Careers in Social Media

November 2, 2010Emerging Media & CommunicationsUniversity of Texas at Dallas

Kendall Shifflerwww.loweroaklawn.com

wwww.entertaininglife.com

“So how did you become a full-time blogger?”

Photo © Dallas Morning News, April 2010

When you’re 11 years old..

Road to becoming a full-time blogger

1. Contact Lenses

2. CHI

3. Geek = Chic

So what do you do?

• Blogger = Writer, Reporter, Copy Editor, Photographer, Videographer, Customer Service Rep, Webmaster

• A bit about Lower Oak Lawn…

Quick Fact: Visit http://www.youplusdallas.com/neighborhoods/lower-oak-lawn for more video about the Dallas Design District.

http://www.loweroaklawn.com/

Dallas Design District

Education & Experience

• School: University of Mississippi• Majors: International Studies & Spanish• Websites: Hobby = Cash

– Sorority website & e-communications– College webmaster– Friend & small business sites

• 1st Job: City of Dallas, International Business

• Dream Job: Full Time Blogger

Lessons Learned

• Experience is sometimes as important as education

BUT

• Your education will give you a leg up on the competition

Quick Tip: Your personal work counts as “years experience”

Five Things You Must do to Land a Job in Social Media

1. Get an Education

2. Get Experience

3. Start Writing

4. Brand Yourself

5. Build your Network

1. Get an Education

• You’re on the right track!

2. Get Experience

• Internships• Summer or Part-Time Jobs• Volunteer Work

3. Start Writing!

• If you want to be a blogger, you MUST have a blog!

• If you want to have a job in social media, you must be actively using it.

• You will be asked for writing samples

Quick Tip: Need help getting started? Visit problogger.net and copyblogger.com for great blogging and social media tips & tricks.

4. Brand Yourself

• It’s not just your facebook page you need to worry about anymore…

• Maintain professionalism and brand standards on everything from your blog to twitter, and even your resume!

• Search Engine Optimize for YOU

5. Build Your Network

• Online– Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, etc.

• In Person– Networking events, tweet ups, etc.

Quick Fact: Dallas ranks 11th for most business users of social networks in a study by NetProspex.

Where can you find Jobs in Social Media?

• Linked In• Social Media Club of Dallas• PRSA• Indeed.com• Websites & social profiles of your

favorite brands…

Job Search Tip: Several social media marketers have created their own jobs by becoming brand advocates on their own. When all else fails, create your own position!

Speaking of…Vote for Me!www.fulltimefabulous.com

Questions?

Connect with Me:

www.loweroaklawn.com

facebook.com/loweroaklawn.com

twitter.com/loweroaklawn

www.linkedin.com/in/kendallshiffler

twitter.com/kendallanne

Visit my Sites:

Quick Tip: I love coffee. Buy me a cup and I’d be happy to meet with you to talk over any career questions you have!