CPD Content Production for Social Media

This course will enable you to identify, appraise, and utilise trends, platforms, and analytical tools for social media communications. At the end of the course, you will be able to develop and apply appropriate skills in the production of content for social media. You will also be able to appraise and debate the ethical, moral, and legal implications of the use of social media for corporate communications.

This course is currently undergoing its scheduled programme review, which may impact the advertised modules. Programme review is a standard part of the University’s approach to quality assurance and enhancement, enabling us to ensure that our courses remain up to date and maintain their high standard and relevancy.

Once the review is completed, this course website page will be updated to reflect any approved changes to the advertised course. These approved changes will also be communicated to those who apply for the course to ensure they wish to proceed with their application.

You will learn how to identify and analyse trends and will use this information to write and produce content to engage and capture the attention of an audience, using appropriate tone of voice and visual assets. You will also develop an understanding of how macro and micro-influencers can be used to draw in audiences.

You will create sample social media content that can be used across a range of different platforms. In doing so you will develop an understanding of how each of the top social media platforms is used and will employ industry standard tools to monitor and analyse the effectiveness of the approach taken. Working to briefs, you will develop an understanding of the need to produce authentic, legal, and ethical content, while also developing an understanding of how algorithms and big data are used on social media platforms and in programmatic advertising in response to a hypothetical brief.

You will consider the implications of the use of social media content, algorithms, and user engagement techniques, and will produce a portfolio of social media content.

Course content may include, but is not limited to, the development of skills in:

• Practical content production, including video, sound, graphics, and written content for use in social media
• The use of brand guidelines
• Analytical tools
• Platform restrictions and scheduling
• Programmatic advertising techniques
• Transmedia narratives.

You will be introduced to the key concepts, theories and discussions that surround social media use through a series of asynchronous lectures and seminars, with workshops giving you the opportunity to apply this knowledge by developing practical production skills. Formative feedback will be given in the workshops to help you develop and refine your skills, and you will be supported in your learning of relevant software skills through short, online video tutorials.

Briefs will be given so that you are able to work within the constrictions of brands, platforms, and scheduling. You will have the opportunity to look at how some of the analytical tools are used to assess the effectiveness of your brand communications.

The course will commence with an introduction to the creative industries by industry guests, giving you an overview of their industry, and an insight into the key skills you will need to develop to enable you to be successful within your industry.

Qualification requirements

• GCSEs and equivalents

  Prior to starting the programme applicants must have obtained grade 4 or grade C or above in English Language and Mathematics GCSE or an approved alternative qualification:

  • Key Skills Level 2 in English/ Maths
  • NVQ Level 2 Functional skills in Maths and English Writing and or Reading
  • Skills for Life Level 2 in Numeracy/English
  • Higher Diploma in Maths/ English
  • Functional skills Level 2 in Maths/ English
  • Northern Ireland Essential Skills Level 2 in communication or Application of Number
  • Wales Essential Skills Level 2 in Communication or Application of Number
• A levels

  104 UCAS points from a minimum of 2 A Levels. Maximum of 20 AS points accepted.

• BTECs

  BTEC National Diploma 104 UCAS Tariff points.

• Access awards

  At least 9 Distinctions and 36 Merits or any other combination that equates to 104 UCAS tariff points in a relevant subject.

• International Baccalaureate

  24 IB points

• Irish awards

  Irish Leaving Certificate 104 UCAS tariff points. Maximum of 20 UCAS tariff points at Ordinary Level.

• Alternative qualifications considered

  Applications are welcomed from mature and non-standard applicants who will be considered on an individual basis

To apply for this programme, you are required to complete an LJMU online application form. You will need to provide details of previous qualifications and a personal statement outlining why you wish to study this programme.

There will be two assessment tasks:

1. An individual digital portfolio of social media content
2. A written report on the potential impact of your content

This Continuing Professional Development is studied as a single CPD.