Social Media Workshop

    Last Friday, I attended the 7th Annual Social Media Workshop at Ohio Northern University. The event offered a variety of sessions led by social media experts, covering topics from LinkedIn strategies to personal branding. Having the freedom to choose which sessions to attend allowed me to tailor the day to my interests.

    The session I found most impactful was the final one of the day, titled “Mastering the Social Media Maze: Adapting to Algorithms, Trends and Clientele.” Amanda Langley, the presenter, broke down how algorithms promote content and emphasized the importance of understanding each platform’s unique characteristics. One key point was how traction varies depending on the platform. Langley made the concepts easy to grasp and relatable to a diverse audience.

    A moment that stood out was her comparison of Instagram to an “aesthetic museum” and TikTok to an “eclectic street fair.” This visual helped me understand how each platform works. Instagram’s algorithm favors consistent branding and polished content, while TikTok rewards spontaneity and trend participation. Langley’s insight on how trending content drives visibility on TikTok made her analogy feel especially accurate.

    Across several sessions, one concept that stood out was the idea of constant learning through trial and error. Just as in life, success on social media often comes through experimentation. Presenters emphasized testing different strategies to discover what works best. For instance, finding the ideal time to post involves publishing content at various times, tracking performance and identifying patterns. This kind of data-driven adjustment helps refine posting schedules.

    When managing business accounts, testing different ad formats was another recurring theme. Presenters advised experimenting with different types of content—such as product spotlights versus real-life testimonials—to see what resonates most with your target audience. Additionally, changing the objective of an ad campaign, whether it’s focused on engagement or conversion, can produce dramatically different results. Understanding these variables allows creators and marketers to adapt their content to each platform’s algorithm more effectively.

    The underlying message across all sessions was clear: there’s no one-size-fits-all formula for success. What works today might not work tomorrow, and staying agile is key. I left the workshop with a renewed appreciation for the strategic side of social media. While creativity remains important, so does analysis, flexibility and a willingness to learn from failure.

    Overall, the Social Media Workshop was a valuable experience. The sessions were informative, the speakers were engaging, and the lessons were applicable to real-world scenarios. I walked away with new strategies to try, a better understanding of platform-specific best practices and a mindset geared toward continuous learning and adaptation.