Brand Authority and Influence
In today’s digital landscape, attention is fleeting, and credibility is everything. Brand Authority and Influence, a professional certificate from University of North Florida Professional and Lifelong Learning, developed in partnership with the National Institute for Social Media (NISM), offers a strategic, data-informed roadmap to help you stand out, stay relevant, and lead with authenticity. This program dives deep into what it takes to build trust and influence online, starting with defining your brand voice and crafting content that connects, to fostering interactive communities and managing engagement in real time. You’ll explore the pillars of social media strategy, ethical and legal considerations for influencers and creators, and techniques for planning, executing, and evaluating campaigns that align with your organizational goals. Designed for marketing and communication professionals, small business owners, freelancers, and thought leaders, this program equips you with the practical tools and insights to strengthen your digital presence, cultivate meaningful connections, and build lasting brand authority in a world where attention is hard to earn — and even harder to keep.
Course Outline
This six-week certificate program will meet live, in-person. Attendance is vital. Participants will be awarded a Certificate of Completion and 1.5 Continuing Education Units (CEUs) upon successful completion. Successful completion includes attending five of the six sessions, completing all coursework, and earning an 80% or better on the graded components.
| Module 1 | Program Overview |
| Module 2 | Social Media Strategy |
| Module 3 | Online Community Management |
| Module 4 | Digital Marketing & Communication |
| Module 5 | Evaluation & Governance |
| Module 6 | Program Wrap Up |
Who Should Attend
- Social media managers and strategists looking to grow their authenticity
- Small business owners, freelancers, and entrepreneurs building community influence
- Digital marketing and communication professionals wanting to upskill in digital brand strategy
Program Benefits
- Build authentic credibility through a proven framework for brand authority and social influence.
- Master strategic social media planning that aligns with business and communication goals.
- Develop content that converts: learn to craft messages that attract, engage, and retain audiences.
- Gain real-world insight from collaboration with experts at the National Institute for Social Media (NISM).
- Strengthen professional confidence in managing engagement, community, and online reputation.
- Navigate digital ethics and compliance to maintain trust and protect brand integrity.
- Earn a respected university credential that enhances your professional portfolio and career advancement.
Instructor
Dr. Margaret Stewart
Dr. Margaret Stewart is an academic and industry expert in the areas of professional and strategic communication, and social media strategy. She is an Associate Professor of Communication Studies in UNF’s School of Communication and a certified social media strategist (SMS) and trainer for the National Institute for Social Media (NISM). With over two decades of professional and higher education teaching experience, Dr. Stewart is dedicated to lifelong learning and is passionate about acquiring and discovering knowledge and sharing it with others. Her UNF Faculty and LinkedIn profiles are here.