Who should attend

This course is aimed at anyone with an interest in  expanding  his/her knowledge on how best to apply Social Media to business practices. Professionals working in a marketing/communications function in small, medium and large businesses or agencies will benefit especially.

Admission requirements

Participants must have a solid knowledge of how the Internet is used as a tool for business, and must be familiar with the various Social Media tools.

How you will benefit

After completing this course, participants will understand the ins and outs of applying Social Media to business, including:

• How Social Media can be used to engage with your consumers and build online communities
• The use of Social Media tools as direct sales channels
• Managing the online reputation of a brand using Social Media channels
• How Social Media can be used as a means of providing consumers with direct avenues to reach their brand
• Increasing awareness about a brand and reaching a large audience through Social Media

 

Certification

On successful completion of the course, participants will receive a certificate from the University of Stellenbosch. Participants must obtain an average of at least 50% across the assignments and research project. Participants will also receive a virtual course badge which they can add to their website, blog or social network.

Content overview

ABOUT THE COURSE
The course runs over a period of six weeks, and is completed online. The content of the course will focus on case studies that illustrate how the tools of Social Media have provided solutions, opportunities and challenges for dealing with real business challenges.

COURSE OUTLINE
MODULE 1: An Introduction
The first  module of  the course  introduces  students  to Social  Media and takes  a brief  look at  the evolution of  Social  Media and how it  is  used today.  We will cover the major tools and platforms available, as well as the challenges which businesses may experience when it comes to integrating Social Media into their marketing strategies.

MODULE 2: Social Media for Community Building and Engagement Social Media provides valuable opportunities for brands to engage with their consumers and to build strong brand relationships.  The module will provide examples which show how brands have used various Social Media platforms for community building and engaging.

MODULE 3: Social Media for Sales Module 3 will take a look at how certain brands have managed to turn Social Media tools into direct sales channels.  Case studies will show how this is done and illustrate the possibilities for increasing sales.

MODULE 4: Social Media for Reputation As more and more consumers are engaging on the Internet, it is becoming increasingly important to manage the reputation of your brand on line. In this module students will learn how to understand what shapes your brand’s online reputation and how Social Media channels can be accessed to monitor and manage it.

MODULE 5: Social Media for Support
The fifth module covers how Social Media can be used as a means of providing consumers with direct avenues to reach their brand. This can be useful for brands to offer excellent customer service and provides an alternative to call centres, emails, etc.

MODULE 6: Social Media for Awareness
Social Media provides an opportunity to reach a large audience and build up a targeted following. This final module will teach you how best to engage via Social Media with people who are already interested in your brand, and this will be explained through the use of a case study.

Students’ knowledge will be tested each week with an assignment which will focus on the topic for that week. At the beginning of the course the students will be given a research project to complete by the end of the four weeks.

 

NQF complexity level

This programme is presented on the complexity level of NQF 7.

Date and Venue

Online

4 courses

• 24 February - 13 April 2012
  (Register by 17 February 2012)

• 4 May - 15 June 2012
  (Register by 27 April 2012)

• 6 August - 21 September 2012
  (Register by 30 July 2012)

• 2 November - 14 December 2012
  (Register by 26 October 2012)

COURSE DELIVERY

Interaction with the students on the course will take place via the Quirk Education Learning Centre – an online platform designed to facilitate easy interaction between the students themselves, as well as between the students and course convenors.

The course material will also be presented online in various formats:

• Course notes
• Video lectures
• Discussion forum
• Weekly assignments
• Recommended reading

Academic support will be provided to the students via the discussion forum, and the course convenors can be contacted via email or telephone.

Fees

R5900 / £530 / $855

You can pay online when you register for the course using the online registration form.

The full course fee is due before the course starts. You need to pay a 50% deposit within 7 days of your registration in order to confirm your spot on the course. The balance needs to be settled before the course start date. If you want to pay over two months you need to register earlier so that you can make use of this option.

HOW TO REGISTER:

• Click here
• Click on the register now button .
• Fill in your details on the online registration form.
• Someone from the Quirk Education team will be in contact to confirm your place on the course.

Cancellation Policy

If you wish to cancel your place on the course and obtain a full refund you need to notify us in writing by the day on which registrations close. Cancellations after this date do not qualify for a refund.