South East Technological University (SETU) in Carlow launched a first-of-its-kind course in Ireland in September.

The training teaches influencers how to turn their presence and content on platforms like Instagram, TikTok and YouTube into a source of income.

“Content Creation and Social Networks”. That's the name of an unusual course that has opened its doors at South East Technological University (SETU) in Carlow. It is there, 80 km from Dublin, that since September fifteen students have been training to become…influential.

“This is one that grows a lot. “Director of the course – a first in Ireland – Irene McCormick explains to AFP. The former TV producer started by offering an intensive summer course led by TikTokers, which attracted 350 applications for 30 places. “The project was incredibly successful and we saw that there was a huge appetite, so we decided to go to diploma level.“, she explains.

We are interested in how you can monetize your influence with a large online audience.

Irene McCormick

This training teaches influencers how to turn their presence and content on platforms like Instagram, Tik Tok and YouTube into a source of income. After two years of preparation, the course was approved. Most students are already immersed in the digital world but are looking for more tools and knowledge, according to Irene McCormick. “You can try to study at home, but gaining practical and theoretical knowledge on how to reach your target audience will make a big difference in your career.“, she says.

“We are interested in how you can monetize your influence with a large online audience“, Ms. McCormick detailed. The diploma's teachings include creating videos, entrepreneurship courses, psychology, storytelling, data analysis and the production of podcasts. Content creation includes “Editing, planning, organizing etc. It takes longer than you think and people don't really understand that“, explained one student. Everyone learns to use cameras and microphones and does internships.

• 

  Also read this

  Fraud Suppression: Half of Regulated Influencers Are “Extraordinary”

The term “influencer” — a person known on social media who uses their celebrity to recommend, promote, or generate interest in products and brands, often for a fee — has only recently entered the lexicon. The most popular ones, like YouTubers MrBeast or KSI, reach a significant audience and earn substantial income from partnerships with brands or advertisements.

According to Irene McCormick, there are many career opportunities. “About 70% of marketers today consider influencers to be the future of marketing, and governments are also using them to get their messages across.“, she emphasizes.”Influencer posts on social media can sometimes be trivial, but the act itself is not, it is a very serious business.