The best resources for learning about social media

At AMR Digital Marketing, we love getting all of your questions about social media. Recently, we have been getting a highly asked question that really stands out. People who are looking to expand their social media following or trying to get their foot in the door come to us and ask what the single best resource is they can use to learn more about social media to really solidify their knowledge.

This is somewhat of a loaded question. The short answer is there is no one resource that can teach you everything you need to know about social media and magically get your account growing. And often, many of the programs that claim that they can do this are fairly expensive and provide no guarantee. But think about it, a key aspect of social media, is that it’s constantly evolving. It is literally the compilation of millions of users and their activity and preferences. There are continuously new updates coming out, new trends, new ways to advertise, etc. Social media is all about what is happening in real time and users’ responses. And that is something that no class or program can teach.

At the same time, we understand that learning the basics is crucial for success. So, we have compiled a list of some of the best resources to learn more about media.

1. Blog Posts

Blog posts are great for getting up to date information on new features, the latest hacks for all things social, step by step guides and more. You may not even realize that you are already using blogs posts to build your knowledge, as they are often the first few hits that pop up when you google a social media related question or concept. Some of our favorite social media blogs are Sprout Social, Hootsuite, and Later. 

2. Platform’s Websites

When people have questions about social media, they often forget to check out the platform’s own website. Every major social media platform has its own website, which is often loaded with educational information, information on new updates and features, and methods of contacting them directly. For example, Instagram’s website is packed full of information about their latest features and tips for businesses when using their platform.

3.   Social Media Agencies

If you are serious about getting your social media account up and running but don’t have the time to dive into doing the research yourself, hiring a social media marketing agency could be a great option. It is their job to be up to date on all things social media and will walk you through the steps needed to meet your goals.

4. Be a User on a Platform

And finally, perhaps the best way to learn the ins and outs of a specific platform is to get on it! Make a profile and start posting content, engaging with users, and exploring all that it has to offer. If your first response to this is there is no way you’re ready to start running your own social media, the hard truth is that you’ll probably never feel like you are fully ready. Rip off the band-aid and get started! One thing is for sure – you’ll learn a ton.

It is important to note that the true power and success of social media is most evident when using a combination of all these resources. A well-rounded, holistic knowledge is key. And that means utilizing ALL the resources available to you.

Let us know what your favorite resources are when it comes to learning about social media in the comments below, we’d love to hear from you! And if you are interested in talking to a social media expert – reach out to us today at hello@amrdigitalmarketing.com. We would love to answer all of your questions!

Written By: Leah Ross, AMR Digital Marketing, Copywriter