I just put up a quick survey under our assignments area, mind filling this out when you have a few minutes?
You have all been amazing students, and I want to thank each of you for the time we’ve shared this semester… I wish you the very best as you continue your journey through school and into your future careers.
I would love to see every single one of you down the road in my Web Dev I (Intro to Web) Class down the road in our Graphic Design department… It is a fun class where we use drag & drop builders to make easy-to-build websites, while also learning about website domain names and actually putting your website live on the internet. You’ll have the potential to make any type of website you’d like! Please reach out any time you have any questions about our web classes. I guarantee you’ll have a great experience, while also adding a tremendously valuable additional skillset into your portfolio as a Graphic Designer or Video Production student… Believe it or not, my background was actually in video production growing up before getting into design and web development… AND plus, you’ll have a new favorite class to look forward to each week after such a fun class together this semester…..
Have a great rest of your finals week, and CHEERS TO BEING DONE !!
Remote Week Participation: (D2L Discussions Area) Please see our Remote Week Discussion Challenges & catch up on everything before the end of the semester.
Assignments/Homework: (D2L Assignments Area) Please see our Assignments Area & catch up on everything before the end of the semester.
I’ve put together a list of the following questions to help myself as an instructor, as well as our Graphic Design Department as a whole, create better experiences for our students in the future… Everything you’ve experienced in our class this semester is based on feedback from students last semester, and any feedback you can help contribute as well will continue to make our program and classes even better…
1. What was your favorite discussion, assignment, exercise, or project, or even the most memorable one that you enjoyed this semester? Why did you enjoy it so much?
2. How about your least favorite? Any specific reason why?
3. What is at least one thing that you enjoy about the way that I taught our class this semester? (And I hope I qualify for at least one!)
4. What is one critique or suggestion that you could give me so that I can teach this course better next semester? Or maybe if there were one thing that your other instructors do in their classes, that you’d recommend I also try doing to help with my own classes in the future, what would that be? (For example, how class is run in general, lectures, discussions, assignments, lab time, start time, how D2L is used, Zoom suggestions, syllabus, etc)
5. Would you ever be interested in taking any of my other classes? Here are a list of all the classes I’m currently teaching: -Web Design & Development I (Basics of WordPress, HTML, and CSS) -Web Design & Development II (E-Commerce Websites & Selling Products Online) -Web Design & Development III (Advanced Web Projects, UX & UI, Exploring APIs Apps & Game Development) -Web Production (Freelancing Topics) -Social Media Production I & II -Specialized Lab (Set your own goals, even be guided through your very first real world client)
If so, which one(s)?
Bonus Question! This last one is completely optional, however my personal favorite… If you did enjoy taking this class with me, and were going to help me talk a new student into taking any of my classes, would you have any short sentence, or any specific words of encouragement from you as a former student that I could share with this new potential student in the future? This can remain completely anonymous if you’d like no problem at all. Quotes from former students can provide a drastic change in enrollment and the future of our school, and I sincerely thank you for any words that you can help me provide for new potential students.
Once again, great work all around everyone. I had an absolute blast with everyone this semester. Thank you all so much. -Dustin
1. Conversion vs Engagement Engagement and conversions are not the same thing. A post can get thousands of likes, comments, or shares, but that doesn’t guarantee anyone will actually buy. Engagement shows interest and attention, while conversion measures action—clicking a link, signing up, or making a purchase. Strong campaigns often use engagement to build awareness and trust first, then guide that audience toward a clear next step that leads to conversion.
2. Customer Journey The customer journey is the path someone takes from first discovering your brand to eventually making a purchase. It often starts with awareness (seeing a post or ad), moves into interest (learning more or following), then consideration (comparing or researching), and finally action (buying or signing up). Understanding this process helps you create content for each stage instead of expecting someone to buy immediately after seeing you once.
3. Retargeting Ads Retargeting ads focus on people who have already interacted with your brand—visited your website, clicked an ad, or engaged with your content. Since these users are already familiar with you, they are much more likely to convert. Retargeting helps remind them, bring them back, and move them closer to taking action, making it one of the most effective ways to increase results from your existing audience.
4. Offer Strategy An offer strategy is how you present value to encourage someone to take action. This can include discounts, bundles, limited-time deals, or exclusive offers. The goal is to create a reason to act now instead of later. A strong offer doesn’t just reduce price—it increases perceived value and urgency, helping turn interest into actual decisions.
5. Trust & Social Proof People are more likely to buy when they see that others already have. Reviews, testimonials, user-generated content, and real customer experiences all act as social proof. This builds trust and reduces uncertainty, especially for new customers. When someone sees positive feedback from others, it reassures them that your product or service is worth it, making them more confident in their decision to move forward.
Start With Who You’re Talking To — Not What You’re Posting
Before we design anything, post anything, or even think about going viral, we need to take a step back and ask a simple question:
Who is this for?
This lesson isn’t just about creating content. It’s about creating content that actually connects. And connection starts with understanding your audience.
What This Lesson Is Really About
Over the next several weeks, you’ll be building your own social media campaign around a brand. That brand could be:
Something you create
A real business
A personal idea
A reimagined version of something that already exists
But regardless of what you choose, everything we do comes back to three core ideas:
Understanding people
Communicating clearly
Creating content with intention
This lesson is not about random posting. It’s about strategic storytelling.
What Is a Target Audience?
A target audience is the specific group of people you are trying to reach with your content, message, or brand.
It’s not “everyone.” It’s not “people who might be interested.”
It’s a clearly defined group with shared traits, behaviors, and needs.
These traits can include:
Age, gender, income, or life stage
Interests, values, and lifestyle
Location
Buying behavior
Needs, challenges, or goals
How they prefer to consume content
The more clearly you define your audience, the easier everything else becomes.
Why Defining Your Audience Matters
If you don’t know who you’re talking to, your content becomes generic—and generic content gets ignored.
When you define your audience, you can:
Create more relevant content
Improve engagement
Use your time and budget more efficiently
Build stronger brand loyalty
Speak in a tone that actually resonates
Instead of guessing, you’re creating with purpose.
Think of it this way:
Good content speaks. Great content speaks to someone specific.
A Simple Way to Think About It
Instead of saying: “My brand is for everyone”
Try: “My brand is for ______ who struggle with ______ and want ______.”
Example: “My brand is for college students who want affordable, stylish apparel that feels personal.”
Now your content has direction.
Understanding Content Through the Funnel (TOFU / MOFU / BOFU)
Not all content serves the same purpose. Some content introduces your brand, some builds trust, and some drives action.
You may hear this described as:
TOFU (Top of Funnel) – Awareness (memes, viral content, introductions)
MOFU (Middle of Funnel) – Consideration (education, behind-the-scenes, value)
BOFU (Bottom of Funnel) – Decision (testimonials, promotions, calls to action)
This framework helps you avoid posting only one type of content and instead build a balanced strategy.
What Is a Blog Post (and Why It Still Matters)
Even in a world of short-form content, blog-style thinking is still incredibly important.
A blog post is simply:
Structured
Intentional
Written with a clear audience in mind
Designed to inform, teach, or communicate something specific
Why does this matter for social media?
Because strong social content follows the same principles:
Clear message
Defined audience
Intentional structure
Purpose behind the content
Whether it’s a caption, a video, or a full article—you’re telling a story.
Helpful Tools to Get Started
If you’re unsure how to define your audience, start by answering these questions:
Who is your content for?
How old are they or what stage of life are they in?
Where are they located?
What are they interested in?
What problems or challenges do they have?
What would they find helpful, entertaining, or valuable?
What type of content do they usually consume (videos, memes, posts, etc.)?
Where do they spend their time online?
What would make them stop scrolling?
Why would they care about your brand?
Answering these will give you a much clearer picture of who you’re creating for and help guide all of your content moving forward.
This will help you think through:
Who your audience is
What they care about
What they need
How your brand fits into their world
Additional Content Ideas to Explore
To deepen understanding, we can also think about:
1. Niche vs Broad Audiences Trying to reach “everyone” usually leads to content that connects with no one. Niche audiences, on the other hand, allow you to be specific, relatable, and intentional. When your message is tailored to a clearly defined group, it feels more personal and relevant, which increases engagement and trust. Smaller audiences often outperform broader ones because they see themselves in the content and are more likely to respond, share, and stay connected over time.
2. Personal Brands vs Business Brands Personal brands are built around an individual’s personality, experiences, and voice, while business brands are built around products, services, or a larger mission. This changes how you define your audience. A personal brand audience often connects through relatability and storytelling, while a business brand audience connects through value, solutions, and consistency. Understanding which type of brand you’re building helps shape how you communicate and what your audience expects from you.
3. Platform-Audience Alignment Not every audience spends time in the same place. Different platforms attract different types of users, behaviors, and content expectations. For example, a younger audience might be more active on TikTok, while a professional audience may be more engaged on LinkedIn. Choosing the right platform isn’t just about preference—it’s about meeting your audience where they already are and delivering content in a format they’re used to consuming.
4. Tone & Voice Your tone and voice should reflect both your brand and your audience. A brand targeting college students might use humor, slang, and a casual tone, while a brand targeting professionals may lean more structured and polished. The way you say something is just as important as what you say. When your tone aligns with your audience’s expectations, your content feels natural and authentic instead of forced or out of place.
5. Content That Misses the Audience Content can fail even if it looks good—simply because it doesn’t connect with the intended audience. This might happen when the message is too generic, the tone is off, or the content doesn’t address the audience’s interests or needs. For example, a highly polished, corporate-style post may fall flat with a younger audience looking for authenticity. Recognizing when content misses the mark helps you adjust and create more effective, audience-focused content moving forward.
Final Takeaway
Before you create content, define who it’s for.
Everything else—your visuals, captions, platform, and strategy—comes from that decision.
If you get this right, content becomes easier. If you skip this step, everything feels random.
Next up: turning your audience into actual content ideas.
As we continue building our class podcast, it’s time to start planning upcoming topics. Each student will choose one topic to speak about for at least 60 seconds.
To keep things interesting, no two students can choose the same topic. Once a topic is claimed, you’ll need to come up with something different or a unique angle.
Post your selected topic in the discussion. This will act as your “claim” so others can see what’s already taken.
Topic ideas to get you started:
A class you’ve taken or are currently taking
A specific project you worked on
Your first day or first experience at the school
An instructor who made an impact on you
A degree or program you would recommend
A memorable story or experience you’ve had at the school
Our goal is to create content that would encourage someone new to consider joining the program. Think about what stood out to you and how you would describe that experience to someone who knows nothing about the school.
Keep it positive, specific, and engaging.
Assignment 1A – Defining a Target Audience & Writing a Blog Post
*Submit Assignment into D2L
Now that you’ve started thinking about your brand, it’s time to take the first step in creating meaningful content: defining your audience and writing a blog post with purpose.
Step 1 – Define Your Target Audience
Start by identifying who you are creating content for.
Think beyond general ideas and be specific. Your audience should be clearly defined so your content feels intentional and relevant.
Include at least 3 identifying characteristics, such as:
Interests (gamers, athletes, artists, etc.)
Location (state, city, region)
Age range or life stage
Example: Gamers, ages 18–25, located in the Midwest
As we get closer to launching our pre-recorded class podcast, it’s time to record your individual audio segment!
Each episode will begin with a short introduction from me, and then your recordings will be woven into the episode. This is your chance to share your experience and perspective as part of the program.
Your Task
Record a 1–3 minute audio segment (minimum 60 seconds, maximum 5 minutes) where you introduce yourself and share something meaningful about your experience.
Start your recording with a quick introduction, similar to how we introduced ourselves in class.
Getting Started (Intro Ideas)
You can begin however you’d like, but here are a few ideas to help:
“Hi! My name is…”
“My name is ___, and I’ve been here for ___ semesters. Today I want to share…”
“You’re listening to Graphic Design Talk. My name is…”
“You wouldn’t believe what we did in ___ class…”
“My favorite part about this program is…”
A strong opening helps grab attention—feel free to be creative.
What to Talk About
Choose something that would be interesting or helpful to someone considering the program:
A class you’ve taken
A project you worked on
An instructor who made an impact
A skill you’ve developed
A personal story or experience
How the program has helped you so far
Think about what would make someone say, “That sounds awesome—I want to be part of that.”
Recording Tips
Find a quiet space (doors closed, minimal background noise)
Speak clearly and at a steady pace (slower is usually better)
Try multiple takes if needed—it’s completely normal
Consider writing out or outlining what you want to say
Keep your energy up—make it engaging and enjoyable to listen to
Most importantly: don’t overthink your voice. Everyone feels that way at first, and it’s completely normal.
Recording Options
You can use whatever method works best for you—keep it simple and focus on getting a clear, clean recording.
Some easy options include:
Recording a voice memo on your phone
Using your laptop’s built-in microphone with a simple audio recorder
Recording a video of yourself speaking and then extracting the audio
Using free recording apps or software you’re already familiar with
The most important thing is clear audio and minimal background noise. Don’t worry about having the “perfect” setup—just find a quiet space and record a few takes until you’re happy with it.
Submission
Export your audio file to your computer
Upload it into D2L
If you record multiple versions, feel free to submit more than one—I can help choose the best one
Do not add background music or sound effects. I’ll handle all editing and final production.
Final Note
Keep it authentic, keep it positive, and have fun with it.
Your voice will help represent the program and give future students a glimpse into what it’s like. This is your opportunity to share something memorable!
I’ll take care of making everything sound polished on the final podcast.
1. Campaign vs Daily Posting Posting randomly might keep your account active, but it rarely builds momentum. Campaigns create a connected series of posts with a clear goal and direction, allowing each piece of content to build on the last. This consistency helps your audience follow along, stay engaged, and understand what you’re trying to communicate, rather than seeing disconnected posts with no clear purpose.
2. Content Batching Content batching means creating multiple pieces of content at once instead of starting from scratch every day. This approach saves time, reduces stress, and helps maintain consistency. It also allows you to think more strategically, ensuring your content flows together instead of feeling rushed or repetitive.
3. Platform Strategy Not every platform works the same way, and not every campaign belongs everywhere. Different audiences prefer different platforms, and each platform rewards different types of content. A strong strategy considers where your audience already spends time and how they prefer to engage, allowing you to focus your efforts where they’ll be most effective.
4. Paid vs Organic Content Organic content helps you build trust and grow naturally over time, while paid content allows you to reach a larger audience more quickly. Both have value. Organic content is great for building relationships and brand identity, while paid content is useful when you want to promote something specific or accelerate results.
5. Campaign Lifecycle Every campaign follows a natural flow: launch, growth, peak, wrap-up, and review. Understanding this lifecycle helps you plan content more effectively, build anticipation, and maintain momentum. It also reminds you to reflect at the end—analyzing what worked and what didn’t so your next campaign can be even stronger.
Final Takeaway
Social media success isn’t about posting more.
It’s about posting with purpose.
Campaigns give your content:
Direction
Structure
Measurable results
Instead of asking: “What should I post today?”
Start asking: “What am I building this month?”
That’s where things start to click.
Discussion 2 – Local Businesses That Could Improve Their Online Presence
*Submit Discussioninto D2L
Take some time to explore local businesses in your area and evaluate their online presence.
Identify at least two businesses that could improve their digital presence—this could be related to their social media, website, or overall content.
For each business, include:
The business name
A link to their website and/or social media
Three specific suggestions for improvement
Think about things like:
Content quality and consistency
Branding and visuals
Website layout or usability
Engagement and communication
Be constructive and thoughtful—this is about identifying opportunities and thinking like a strategist.
Assignment 2 – Planning a Strategic Social Media Campaign
*Submit Assignment into D2L
Before creating content, strong brands take time to plan. This assignment is focused on building a clear, strategic foundation for your campaign so that everything you create moving forward has direction and purpose.
Create a strategic social media campaign plan for your brand. This is a planning assignment—you are not creating the content yet. Feel free to just type all this out for now in a document for this assignment.
Step 1 – Define Your Brand & Campaign Goals
Brand Description Is your brand new or established? What does it offer (products or services)?
Campaign Goal What is the main goal of your campaign? (Examples: increase awareness, build relationships, drive traffic, generate sales)
Platform Focus Which platforms will you focus on and why? (Examples: Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, YouTube)
Step 2 – Develop Your Strategy
Brand Identity
What is your mission or purpose?
Who is your target audience?
What tone will you use (fun, professional, bold, etc.)?
Competitive Edge
What makes your brand different?
What challenges or competition might you face?
Specific Objectives List 3 clear objectives for your campaign. (Examples: grow followers, increase engagement, drive website clicks)
Measuring Success How will you track results? Include measurable goals such as:
% increase in followers
Number of clicks or views
Engagement rates
Sales or conversions
Step 3 – Content Plan
Content List Outline the content you plan to create. Include basic ideas for each piece.
At a minimum, your plan must include:
One audio or video piece
Two written blog posts
Two photo or video ads (each with an alternative version for A/B testing)
One additional content piece of your choice
Any content you have already created
You are not creating these yet—just planning.
Content Timeline / Schedule
Create a simple rollout plan showing:
The order you will post content
A rough timeline
Example:
Day 1: Welcome Post
Day 3: Meet the Founder Blog + Image
Day 7: Promotion Post
Day 10: Educational Blog + Image
This helps you think about flow, consistency, and timing.
Submission
Submit your full campaign plan into D2L when complete.
Final Note
This assignment is one of the most important in the course. A strong plan leads to stronger content, better results, and a more realistic campaign experience.
Take your time and think strategically—this will guide everything you create moving forward.
Each platform behaves differently—but the core principles stay the same.
Additional Ideas to Explore
To deepen your understanding, think about:
1. Trend Lifespan Social media trends move quickly because they are driven by attention, novelty, and repetition. Once a trend gains traction, many people jump on it at the same time, which causes it to spread rapidly—but also burn out just as fast. As audiences see the same idea over and over, interest fades and something new takes its place. This is why timing matters—getting involved early can help you gain visibility, while jumping in too late often results in your content being overlooked.
2. Engagement Triggers People engage with content when it makes them feel something or gives them a reason to respond. This could be humor, relatability, curiosity, inspiration, or even controversy. Strong engagement often comes from content that invites interaction—asking questions, encouraging opinions, or making people feel seen. The more a piece of content connects emotionally or personally, the more likely someone is to like, comment, or share it.
3. First 3 Seconds Rule On social media, attention is limited. Users scroll quickly, and your content has only a few seconds to capture interest before they move on. The first 3 seconds are critical because they determine whether someone stops or keeps scrolling. A strong visual, bold statement, or intriguing moment at the beginning of your content can make the difference between being ignored and being watched.
4. Content Hooks A hook is what grabs attention immediately and pulls someone into your content. It can be a question, a bold claim, a surprising visual, or a relatable statement. Good hooks create curiosity or make the viewer feel like they need to keep watching or reading to understand more. Without a strong hook, even great content can go unnoticed, so it’s important to lead with something that stands out right away.
5. Timing & Consistency Posting at the right time and maintaining consistency helps your content perform better and keeps your audience engaged. While there is no perfect schedule for everyone, understanding when your audience is most active can improve visibility. Consistency also builds trust—when people know what to expect and when to expect it, they are more likely to follow and engage over time. Regular posting keeps your brand present and increases your chances of building momentum.
Final Takeaway
Social media isn’t random.
Trends create opportunity. Algorithms control visibility. Execution drives results.
If you understand how these three work together, you stop guessing—and start building momentum.
Discussion 3 – Rewriting Local Product Ads
*Submit Discussioninto D2L
Find two ads for products sold by a local company in your state.
Your task is to rewrite the copy only—this includes:
The headline
The caption or description
Any call-to-action
You will keep the same visual (photo or video), but create new messaging that gives the ad a different tone, angle, or appeal.
For each ad, include:
The original ad (link or screenshot)
Your rewritten version of the headline and copy
A brief explanation of your approach (What did you change? Why?)
Think about how different wording can change how an ad feels and who it connects with.
Now that your content is coming together, it’s time to build a real presence for your brand.
Your Task
Create at least one social media account for your brand on the platform you identified earlier.
Important Note (Privacy & Options)
You have a few options for this assignment:
You may create a new account specifically for this project
You may create a separate email and avoid using personal information
You may label the account as a “Demo” account
You may keep the account private or temporary
OR
If you already have an existing personal brand or business account, you may use that instead.
However, if you choose to use an existing account:
You must still meet all assignment requirements
Your posts should feel intentional and aligned with your brand
Avoid submitting accounts with random or unrelated content
Requirements
Your account should include:
A profile photo
A cover photo (if applicable)
A minimum of 6 posts that make your account feel complete and intentional
These posts can include content you created in Assignment 3A.
Submission
Submit a screenshot of your account into D2L.
Final Note
This is about experiencing what it’s like to build a brand presence—without pressure.
Whether you create a new account or use an existing one, focus on making it feel real, consistent, and aligned with your brand.
Live Chat
Dustin has made it even easier to reach out—our live chat has moved to a text-based system so you can connect with him instantly from anywhere, not just from your browser.
Text “HTC” to 952-248-8883 to start a new conversation and get help right from your phone.
