdonald of designated editor, university of rhode island
DESCRIPTION
Social media internships tips: What does it take to be a social media intern? What to look for in a potential intern? How can new skills boost overall strategy to boost business and career growth?TRANSCRIPT
Social Media Internships
What’s on the other side of the digital-generational divide
Suzanne McDonald | Content & Social Strategist
Designated Editor Speaking Series
@Sue_DesigEditor
#URISMS
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6 years
Masters in Journalism & Mass Communications
Social Media Strategies professor
suzanne’s experience
Founder
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challenges for digital natives
• Non-native colleagues & bosses
• A lack of experience, which is natural
• Work-ethic ideology differences
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challenges for non-digital natives • Assumptions about digital natives
• Can figure it out
• Know your business
• They don’t understand tools & limitations
• Social can’t solve all your problems
• Doesn’t take much investment
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let’s address those challenges Where does this information come from?
• URI Social Media Strategies students
• Designated Editor staff, mostly in their 20s
• I’m a Gen X, they said similar things about us
• Widely read Social Media books
• LinkedIn Answers survey with 30+ respondents
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VP of Creative Services Vanessa Montes
Social Media Adviser, Nexus Marketing Social Media and e-Commerce
New hires have to be • Creative • Marketing-oriented • Savvy: mobile, web, video, design, apps, social • Great communications skills • And astute
Expect very little training. Pick it up quickly.
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what can brands expect? Interns Make Coffee Not Social Media Strategies
• They don’t know your brand / culture / perspective
• They have no vested interest
• Should an intern plan a major PR event?
• Do they know marketing?
• Can they relate to your target market?
• They are gone before you know it Social Media Marketing by Li Evans Chapter 3
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digital natives’ advantages
What are your assets and how do you appear?
• Not just getting you, also getting your network
• You're willing to be accessible at any time
• They’ll know you more by your profiles
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quick to skill up
Susan Payton President, Egg Marketing & Communications: The Marketing Eggspert, Internet Marketing firm
Be quick to pick up new skills & take on more than their job description.
For marketing, certainly a solid grasp of social media is necessary.
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larger issues at hand Lionel Sim Director of Sales at TravelClick hotel e-commerce
The problem often lies with the senior management who may not be that tech-savvy or inclined toward social media. These gaps and expectations will be a conflict source, especially with social media campaigns.
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it's not all about Facebook Dave Delage Senior Web Marketing Manager, Ottawa, Canada
I find most Gen Y hires coming in are very in tune with the latest technology, and are eager to apply it to any situation, without performing the due diligence...
I think they need to spend more time thinking through why an idea will work.
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don’t overlook little things
Graham Clarke founder, Dealicio.com, web service for web publishers
We want people that can learn, solve problems and be responsible for what they do. Good communication skills are also important.
Constantly amazed by grammar and spelling errors.
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who should you intern for? • Look at the website
• Who is on the team?
• Is the brand social?
• Who are the clients?
• Match up with you goals?
Social Media Marketing by Li Evans Chapter 44
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tools can be taught Douglas Haslam Client Services Supervisor, Voce Communications
My fear is that people will say "fluent in social media" or some such nonsense. Tools can be taught.
I would look for good writing skills, the ability to work quickly and creatively, and, I know this is a vague word, courage.
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multimedia & copywriting Amy Rutter Digital Marketing Consultant at zero G media Ltd, Brighton-based digital media agency
A new hire essentially needs to be
• Able to be a copywriter/copyeditor
• Adapt writing style for print/web etc.
• Make & edit videos & podcasts
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be smarter but ...
Be smarter than me when it comes to technology. It's a different world ... and anyone coming out of college knows the ins and outs way more than I do.
Anyone 5 yrs younger than me knows 10x what I know about technology. I'm actually okay with it; you should learn something new everyday.
AnnMarie Grohs Sales & Marketing Manager at Morton's The Steakhouse
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Find a job __________
Socialnomics by Erik Qualman p.225
Tools to use • Craigslist • Plaxo • LinkedIn • Video resume • Feedback from peers, bosses, subordinates • Search for those with the same name • Glassdoor
Jobs find you
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tools to use to land a job Complete your profile
Be professional
Get a smartphone
What interests you most?
Give some Tweet love
Utilize Search and hashtags
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get your blog on • Ask questions and then round up the replies
• Summarize and elaborate on several posts
• Link to thought-leaders, give thanks
• Don’t forget multimedia!
Search engine marketing firm director: "We expect all our employees to blog and tweet. We actually require periodic blog posts."
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how to structure • Lead with what you want do
• How it benefits your future employer
Social Media 101 by Chris Brogan p. 293
• Integrate your blog & Twitter
• Events, Reading List & SlideShare
• Post questions to Answers
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final thoughts for interns & brands
For social media, you need to understand SEO, PR, writing, and have a head for quickly adopting technology and metrics. – John Cass
Bring passion and intellectual curiosity, and enough confidence in your creativity that you know you can find a way to meet the task at hand.
– David Berkowitz
Let’s hear your questions
Social Media Internships
Suzanne McDonald | Content & Social Strategist
Designated Editor Speaking Series
@Sue_DesigEditor
#URISMS