I saw a 'social marketing VA certification' class on this website a few minutes ago but now I can't find the link. I wanted to ask if anyone knew anything about a social marketing VA certification from this organization, VAclassroom but I can't guide you there because the class is not listed directly from their website. Anyway, here is the company website for their regular internet marketing VA classes. Please let me know if anyone has heard of them. The company website seems rather sparse.

http://http://www.vaclassroom.com/

The social marketing VA certification was $400.

Jan

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www.YourVirtualWizard.com

Jan,
This is brand new program that I believe they just started today. It's my understanding that they have just developed the content and allowed 40 people to sign up for this first round. I did their Internet Marketing Certification course and it does have good content and Craig Cannings, the owner, is pretty thorough. I don't know though that the certification part is all that important. You can probably place more value on what you actually learn and can apply in your practice.

I think the price is a little steep and when I attended the webinar announcing this course, I didn't see much being offered that I didn't feel I couldn't or hadn't learned on my own- but then again, I've been hitting the social media research pretty hard lately. But if you want a nicely designed course that will provide you with some structure, then it might be worth it. I suspect though that the price may come down in the future. (That's just my guess though.)

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Kimberly
http://www.jkvirtualoffice.com

Guess what, I'm taking the course! First class was today and it's great so far. The price was steep for me, but I'm thinking that being able to tell clients I'm certified in the field will be an assurance for them, and I do see the service as being definitely in demand. Also, I've been only slightly involved with the social networking world, and this is a way to get it all in a nutshell. (Kimberly, you are already an expert, so I can see why you responded as you did. Maybe you should organize a course!) Moreover, the course focuses on how to organize your services to be the best help to clients ... often, what's called for is teaching/coaching your clients and promoting a Web 2.0 approach to marketing. This is very new territory to a lot of small businesses, and VAs can help by providing well-structured strategic planning.

Anyhow, I think the course is full for this go-round, but there surely will be more, and likely at lower cost. So far, I recommend it!

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Mary H. Ruth/Virtual Writing & Communications
http://www.writingVA.com

VA Classroom Internet Marketing Certificaiton is awesome and I bet the social media one is also also. I agree with the price and if you do not have expert knowledge in the social media then I suggest every non sm savvy va to take it. Social Meida is exploding and will make loads of profits for everyone. I myself am very savvy in the social media already so didn't feel that the amount was worth it however if the price goes down I will take the course preferralby self study just to have the certifcation credientials. The more credentials you have the more you are wanted and the more you make.

There are also allot of people that think they know about social media but in the end they do not know as much as they think they know or should know. However the course may not be best for the already experts unless you like the certification credentials.

I agree with what everyone has said. I'm anxious to hear more about how you like the course, Mary. I'm sure that you will get lots out of it.

The key to using social media marketing with our clients will be in knowing how to use it as a marketing tool. It will also be important to understand the ins and outs of the "how" social media is used these days for marketing (that is, creating relationships & connections vs. in your face advertising) as well as being able to help your clients create a specific social media strategy that meets their needs, outcomes and business type. It's more than just setting up a profile for them. As Mary mentioned it's also about educating them on how to use it. That's where your real value as a social media VA will come in.

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Kimberly
http://www.jkvirtualoffice.com

Scarcasole, I believe being wanted has more to do with how well one is marketed and the degree of experience in that field; more so than credentials.

"The more credentials you have the more you are wanted and the more you make. "

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www.YourVirtualWizard.com

Sorry what I meant was the more opportunities you will have because the interent marketing world is booming and is in high demand. IF you have the social media and/or interent marketing credentials you will have a full practice very quickly. I view many ads in a day and see many different ads from different directories, associations etc and 80% to 90% of the ads are looking for internet marketing experience, customer service, website design and graphic design. Administration, bookkeeping etc is maybe 10% to 20%
(if that) of the ads.

I market myself hardcore online and offline and have grown my buisness very rapidly and it all has to do with the knowledge of online businesses etc.

I disagree with the degree of experience in the field becuase there are many people that have been in administration for many years that may not have as much knowledge as the person who has been in the field for let's say 5 years etc. I do agree on how well one is marketed though.


Having credentials gives you opportunties such as being listed in more directories etc. If you want guranteed income and not want to suffer with the economy then I suggest going the online route i.e. internet marketing, social media marketing, website design, graphic design etc.

The credentials simply add to the marketing aspect in that you can say that you have them and that (hopefully) that credential comes with the ability for you to say you have completed specific training in this area- it gives you something to use to market yourself in terms of what knowledge you have for those tasks.

I think some clients like to see that and others don't really care. Having a credential might get the client to call you but really they are going to know by how you present yourself and how well you speak to the topics they are interested in as to whether or not they feel you have the experience they seek- which I think is perhaps also part of the point that Serena was trying to make (Serena, please correct me if I'm wrong about that)

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Kimberly
http://www.jkvirtualoffice.com

Yes you are correct. It all has to do with what you know and how you market yourself. The more you know the better. When I say having credentials is more opportunities I mean that in a "marketing" way and also the added bonus to be listed on a directory as an expert.

This is an interesting thread as I have been thinking of taking the 'Internet Marketing' certification that has been mentioned but have been hesitating as I wasn't sure of the quality. It is nice to know that it comes highly recommended. My question to those of you who have taken it...is most of the content taught via video or is there material that is provided to work through as well?

Tammy