Three Reasons to Apply for an SMBMad Scholarship

Anyone with a role in communications – particularly social media – knows that our world is ever changing. Advancements in digital technologies, shifting algorithms and changes to trends are standard in our world, and keeping up with those changes can be a daunting task.

Professional development is not a luxury but rather a necessity for a careers built and working online.

That is why the Social Media Breakfast Madison’s scholarship program is so great.

Last month, I had the opportunity to attend the Tastemaker Conference in Chicago. This two-day, immersive conference is an exclusive chance for food bloggers and social media managers to learn more about SEO management, artificial intelligence technology, staff management, brand awareness and so much more.

My team at Wisconsin Farm Bureau is proud to manage a new resource connecting consumers with the farmers behind their food. Gather Wisconsin is a blog that dives deep into ingredients grown right here in America’s Dairyland and the stories of farmers behind those ingredients. Our goal is to be a one-stop shop for those curious about their food to learn how to incorporate Wisconsin agriculture in their menu.

This is an entirely new space for us as a team, and the opportunity to attend Tastemaker Conference to learn about tools to optimize our site and grow our brand would not have been possible without my scholarship from Social Media Breakfast Madison.

Here are my top three reasons why I appreciate the SMBMad Scholarship Program – and why you should consider applying today:

• You can use it for any social media conference. Scholarship funds are applicable for conferences, classes or seminars that educate the awardee on best practices, strategy, tips, tools and analytics for social media, digital marketing, public relations, sales, and customer service.
• It’s painless. If selected, award recipients share what they have learned through the conference. This is as simple as a blog post, photo and caption for social media, or a synopsis of the event prior to a future SMBMad event. These plans are agreed upon between recipients and the SMBMad board of directors prior to receiving funds.
• It is so easy to apply. If the word “scholarship” has you cringing back to the days of college, there is no need to panic. The SMBMad Scholarship Application is comprised of four very easy questions that can be completed in approximately 15 minutes. If selected, you may earn up to $500 for a one-day conference and up to $750 for a multiday conference. Note: Applicants are eligible to receive one scholarship per calendar year.

That’s it! It is really that simple. Having now received two different scholarships from the SMBMad team, I am thankful for the opportunities I have had to better myself as a communicator while learning new skills in the ever-evolving landscape of social media.

If you have your eye on an upcoming conference or seminar to build your professional skillset this year, take the time to consider and apply for SMBMad’s Scholarship Program. You will be so glad that you did.