This online course introduces you to the advantages and techniques of social media marketing. These eight self-paced lessons explain how you can market your brand on the social media platforms; how to create your marketing plan; the details of working with Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, and YouTube; how to use location-based marketing to boost sales and gain loyal customers; and how to analyze your "social" ROI.

In each lesson, you'll find clear, expert instruction, interactive quizzes, practical exercises, summaries, and a way to review topics so you can progress at your own pace.

The course covers:

• How to build your social authority
• Tips on developing your branded look
• What to put in a social press release
• How to attract a Twitter audience
• The process for creating a live Twitter chat
• Ideas for a customized Facebook landing page
• How to use Facebook Places and Check-In Deals
• Etiquette for sending LinkedIn connection requests
• How to wow new customers on LinkedIn by answering questions
• How to share YouTube videos on Twitter and Facebook
• Tips for maximizing your YouTube video SEO
• Location-based marketing terms and concepts
• Suggestions for using Groupon and LivingSocial
• An overview of built-in analytics tools for the top platforms