Are you looking to further expand your social media superpowers to better enhance your brand? Do you long for a tool that helps you organize your various social media outlets in a given space? You may already have checked out our series on how HootSuite Pro can accomplish just that. But we’re not here to talk about going Pro. HootSuite University (or “HootSuite U”) is essentially an extension to the HootSuite family that offers some pretty sweet perks.

How can users benefit from HootSuite U?

HootSuite describes HootSuite U as “a learning program designed to educate people on HootSuite features and social media marketing best practices”. The way we see it, HootSuite U comes hand in hand with Hootsuite’s various platforms (Basic, Pro, Enterprise, etc.) and helps its users fully understand what Hootsuite has to offer in terms of social media. Further, students enrolled in HootSuite U take three courses, each with their own exam at the end. After passing each exam, HootSuite U grads will be listed in HootSuite’s Social Media Consultant Directory and receive access to a library of webinars from industry experts.

As a social media consultant myself, I think HootSuite U is an extremely valuable tool. Business owners and non-tech savvy individuals alike are desperately trying to find a way into the social media world but tend to become too overwhelmed by the process, don’t have the time/patience, or don’t know where to turn to when looking for social media assistance. The value of HootSuite U is clear, but it’s the dedication of the student and their willingness to learn that makes all the difference.

For $30.99/month for non-HootSuite Pro users, or $21/month for HootSuite Pro users, HootSuite U seems worth it for those looking to enter the digital world. Check it out, we’re even in HootSuite U’s Hoot100 video! Do you U? If not, do you know anyone who could benefit from learning some new social media tricks and tips? Tweet to us and let us know @TRA360!

It seems simple enough; your brand pushes out content to your followers, customers  and consumers, they read it, maybe think about it for a few minutes, but about twenty minutes later, it’s lost information. In one ear and out the other, cluttered among the other tweets, posts, blogs, e-blasts, newsletters and e-mail they read every day. However, when brands take the time to do their homework on their followers and understanding the demographics of their audience, content is more likely to be retained. 

Yes, content generation is the key to gaining credibility and establishing relationships, however, without proper knowledge of your brand’s demographics, your potential reach could be that much larger. By analyzing the trends in your data (thank you Hootsuite Pro and Google Analytics), and determining whether your readers are mostly male or female, US or internationally based, old or young, this data will provide you with the secret sauce to content success. Pushing out content to the wrong crowd, age group, or even gender could be preventing your brand from succeeding (and those numbers from skyrocketing!)

TRA360 lesson of the week: If you’re going to push out content, make sure you are pushing it out to the right audience! Knowing your demographics is key for your brand’s success. Do you use analytical tools to research your company’s demographics? Let us know @TRA360!