Ninjas Have to Start Somewhere

Before a person can become a “Social Media Ninja” they have to start somewhere don’t you think?

I suppose it would be good to start with explaining what a “Social Media Ninja” is.

This semester in my Marketing Management class (#mkt420) the students are engaged in a semester long personal branding assignment inspired by Gary Vaynerchuk and his book, CrushIt.  Each student has been asked to identify something they are passionate about and build their personal brand through social media.

We are six weeks into the semester and the fruits of their planning and thinking and research are beginning to show. What is so exciting is that each student is doing something different and they are learning how to incorporate different tools into what they are doing.  Even more fun, is they are helping each other through the process.

In essence this semester the students in #MKT420 are learning how to become Social Media Ninjas. They are learning the intricate and mysterious rules of social media.  (Ok, you got me, there really aren’t any rules because if you haven’t figured it out yet, we are all making up the “rules” as we go along — which is why they are “mysterious”). Words that describe the Social Media Ninja include: Agile, Nimble, Gadget Master (think in this case tools like blogs, twitter, facebook, analytics, SEO), Multi-faceted, Master Wordsmith, Content Creator, Content Distributor and Networker Extraordinaire.

This of course highlights that just because they are young doesn’t mean they are ready to run a social media campaign for your business. They need training. And this assignment is that training ground. When they complete this course, if they do the work and they listen to my feedback (and yours…but I’m getting to that in a minute), they will become Social Media Ninjas.

So here is where you come in.  You are a business professional.  Perhaps a Social Media Ninja yourself.  Or perhaps you are looking for bright talent that will become your Community Manager or your Content Manager. Here is your chance to get in on the ground floor. To not only watch these students develop their mad skilz in social media marketing, but even help them by providing feedback, reading their content and being willing to engage and mentor them.

They graduate in May.

Perhaps you just might want to Hire These Grads.

So here they are. Social Media Ninjas In-Training.  Follow them. Subscribe to their Blogs. Watch their Videos. Help them reach Social Media Ninja Status.

Girls on Shred a blog about women, snowboarding and lot’s of other things I don’t really understand.  http://yaaagrlz.tumblr.com | Twitter:  @cailaburke

My Personal Runway a blog about Fashion — Mens fashion. Featuring lots of fun and funky beauties!  http://mystreetfashion.tumblr.com | Twitter: @mjbutler85

Tying it All Together a blog about connecting her school work to her internship to her employment. http://jcooper225.tumblr.com | Twitter:  @jcooper225

Event-uring a blog about events — planning, managing and participating — and having fun learning.  http://event-uring.tumblr.com/ | Twitter:  @LDamici

The Snake Pit a blog about snowboarding with a focus on capturing the true spirit of the lifestyle and sport. http://shralp.tumblr.com/ | Twitter:  @joegaynor

sNOboundaries a single Mom’s snowboarding blog — yep Moms board too! http://www.snowboundaries.com | Twitter:  @kristig3

Rosie the Marketer a blog about women. Strong working women and marketing. Provides commentary on women in the media as well. http://rosiethemarketer.tumblr.com | Twitter:   @rosiemarketer

Apres-Shred a blog about New England and all things Snow. www.Apres-Shred.com | Twitter: http://twitter.com/ApresShred

Design Gutter a blog that asks the designers burning question, is it good design, or does it just meet requirements? http://thedesigngutter.wordpress.com | Twitter: @ajjones87 and @designgutter

The Brew Meaning it’s a beer blog. With a mission.  Visit all the breweries on the “Vermont Brewery Challenge” and write about the beer. http://thebrewmeaning.com | Twitter:  @rrrali

Carolyn Gets Risky a blog about taking risks and experiencing life. http://carolyngetsrisky.tumblr.com | Twitter: @carolyngetsrad

Hire This Grad is a blog that will spotlight the individuals from our Marketing Class to help them “get hired”.  http://hirethisgrad.tumblr.com | Twitter  @nicholemagoon and @hirethisgrad

Candace Is Hungry is a FOOD blog. Recipes, pictures of food, downright yummy content.  http://candaceishungry.tumblr.com | Twitter:  @candaceishungry

The Promotional Experience is a blog about the world of Experiential Marketing and Promotions.  http://caitlineoconnor.wordpress.com/ | Twitter: @caitlineo

Sled Head is a blog about Snowmobiling or as it is known here in VT, Snow machining. Did you know people jump things with their sleds? http://sledheadblog.blogspot.com | Twitter:  @Dan819

The Hungry Hungry Caterpillar is a travel blog about a students going to Tanzania this May to help Friends of IMMUA. http://www.hungrycaterpillar-abathomas.blogspot.com | Twitter:  @abathomas

Wamser and the World is a travel and adventure blog from a student who has been places and is going even more places! http://kwamser.tumblr.com/ |Twitter:  @kwamser

Madison Whitney is a fashion blog that is opinion and compilation of images and commentary about the fashion world.  http://madisonwhitney.tumblr.com/ | Twitter: @madisonwhitneyw

Brooke on Wheels is a blog about Roller Derby and one woman’s quest to learn more about the sport first hand. http://brookezam.wordpress.com | Twitter:  @BrookeZam