Capella PhD student shares 4 tips on enhancing your social media presence

Over the course of her career, Sabrina Kizzie has worked in health care, government, and real estate.

But her true passion is marketing—particularly social media marketing. Last summer, Kizzie was a featured speaker at the Blogger Week UnConference in Washington, D.C, where she delivered a talk called “Tweet to Profit: How to Market, Monetize, and Maximize through Tweeting.”

Like many marketers, Kizzie has a passion for sharing what she has learned over the years. In addition to appearing at conferences, she serves as an adjunct professor at the City University of New York – Baruch College CAPS Program, where she recently earned a “2016 Outstanding Instructor of the Year Award.” Kizzie holds both a Bachelor of Science in Marketing and Master of Public Administration (MPA), and is also currently pursuing a PhD in Business Management at Capella University. “I want to become an expert in my field and I know that getting a PhD will allow me to do so,” she says.

Kizzie says she was initially worried about enrolling in an online program. “I’ve always been in a brick-and-mortar school, so I was concerned about how I would be able to interact with people and do my assignments,” she says. “But the staff at Capella are wonderful. They are true professionals!”

Kizzie says she was also concerned that her online education would not be rigorous enough. “When you tell people that you’re in an online program, they think, ‘Oh, that’s easy. That must be a breeze.’ But it’s not,” she says. “I feel I’m getting the same level of attention and workload as I would at a brick-and-mortar school. Maybe more so.”

Ultimately, Kizzie hopes to use her PhD to enhance her teaching. But even on her way to the PhD, she is eager to share what she knows. Here, she offers a few tips on how to use social media to boost your online profile.

1. Pick a platform.

When you’re just starting out, it’s easy to get overwhelmed by all the choices available in social media: Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Linkedin. Pick the social media platform that most appeals to you and is most likely to help you connect with the appropriate audience. “I always suggest that everyone at least have a Linkedin profile,” Kizzie says. In addition to your resume, post a sharp picture of yourself and at least two written recommendations.

2. Share your passion on a blog.

If there’s a topic that you’re particularly passionate about, consider starting a blog. In addition to sharing your own ideas and suggestions, you can use a blog to reflect on things you’ve read, seen, or experienced. You can interview other industry experts. And you can field questions from readers. “A blog is a great way to show that you’re an authority on a topic,” Kizzie says.

3. Make a plan.

Too many individuals rush into the world of social media, posting multiple items each day, only to grow tired of the effort. Readers will notice when your posts slow down, Kizzie says. And if the most recent item went live more than three months ago, they’re not likely to return.

Kizzie suggests mapping out your social media plan for an extended period before you begin —consider what you will blog about. When will you send out Tweets? Take a hard look at the calendar. Does it accomplish what you want? Is it sustainable?

4. Be an early adopter.

Part of the fun of social media is experimenting with new technologies and forms, Kizzie explains. Experiment with Facebook Live or Snapchat. Try podcasting or something that might expand the reach of your audience. If things don’t work, you can change course, Kizzie says. “But you should be creative. And keep up on trends.”

Learn more about Capella’sonline doctoral business programs.

Important Information about the educational debt, earnings, and completion rate of students who attended these programs.