Would I need a degree in PR or Communications to start an online social media marketing business?

[anonymous]

I thought an IT degree with a minor in Communications would be good since that type of business would require alot of IT knowledge? Advice please!

[Ring0Rosie]

If you are starting your own business, you don't even need a high school diploma. Business owners make their own rules and can be 100% self-taught if they wish.

However, not all businesses are successful and it's always good to have a back up plan and a degree is a perfect back up plan so you can work for someone else if your business doesn't work.

I would suggest a IT or marketing degree. A degree in communications typically is not very valuable in the workplace, so it will be a better minor than a major.

[mikewill70]

I've found that there is a degree of technical to it but it's more about marketing, communications and sales. If your taking a degree in IT ( never a bad thing ) you've probably got more than enough technical knowledge.

Although the previous answer says that communications is less worthyI have to totally disagree!
I see it as a large part of social media! It's one of the MAIN ingredients.

You are taking great courses or the direction you are taking.
Keep going.

[Tom B]

Social media is constantly changing, as is IT, and a degree in those fields will be worthless in a matter of a few short years. Rather, the smartest thing is to learn how to run a business. Get a business degree; focus on financing, economics, and accounting. These skills will last for years and if you should change fields, you can transfer your knowledge with the adaptation.

Spend less money to learn about social media through less traditional means. No customers every ask if you have a social media degree. Instead, educate yourself on how to run a business through college and then spend your spare time sitting in on webinars and learning the basics of social media marketing from online companies.