Social Media Certification?

mscopeland · 10-25-2009, 08:47 PM

I just ran across an email about becoming an ISMA Certified Social Media Specialist. The President of the organization is Mari Smith.
Now Mari knows what she's talking about and has helped many people understand and use Social Media and Facebook to grow their business.

I guess my question is, do we need a certification?

When I first started in IT I was Cisco Certified and it got my foot in the door to a well paying job and all the ones after that. What business is looking for applicants with an ICSMS certification after their names? How many Social Media jobs are out there?

What are your thoughts on this?

Here's a link to the site so you will know more.

ISMA Professional Certification - International Social Media Association

Rich Struck · 10-25-2009, 08:53 PM

I don't think we need a certification but it looks interesting anyway. Any idea what the cost is?

mscopeland · 10-25-2009, 08:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rich Struck

Any idea what the cost is?

Per the link provided:

"ONLY $2795 for platinum members!

*$2845 for premium members or $2995* for basic members"

Rich Struck · 10-25-2009, 08:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mscopeland

Per the link provided:

"ONLY $2795 for platinum members!

*$2845 for premium members or $2995* for basic members"

Ah okay I missed it somehow. Eh.... I think that is far too much to pay for information you could probably find yourself for free. Yes, it is nice to have it all in one place but IMHO that is just too expensive.

BradCarroll · 10-25-2009, 09:09 PM

If you're part of the corporate world and can get someone else to pay for it, then it might be worth what you spend...

mscopeland · 10-25-2009, 09:10 PM

It is expensive, but in the world of certification training, it's about average. If you go for an MCSE or CCNA certification you may pay about the same thing. The only difference is, of you search for jobs with those certifications, there are thousands accross the US.

I don't know if there will be a demand for a SMSCertification, or if businesses would hire for social media jobs. I know there are, just not a lot.

I could see this benefiting consultants though. "Why should I choose you over consultant 2?" "Well I'm a certified Social Media Specialist."

BradCarroll · 10-25-2009, 09:25 PM

Hi Michael I think you've got it right, I know people who pay more than this for a three-day business seminar. Just trying to make a joke at the expense of the corporate world.

Social media are already catching on as "the next big thing(s)" and I bet this kind of thing will be better than being "Microsoft Certified", like people were doing 10 years ago.

MichaelHiles · 10-25-2009, 09:31 PM

Certification in anything is only as good as the "body" that is granting the certification.

Like an "accredited college" or... Microsoft MCSD or Oracle OCP.

Most of the HR people I know would belly laugh at the idea of "social media certification".... I can hear the questions now... "You mean you're formally trained on how to make compelling wall posts on Facebook?" or "You have 10 hours of hands on with syndicating your status updates through ping.fm"

Don't mean to rain on Mari's parade, but this is going to be useful to her bank account, and not much more in the corporate setting.

seasoned · 10-25-2009, 09:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MichaelHiles

Certification in anything is only as good as the "body" that is granting the certification.

Like an "accredited college" or... Microsoft MCSD or Oracle OCP.

Most of the HR people I know would belly laugh at the idea of "social media certification".... I can hear the questions now... "You mean you're formally trained on how to make compelling wall posts on Facebook?" or "You have 10 hours of hands on with syndicating your status updates through ping.fm"

Don't mean to rain on Mari's parade, but this is going to be useful to her bank account, and not much more in the corporate setting.

I had a customer once ask ME what I thought about certification. I said basically the SAME thing! I ALSO added that there are "brain dumps", etc... to pass tests. I have taken MANY MS tests, and was an MCSD. I did it ONLY to see what it was like, and for the PERCEIVED value.

Steve

DennisM · 10-26-2009, 12:49 AM

Hey Michael,

I hate to burst your bubble Chief but some of us "HR" folks out there do value certification.

Regards,
Dennis

rockfuse · 10-26-2009, 02:26 AM

web2.0 is out web3.0 is in , who wants to spend that kind of money on information that can be obtained any where for free, these guys do not have secret information that none one else has. Those things are a big scam. I have gone to a lot of seminars and stuff and most of the time you can get more information from the warrior forum than you can there.

MichaelHiles · 10-26-2009, 06:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DennisM

Hey Michael,

I hate to burst your bubble Chief but some of us "HR" folks out there do value certification.

Regards,
Dennis

Yeah, real certification from a real entity... something more than a made up organization designed to line the pockets of the promoters from people who don't really know any better.

Hell if all you're telling me is that the HR folks I know are in the extreme minority, and they only care about certification because someone said so, I have been in the wrong business and intend to set up multiple certification bodies across a bevvy of industries post haste.

chrisalbright · 10-29-2009, 05:55 AM

Consumers always like certifications. Especially when it comes to things that might go bad (Certified Pre-Owned cars for example). It makes them feel better; that somehow the quality is vouched for by someone who knows how to judge it.

Certification (in any discipline) has two main benefits:

First, it establishes some degree of credibility for you in the eyes of someone who doesn't already know you, or has not come to know you by recommendation from a trusted friend/colleague. You get to align yourself with a brand that may already be trusted, and that trust will automatically rub off onto you in the consumer's mind. It's credibility payload also kind of depends on how well known the certifier is. For example "MCSE" is well known (at least to those who would be hiring one), but "Windows Certified User" doesn't have any weight because, (afaik) it doesn't really exist!

Second, it *may* give you some additional knowledge in that discipline. In this case, that would probably not be more than you can get on your own; especially since the social media landscape is so fluid right now. Certain specifics that are true today may not be true tomorrow, and tomorrow's truths have not yet been considered.

I guess it just boils down to will you make more money with the certification than without it? I think you should expect to make many times the cost of the certification as a result of getting it or it will be a waste of time.

By the way, if $2995 sounds like a lot... you can get my "Certified Social Media Professional" designation for only $1995, and if you join the "Amalgamated Marketers Association" today for $995 per year, I'll apply your first year's dues to the cost of your CSMP! That brings your total investment for the "Certified Social Media Professional" designation down to only $1000. A much better value indeed.

Of course I'm being glib, but it's to illustrate a point: there is no certifying body for certifying bodies. Anybody can start handing out certificates for anything, any time. So if you can't measure your direct financial benefit from investing 3 grand into certification, or if that benefit is not significant (I'm not talking break even here, I mean 5x to 10x minimum) I'd say just skip it.

DogScout · 10-29-2009, 07:11 AM

I decent graphics program and a printer... get all the certificates you need

There are corporate HR that do consider them in hiring. The brass at corporate like them as well. Try getting a gig managing a large Adwords account without Googles certification. It is the first thing a half way knowledgeable interviewer asks. (Getting a small account should be no problem though, at least for now.)

The value of any cert is many times more perceived than real, but it is relied upon many times regardless.

blur · 10-29-2009, 07:34 AM

Internet Marketing Certificate | Online Internet Marketing Course

San Fran offers a full internet marketing cert for about $5000. I would love to take it, but don't have the $5000.

seasoned · 10-29-2009, 07:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by blur

Internet Marketing Certificate | Online Internet Marketing Course

San Fran offers a full internet marketing cert for about $5000. I would love to take it, but don't have the $5000.

Gee, Market over the Internet, to get the money! ROTFLMAO!

10-25-2009, 08:47 PM	#1
mscopeland Social Media Geek War Room Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: , , USA. Posts: 168 Thanks: 18 Thanked 7 Times in 4 Posts Social Networking Contact Info	Social Media Certification? I just ran across an email about becoming an ISMA Certified Social Media Specialist. The President of the organization is Mari Smith. Now Mari knows what she's talking about and has helped many people understand and use Social Media and Facebook to grow their business. I guess my question is, do we need a certification? When I first started in IT I was Cisco Certified and it got my foot in the door to a well paying job and all the ones after that. What business is looking for applicants with an ICSMS certification after their names? How many Social Media jobs are out there? What are your thoughts on this? Here's a link to the site so you will know more. ISMA Professional Certification - International Social Media Association
	- Michael S. Copeland FREE REPORT: ====> Facebook Success <==== www.twitter.com/mscopeland http://facebook.com/mscopeland

10-25-2009, 08:53 PM	#2
Rich Struck Senior Warrior Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Scotland, SD Posts: 1,224 Thanks: 42 Thanked 277 Times in 180 Posts	Re: Social Media Certification? I don't think we need a certification but it looks interesting anyway. Any idea what the cost is?

10-25-2009, 09:09 PM	#5
BradCarroll PRs,Reports,Sales Writing War Room Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Las Vegas, NV Posts: 368 Thanks: 93 Thanked 39 Times in 30 Posts Social Networking Contact Info	Re: Social Media Certification? If you're part of the corporate world and can get someone else to pay for it, then it might be worth what you spend...
	Make Money Writing Online

10-25-2009, 09:10 PM	#6
mscopeland Social Media Geek War Room Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: , , USA. Posts: 168 Thanks: 18 Thanked 7 Times in 4 Posts Social Networking Contact Info	Re: Social Media Certification? It is expensive, but in the world of certification training, it's about average. If you go for an MCSE or CCNA certification you may pay about the same thing. The only difference is, of you search for jobs with those certifications, there are thousands accross the US. I don't know if there will be a demand for a SMSCertification, or if businesses would hire for social media jobs. I know there are, just not a lot. I could see this benefiting consultants though. "Why should I choose you over consultant 2?" "Well I'm a certified Social Media Specialist."
	- Michael S. Copeland FREE REPORT: ====> Facebook Success <==== www.twitter.com/mscopeland http://facebook.com/mscopeland

10-25-2009, 09:25 PM	#7
BradCarroll PRs,Reports,Sales Writing War Room Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Las Vegas, NV Posts: 368 Thanks: 93 Thanked 39 Times in 30 Posts Social Networking Contact Info	Re: Social Media Certification? Hi Michael I think you've got it right, I know people who pay more than this for a three-day business seminar. Just trying to make a joke at the expense of the corporate world. Social media are already catching on as "the next big thing(s)" and I bet this kind of thing will be better than being "Microsoft Certified", like people were doing 10 years ago.
	Make Money Writing Online

10-25-2009, 09:31 PM	#8
MichaelHiles Battle Scarred Warrior War Room Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Posts: 2,563 Thanks: 665 Thanked 1,780 Times in 744 Posts Social Networking	Re: Social Media Certification? Certification in anything is only as good as the "body" that is granting the certification. Like an "accredited college" or... Microsoft MCSD or Oracle OCP. Most of the HR people I know would belly laugh at the idea of "social media certification".... I can hear the questions now... "You mean you're formally trained on how to make compelling wall posts on Facebook?" or "You have 10 hours of hands on with syndicating your status updates through ping.fm" Don't mean to rain on Mari's parade, but this is going to be useful to her bank account, and not much more in the corporate setting.
	FOLLOW ME ON TWITTER!!! @MichaelHiles Circle Me on Google+... http://gplus.to/michaelhiles >>>>>>>> GET THE STRAIGHT TALK at http://www.michaelhiles.com

10-26-2009, 12:49 AM	#10
DennisM GO Cubs! War Room Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Chicago, IL USA Posts: 569 Thanks: 207 Thanked 77 Times in 51 Posts Contact Info	Re: Social Media Certification? Hey Michael, I hate to burst your bubble Chief but some of us "HR" folks out there do value certification. Regards, Dennis

10-26-2009, 02:26 AM	#11
rockfuse Local SEO Warrior Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Atlanta Posts: 137 Thanks: 1 Thanked 10 Times in 9 Posts Social Networking	Re: Social Media Certification? web2.0 is out web3.0 is in , who wants to spend that kind of money on information that can be obtained any where for free, these guys do not have secret information that none one else has. Those things are a big scam. I have gone to a lot of seminars and stuff and most of the time you can get more information from the warrior forum than you can there.
	Start a Cleaning Business Local Seo Services

10-29-2009, 05:55 AM	#13
chrisalbright Warrior Member War Room Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: California Posts: 14 Thanks: 8 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: Social Media Certification? Consumers always like certifications. Especially when it comes to things that might go bad (Certified Pre-Owned cars for example). It makes them feel better; that somehow the quality is vouched for by someone who knows how to judge it. Certification (in any discipline) has two main benefits: First, it establishes some degree of credibility for you in the eyes of someone who doesn't already know you, or has not come to know you by recommendation from a trusted friend/colleague. You get to align yourself with a brand that may already be trusted, and that trust will automatically rub off onto you in the consumer's mind. It's credibility payload also kind of depends on how well known the certifier is. For example "MCSE" is well known (at least to those who would be hiring one), but "Windows Certified User" doesn't have any weight because, (afaik) it doesn't really exist! Second, it may give you some additional knowledge in that discipline. In this case, that would probably not be more than you can get on your own; especially since the social media landscape is so fluid right now. Certain specifics that are true today may not be true tomorrow, and tomorrow's truths have not yet been considered. I guess it just boils down to will you make more money with the certification than without it? I think you should expect to make many times the cost of the certification as a result of getting it or it will be a waste of time. By the way, if $2995 sounds like a lot... you can get my "Certified Social Media Professional" designation for only $1995, and if you join the "Amalgamated Marketers Association" today for $995 per year, I'll apply your first year's dues to the cost of your CSMP! That brings your total investment for the "Certified Social Media Professional" designation down to only $1000. A much better value indeed. Of course I'm being glib, but it's to illustrate a point: there is no certifying body for certifying bodies. Anybody can start handing out certificates for anything, any time. So if you can't measure your direct financial benefit from investing 3 grand into certification, or if that benefit is not significant (I'm not talking break even here, I mean 5x to 10x minimum) I'd say just skip it.

10-29-2009, 07:11 AM	#14
DogScout Self Unemployed War Room Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Florida Posts: 2,343 Thanks: 697 Thanked 628 Times in 373 Posts Social Networking	Re: Social Media Certification? I decent graphics program and a printer... get all the certificates you need There are corporate HR that do consider them in hiring. The brass at corporate like them as well. Try getting a gig managing a large Adwords account without Googles certification. It is the first thing a half way knowledgeable interviewer asks. (Getting a small account should be no problem though, at least for now.) The value of any cert is many times more perceived than real, but it is relied upon many times regardless.
	Otis's Blog (Own The Internet, Silly) Breast Cancer Support - Breast Cancer Information Paint Shop Tubes - Free images - Free Graphics - Free Photos - 3D - Poser Tubes - Scrap Kits Last edited by DogScout; 10-29-2009 at 07:11 AM. Reason: removed the 'k' from 'now' Lol.

10-29-2009, 07:34 AM	#15
blur HyperActive Warrior War Room Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Posts: 232 Thanks: 43 Thanked 21 Times in 20 Posts	Re: Social Media Certification? Internet Marketing Certificate \| Online Internet Marketing Course San Fran offers a full internet marketing cert for about $5000. I would love to take it, but don't have the $5000.