Social Media Community Management Certification: A Worthwhile Investment?

I recently finished a social media community management certification program sponsored by WOMMA, the Word of Mouth Marketing Association (WOM COM). I have to admit that when I first entered the program I was skeptical. I knew the “buzz” around social media certification. Some industry folks have scoffed at the idea of a barely-past-beta-stage industry having expert practitioners, let alone a certification program.

However, I found myself pleasantly surprised. WOM COM instructors did a great job of emphasizing that there’s no one right way to socialize online. And they had real industry leaders –representing companies like Dell and agencies like Edelman– who provided case studies. They gave advice, not rules, and the result was spectacular.

Granted, there were some sessions where I already knew what was being discussed but, as social media is my job not my hobby, that was to be expected. When I signed up for WOM COM, it wasn’t for quick tips. I was looking for a way to make me better at my job, and I do think that was accomplished.

In the end, only the people who participate in social media certification can judge its worth. From my viewpoint, the certification from WOMMA is a worthwhile endeavor. It reminds you of the importance of strategy, which can get lost in a social world. Does that mean that certification guarantees a good community manager? Certainly not. But being serious about bringing best-practice standards to the forefront is an idea that any social media professional should welcome.