Social Media for Creative Practitioners

• Credit value: 30 credits at Level 5
• Assessment: a comparative analysis of a personal brand (25%), a professional blog/webpage (35%) and social media plan/implementation (40%)

Having a professional and strategic approach to your personal profile on the internet is essential for being known in your sector and for promoting yourself effectively. For creative professionals, who may work freelance or start their own company, the need to clearly and convincingly articulate their skills and experience online is a given if they are be successful. It is now the norm for employers and professional peers to check applicants or potential collaborators online.

This module analyses some of the fundamental features of professional online self-presentation, with a focus on the media and creative industries. You will develop a social media strategy to enhance and grow your personal brand and your profile to potential employers, audiences or customers. This will include: comparatively analysing different social media platforms; developing a professional blog or web page; and planning and delivering a well-conceived social media presence across platforms such as Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, SoundCloud and YouTube.

Indicative module content

• Critical introduction to social media
• Mapping the social media landscape for creative practitioners
• Your online identity: From personal profile to professional brand
• Online presence and offline encounters
• Social media strategy
• Social media analytics
• Best practices in online accessibility and user experience
• Developing a blog/personal website
• Planning and running a social media project