When asked how Social Media Strategist certification through the National Institute for Social Media has helped his social media team, Ben Theis stated, “I think it really has done what I wanted it to do, and helps us stand out from the competition and give us that added credibility.”  Mr. Ben Theis and his social media team at Skol Marketing became the first agency in Minnesota to be SMS certified through the National Institute for Social Media.

As businesses continue to rely on social media to promote their goods and services, they are looking to become more educated about social media strategy. The SMS certification program through the National Institute for Social Media provides individuals the opportunity to stay current on social media trends and best practices.

The social media staff at Skol Marketing chose to do the self-study option for SMS certification. The self-study option allows the individual to take their learning into their own hands while making sure they can access an instructor and resources necessary to assist with questions that may arise.  The best structure for self-study includes the self-study guide, which helps walk through the study process like a workbook.

Once the training program was complete, each individual staff member successfully passed a 3-hour, 165 question exam that assessed their competence in the following 6 areas: Strategic Planning, Compliance & Governance, Marketing & Communications, Project Management, Online Community Management, and Research & Analysis.

About Skol Marketing: Based in Saint Louis Park, Minnesota, Skol Marketing is an agency dedicated to helping you create, build and maintain your online presence. Services they offer include web development, social media management, consulting, workshops, and search engine optimization.

About the National Institute for Social Media: The National Institute for Social Media (NISM) is dedicated to social media certification and education for professional social media practitioners. Our curriculum is designed by educators and leaders in digital marketing and communication to validate the core skills essential for success in the various vocations of social media. Not only does NISM offer exceptional education it’s a life-long community for professional development, continuing education and sharing best practices.