A Social Media Conference
If you work in marketing and advertising, or have anything to do with it, I can not overemphasize the value of attending a great conference. There are plenty of awesome opportunities across Canada and the U.S., including the upcoming SocialWest Digital Marketing Conference organized by Mike Morrisson!
IRL (In-Real-Life) experiences allow you to invest in your education, renew your excitement in what you do, and offer an opportunity to connect with like-minded individuals. It’s basically a chance to sharpen your saw of knowledge with fresh ideas and a new approach so that you can be more efficient and effective in your work. After all, you can’t chop wood with a dull tool.
Where else does one have the opportunity to learn of the latest industry trends AND connect with key individuals that will directly answer your questions? If you’re thinking college or university, you’re correct, but schooling is only one aspect of developing your social media marketing skill-set.
Most post-secondary institutions cannot keep up with the pace of change that digital marketing demands.The academic system isn’t aligned to respond to the rapid shift in technology, the migration of users from one social network to the next, or the rules and regulations governing market data and the collection/ use of personal information for marketing purposes. It takes time to develop a curriculum, to find a knowledgeable instructor and to deliver the raw content of an industry that can shift overnight.
Students of marketing and advertising learn the fundamentals of design, market research and digital strategy, but they lack the experience to produce or launch an effective campaign. These are the kinds of insights one learns at a conference from industry experts, many of whom eat, breathe and sleep digital.
I’m attending SocialWest both as a speaker and a conference attendee. How exciting! There are 30 speakers anticipated. Some of the speakers work for heavy-hitter brands, some work in boutique agencies (just like mine) and every one of them offers real world experience and up-to-date information on how to succeed in this crazy industry.
If everything I’ve shared hasn’t sold you on purchasing your ticket, I’ll share one last secret. I have it on good authority that you’re going to lose it (in a good way) when you learn of the full line up, the range of activities, and of course the after-parties surrounding SocialWest.
If you would like to attend, I believe there are still early-bird rates on. Check it out.
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