Early-Stage Startups
Designed for founders with an idea, prototype or early customers. It is especially useful for learners who need a structured, practical route into social media strategy rather than a purely theoretical overview.
ESH-03573 · Marketing
Social Media Strategy Executive for Early-Stage Startups — Marketing
A 14-hour advanced course for founders with an idea, prototype or early customers who want to make higher-stakes strategic decisions and lead execution in social media strategy. The course combines the marketing context with practical frameworks, realistic cases, guided exercises and a final applied output. Participants finish with a structured approach they can adapt to a real venture, team or project.
Self-paced online14 hoursAdvancedEarly-Stage StartupsLead pathway
What you need
A current startup or validated venture concept is recommended.
European Startup Hub Certificate of Completion — Social Media Strategy Executive
Executive cases, decision memos and a final board-level action plan.
Learning outcomes
What you will be able to do.
Outcome 1
Explain the core principles of social media strategy in the context of marketing.
Outcome 2
Diagnose a realistic social media strategy challenge using structured startup tools.
Outcome 3
Build a practical social media strategy output appropriate for early-stage startups.
Outcome 4
Evaluate evidence, assumptions and trade-offs before making social media strategy decisions.
Outcome 5
Apply social media strategy methods to a venture, project or organisational scenario.
Outcome 6
Create a next-step action plan that can be used after the course.
Full syllabus
10 course modules.
Each module combines explanation, examples and an applied activity.
Module 1
Foundations of Social Media Strategy
Practical study of foundations of social media strategy with examples, prompts and an applied activity.
Module 2
The Marketing context
Practical study of the marketing context with examples, prompts and an applied activity.
Module 3
Customers, users and stakeholder needs
Practical study of customers, users and stakeholder needs with examples, prompts and an applied activity.
Module 4
Tools and frameworks for Social Media Strategy
Practical study of tools and frameworks for social media strategy with examples, prompts and an applied activity.
Module 5
Evidence, data and assumptions
Practical study of evidence, data and assumptions with examples, prompts and an applied activity.
Module 6
Designing the approach
Practical study of designing the approach with examples, prompts and an applied activity.
Module 7
Execution and operating decisions
Practical study of execution and operating decisions with examples, prompts and an applied activity.
Module 8
Measurement and key indicators
Practical study of measurement and key indicators with examples, prompts and an applied activity.
Module 9
Risks, ethics and common failure modes
Practical study of risks, ethics and common failure modes with examples, prompts and an applied activity.
Module 10
Case study: Social Media Strategy in practice
Practical study of case study: social media strategy in practice with examples, prompts and an applied activity.
Assessment
Executive cases, decision memos and a final board-level action plan.
Included materials
Digital course notes · Practical worksheets · Case exercises · Action-plan template · Completion record in ESH ID
Learning support
Platform learning support; live facilitator interaction is included where the delivery format states Live online or Blended online.
Course information & certificate scope
Educational programme. Completion does not constitute professional, legal, financial or investment advice and does not guarantee funding, employment or business outcomes. Any certificate issued through this platform is an ESH Certificate of Completion unless a specific external accreditation is explicitly stated. Catalogue version 2026.1 · Last reviewed 2026-08-24.
Ready to begin?
Social Media Strategy Executive for Early-Stage Startups — Marketing · 14 hours · Self-paced online
Enrol for €450