Class Outline

In this two-hour class, you will learn how to design a social media strategy that meets your company's unique needs, goals and resources. This class is designed for professionals at both B2C and B2B companies with a basic understanding of how to use a social network.

First, we'll start with an overview of the top social networks and how a business might consider using each of them. Those networks include:

• LinkedIn
• Facebook
• Google+
• Twitter 
• Pinterest
• YouTube

Then we will look at two case studies of Chicago-based businesses that excel in using social media. The first business will be B2C and the second business will be B2B. Together, we'll analyze how each business set up its profiles, shares content, engages with their followers and responds to questions/complaints using social media.

From there, you will learn how to design a social media strategy customized to your business. The strategy's steps will include:

• Auditing your existing social media approach and available resources
• Discovering how your target customer is currently using social media
• Deciding which networks to focus on and what kinds of content to share on them
• Planning how you will handle customer service and public relations using social media
• Creating company guidelines for how your employees can use social media at work
• Determining how you can ultimately convert a follower into a paying customer

Additional Information

A light lunch will be available beginning at 1:00 p.m. Class will begin at 1:30 p.m. and end at 3:30 p.m. sharp.

Handouts will be provided. You do not need to bring a laptop unless you want to use it to take notes. 

Parking is available within the Aon Building. The Mid America Club is located on the 80th floor of the Aon Building. For more information about the Mid America Club, please click here.

Discounted Tickets

One ticket for each of our classes is $175 per person. If you purchase two or more tickets for any class, the price of each ticket is reduced to $150.

Please select "Discounted Ticket" when ordering your tickets. Unfortunately, you will need to register separately for each class at this time. 

If you have problems purchasing a ticket, please contact Tracy directly via email or at 312-649-5294.

About Our Instructor

Tracy Samantha Schmidt is the director Crain's Social Media Group, a new division of Crain Communications. Social media has been central to her career in both the media and higher education.

As a reporter at Time Magazine, she covered a range of topics--including the rise of social media. She joined the Chicago Tribune in 2008 and co-created ChicagoNow, now one of Chicago's largest websites. Meanwhile, she taught several graduate-level classes on social media at DePaul University.

Those classes became the foundation for a nationwide social media education program Tracy created at Tribune in 2011. To date, more than 5,000 people have participated in that program. 

Tracy has also presented private seminars for organizations including JP Morgan Chase, the National Association of Realtors and the National Assocation of Broadcasters.

Below are two video clips of Tracy's recent seminar, Managing Your Personal Online Reputation, which she delivered in August for the readers of Crain's Chicago Business.

How to Make Your LinkedIn Profile Stand Out from Crain's Social on Vimeo.

Why It's Time to Clean Up Your Facebook Profile from Crain's Social on Vimeo.

Testimonials from Previous Attendees

"Crain’s Social Media & Your Personal Online Reputation class was an excellent synopsis of the fundamentals that have to be grasped in order to operate effectively in this realm. For some time I have been contemplating deeper involvement in social media but was unsure about the correct approach to take. This clear and concise presentation provided me with the understanding and confidence to immediately take action toward improving my company’s online presence. The handout materials provided by Tracy Samantha Schmidt also served as an excellent reference and resource outside the classroom."

-Craig Zoberis, President & CEO, Fusion OEM

 "Crain’s Managing Your Online Reputation is a great seminar for those who are breaching social media, moderately using social media, or constantly on social media. Tracy and Sean display their subject matter expertise on social media and search engine optimization, respectively, with easy to follow presentations and a relaxed tone that made novices and pros comfortable to ask all types of questions. No one can walk away without saying they didn’t learn something new or without jotting down things-to-do to better their online presence. The best part is it is informative for digital department heads as it is for professionals looking to build their personal brand. I’d recommend this seminar to any professional or business, no matter what their Klout Score."

-Jillian Potter, Communications Director, The Chicago Network

"The information provided in the seminar led by Tracy Samantha Schmidt for Crain’s Social Media Group was informative and insightful. The presenters were articulate and provided information that was relevant to attendees across a variety of industries whose level of understanding around social media ranged from beginner to expert. I am now in the process of transferring some of that knowledge to our company’s business process, as well as my personal and professional profiles online – definitely a worthy investment of time and money to attend the  Social Media & Your Personal Online Reputation seminar."

-Jaime M. Janisse, Operations Manager, Daubenspeck and Associates, Ltd.

About Crain's Social Media Group

Crain's Social is a new division of Crain Communications that provides corporate training seminars and customized curriculum development to businesses nationwide. We also regularly offer classes at our offices in Chicago, New York and Detroit. Learn more at CrainsSocial.com.

Questions?

Please email Tracy or call her directly at 312-649-5294.