Business social media training can be very challenging at best. With social network applications constantly changing, keeping up is a full-time job. Making sure that you are equipping your workshop participants with effective social media skills is critical to the success of their business, and yours. Their success paves the road ahead for your training business.
I do not often write about the particulars of what I do on a daily basis. Here’s a snapshot of what a social media trainer’s day could very well look like. First there’s the travel and the coffee that propels us as trainers throughout the day. One of our greatest challenges is actually eating. Oftentimes, instead of eating, we prepare for the next class that’s only mere moments away. Have you ever done this?
And with the constant changes in all the social networks, there’s PowerPoint slides that need to be edited on a regular basis. Many times, they have to be changed before a class begins. For example, Facebook has just changed the appearance and functionality of the Facebook profile. This is going to have to be reflected in the PowerPoint slides dealing with Facebook Profiles.
There are certificates that have to be made up for workshop graduations. I just had three graduations on Wednesday. Making these graduation certificates can be a time-consuming process because everything needs to be spelled right and done right. For those that know me, spelling is a challenge, and something that I have to work very hard at getting right. People take a dim view of PowerPoint slides with spelling errors. The language police are always out there.
Graduations can be very sad times, as well as joyous times. I love seeing my graduates being recognized for the new skills that they have; but I’m sad to see my new friends go. I try to keep in touch with many of my old workshop participants, but as you know, business tends to keep us busy. I have trained so many great people. They have done some truly remarkable things.
This week, I have had to prepare three talks for the “It’s All Social” social media conference in Truro, Nova Scotia. I have spent a lot of time preparing for these three 45 minute talks. I hate wasting other people’s time, especially when it comes to business. As a trainer, when people come to my talks, I work very hard to make sure that they walk away better than when they came in. I want to make sure that they are a better business because they have spent some time with me.
As a trainer, I take a lot of pride in seeing the success of my workshop participants. It’s great to see the results of my hard work that I have invested in others. When they do well, I have done my job as a trainer. I take my job very seriously as a trainer, and I do my best to always deliver great content that matters and produces results.
So part of a trainer’s job on a regular basis is to always be updating their skills and their knowledge. What most people don’t see is the time that many trainers spend in putting all this new information into their training material. And since business and social media is constantly changing, the need to keep up with the changes is an ever demanding task.
They say that all work and no play makes Jeff a dull boy. But if you have ever taken a workshop from me, you know that I play hard when I deliver my training. Laughter is the best way that I know to create a better amount of information retainment. Some people project that only 20% of the material taught stays with the participant. I am always trying to push for 30% and 40% retainment in my workshops. I find that laughter is a great way to have participants walk away and remember more things from the workshop.
So by the end of this day today, I will have delivered three hours social media training, drove a couple of hours to and from the workshop in Halifax, and then delivered four social media presentations at a social media conference in Truro. Try doing that and see how you feel by the end of the day. Needless to say, I’m looking forward to relaxing Friday.
Please don’t get the wrong, I love what I do. I have worked for the man before, and did not really enjoy doing it. Today I am my own boss, and I enjoy all the people who I get to meet every day. I love empowering people with new skills that actually matter. I love hearing people tell me the stories of how they have done better because of the skills that I have given them. This is what truly makes my job rewarding and new every day. After all, life is truly about all the people you help long way.
So here’s to a great day of business for you. I encourage you to love what you do, and you will never work a day in your life. Life’s too short to be stuck in a job you don’t like. Don’t go another day. Do something that truly matters in the lives of others.
All the best, Jeff.
