Hootsuite launches free educational platform on social media

Hootsuite created a free educational platform called Podium, in the aim to help people develop abilities to manage the social media of their own businesses. “In essence, Podium is the most updated free educational platform on social media for anybody who wants to acquire better tools or advance in their career on networks” said Greg Gunn, VP of New Product Growth at Hootsuite. The tool offers 40 short how-to videos and the possibility of earning a social media marketing certification aimed at college students, freelancers and other professionals interested in the digital industry.Gunn said the idea for Podium came out of requests from Hootsuite University users who wanted to learn the basics of social media education, before diving into the social relationship platform’s tactical training and certification platform. Hootsuite University, which is not a free service, launched in May 2010.”Hootsuite chose not to attach the name of the brand to Podium so that the new platform can act as an independent part of the company and fill an existing void in education on social media”, said Gunn. Another reason for its creation was employer’s increasing demand for staff who understand how to use social media.The brand plans to create content for the new Podium audience on the Hootsuite blog and is looking into potential partnerships to amplify the offering.