 There may be a connection between poor social networking skills and unemployment. Detroit, which has one of the of the highest unemployment rates in the nation according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, was recently cited as one of the "least socially-networked" cities in the country. Mashable.com, a popular social media blog, listed Detroit 94 out of 100 cities assessed for its social networking acumen.
Social media is the phenomenon that is the game-changer for businesses and job seekers today. A recent front-page article in the Wall Street Journal said technology jobs are hot again with Google, Apple, Youtube and Skype leading the hiring boom. But in a recent C-Span broadcast, U.S. Rep. Jesse Jackson Jr. (D-IL) blames the iPad (produced by Apple) for eliminating thousands of jobs in the U.S. (See video http://youtu.be/D5X8W7MgbhM)
"Learning social media is a way of life. We have to face that fact. Ipads aren't taking jobs - but creating new ones. Social media provides a new method for generating buzz, shaping a brand, creating a reputation, getting media attention and bringing in new business," said Pam Perry, a certified social media strategist located in metropolitan Detroit.
"Typically when a business is savvy and gets traction on Facebook, Twitter and Linkedin, they see an increase in revenue because they are reaching more customers faster, further and cheaper." Building a personal brand is also important when in the job-hunting mode. "If you're not online, you will get left behind," said Hajj Flemings, who was recently cited by BlackEnterprise.com as a "Twitter Person to Know." He is also the Founder of Brand Camp University. "Social media allows you to brand yourself. How people view you today is directly related to your online profile and information you distribute through the social media channels - and the friends you interact with."
Both Perry and Flemings regularly teach and speak about social media strategies in Detroit and around the country. Perry, who is hosting a seminar at Schoolcraft College on May 14, is adamant about showing metro Detroiters to get some swagger and confidence in their social media skills at her "Social Media Swag" seminar. Flemings is also hosting an event, Brand Camp '11: Personal Branding 2.0 Conference in New York City on May 24.
Not only is social media critical for business marketing and personal branding, but employers often use social media to screen job candidates. "I interview 20 to 25 people a week and look at about 100 resumes, but I also view candidate's online activity. If their social media messaging is off or not congruent with what the position calls for, this is a way we weed them out," said Tammy Turner, of Detroit, who is the owner Kapstone Recruiting & Training Services, LLC and author of a professional networking book, How To Talk To Strangers. "We also judge people by the company they keep - so if their online connections are skeptical, we figure they probably are not the ideal candidate," said Turner.
"Anyone can learn social media. I am determined to teach the tactics and show people it's real easy to dominate the search engines and attract business, build a brand and beat out your competition for a job," said Perry. "I especially want to empower Baby Boomers and minority business owners to have some confidence online, that's why I created the Social Media Swag seminar - and coming soon the web show which we'll stream online."
The Social Media Swag Seminar will be on Saturday, May 14 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., at Schoolcraft College, VistaTech Center, 18600 Haggerty in Livonia, Michigan. The cost for materials and the session is $147 before May 13. For more information or interview Pam Perry, call 248-426-2300 or visit Social Media Swag Seminar Site
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Ministry Marketing Solutions Inc., founded in 2000, is an online branding and social media agency that provides services for best-selling authors, nonprofit organizations and entrepreneurs. For more information, www.ministrymarketingsolutions.com.
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About Ministry Marketing Solutions, Inc.
Ministry Marketing Solutions, Inc. is a marketing consulting and public relations agency that brings a high level of understanding of positioning, branding, and promoting products and services that target the African American Christian Market (AACM).
Pam Perry is a ministry marketing pioneer and expert in the African American Christian market. Her public relations and advertising career spans over two decades. She spent the first ten years working in ad agencies and secular media. She has dedicated the past ten to ministry marketing. Her company has a roster of some of the most well known Christian publishers and African American Christian authors in the industry.
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