What a Social Media Workshop Reinforced for Me

Going into this past week’s social media workshop, I already had a strong foundation in social media marketing from class. Concepts like branding, engagement, content strategy, and analytics were familiar. What made this workshop valuable was seeing how those concepts are applied in real-world situations, especially through the perspective of professionals working in different roles.

While each session offered something different, one presentation that stood out the most was from Tim Stried from the Ohio High School Athletic Association.

One of the first things he shared was that social media only makes up about 35 percent of his job. This immediately shifted my perspective. It reinforced that working in social media is not just about posting content. It requires a broader skill set that includes communication, media relations, and understanding how to manage a brand's overall presence. It made it clear that being well-rounded is just as important as being creative.

A major point he emphasized was his decision not to respond to comments on social media. At first, this seemed to go against what we often learn about or think about engagement being essential. However, his reasoning made a lot of sense. He explained that once you begin responding to comments, you create an expectation that you will respond to all comments. For an organization with a large audience like the OHSAA, this can quickly become unrealistic and difficult to manage. It also opens the door to more negative interactions, which can take away from the organization's primary goals.

This was an important takeaway because it showed that engagement strategies are not always universal. While responding to comments can be valuable in some situations, it is not always the best approach for every organization. Instead, it depends on the size of the audience, the type of content, and the goals of the brand.

Another key point he discussed was the importance of being adaptable across all social media platforms. He emphasized that it is not enough to be comfortable with just one platform. As trends change and new platforms emerge, professionals need to be able to adjust and understand how each platform works. This reinforced what we have been learning in class about staying current and flexible in the digital space.

Beyond his presentation, one of the most valuable moments of the day was during lunch. I had the opportunity to sit with Tim Stried and other sports management majors, which allowed for a more personal conversation. During this time, he talked about how important networking is, especially in the sports industry. He explained that sports can be a difficult field to break into because it often operates as a closed network. Many opportunities come from connections rather than traditional job postings. This reinforced the importance of building relationships early.

Other sessions throughout the day added to the experience. Hearing from Amy Arnold and Kelly Savage highlighted the balance between organic and paid social media, while Shannon Caldwell shared her experience transitioning from communications into the marketing world. The final session with Tyler Louth focused on artificial intelligence and its role in the future of digital advertising. Each of these sessions reinforced different aspects of what we have been learning in class.

Overall, this workshop did not just introduce new ideas; it reinforced the importance of applying what we already know in real-world situations. The biggest takeaway for me was that social media marketing is not as simple as it may seem. It requires strategy, adaptability, and a strong understanding of how decisions impact both the brand and the audience.