Why Study Social Media?

# Why You Should Consider Studying Social Media Marketing

You may be asking yourself why you should attend college to study social media.

Over the years, social media has grown from what was initially called “New Media” to being a
phenomenon all in itself. As the internet has grown since its inception, no longer is it enough
to just have a website — much more needs to be done if a business is to effectively reach a
customer and make a sale among all their competitors and other online interests that the
customer has.

## More Than Just Posting

Social Media Marketing is a specialised aspect that falls within the overall Marketing industry.
While many small companies feel that social media marketing is enough — just posting a few times
on Facebook will not earn long term customers, or foster brand loyalty.

This is where learning social media marketing in a formal course will benefit any individual who
chooses to pursue this path. With frequent changes on all the social media platforms, regarding
rules, platform layout, and more, social media marketing is becoming a specialised skill that one
can no longer claim to be an expert on based simply on being self-taught.

Previously, it was easy enough to attain a social media job by keeping an updated personal blog
and owning a personal Facebook profile. But not anymore — nowadays prospective clients want a
portfolio or case studies of social media accounts that you have managed before. While the
question of ethics and client privacy comes into that topic, the basic premise is that clients
want proof that you have specialist knowledge in the subject and are capable of what you plan to do.

## Experience Alone Isn’t Enough

It’s a common misconception by people who enjoy using social media and post multiple times a day
that they are social media experts. Often these people will post in online groups asking about how
they can get started as a social media manager. Evidently they need direction, but without proper
training, they may find themselves falling short when it comes to sustainable long term marketing
for their clients. This is where formal training can help fill in the gaps.

That said, if you’ve already been working in marketing, communications, or have been managing
social media accounts professionally, your existing experience shouldn’t be overlooked. In
Australia, there are pathways that allow your prior work and skills to be formally recognised
before enrolling in a course — potentially reducing the time and cost of your study journey.
A good starting point to explore this is RP,
which outlines how Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) works within the Australian
qualifications framework.

## The KCBT Difference

At KCBT, we offer the only nationally accredited social media qualification — the
10118NAT Diploma of Social Media Marketing. This classroom-based course runs for 36 weeks,
in which time the student will learn transferable skills such as:

• 📊 Market research
• 🎯 Audience profiling
• 📅 Project planning & management
• 📈 Results analysis and reporting At the end of the course, the student emerges with a qualification that opens doors for them.

Contact the team at KCBT if you wish to find out more about the course, how you can join, and when our next intake is.