The Podcaster

Posts Tagged ‘Training’

We have now been running Social Media Briefings for 18 months. In that time we have worked with over 400 delegates in London, Belfast and Dublin as well as Hampshire, Berkshire and Oxfordshire.

Our training programs continue with an Introduction to Social Media briefings on October 5th, November 2nd and December 7th.

This is what some of them have said:

‘A great overview’

‘Very well presented, extremely enthusiastic – making it easy to learn’

‘Case studies were very interesting. I definitely gained new ideas’

‘Knowledge greatly increased’

‘Enjoyable discussion which will be extremely useful in my marketing’

‘Very interesting. Got the message across how important social media is’

‘Enjoyed the session. Learnt more than I thought’

‘Superb. Really got me thinking about social media. Very clear, informative, practical and challenging. An excellent session’

‘Gave lots of ideas for our business to go forward’

‘Great session. Would have liked more time and some practical help using the tools’

‘Wasn’t sure if a small group format would work but I loved how it meant we could talk about our specific business issues and needs with everyone. You cannot do that easily in a big seminar format. I realised our challenges were often the same as others.

We have just arranged dates for the next batch of half day briefings on Social Media.

The dates are:

• October 5th
• November 2nd
• December 7th

The briefings are held at our Southampton studios, last 3 hours (cost £30) and are divided into two sections. In the first section we examine the brief history of social media but also examine the background academic research into human behaviour that shows why this is no passing fad.

After looking at some of the key social media tools the second section focusses on a range of case studies so delegates can see what others are doing.

Some of these case studies are based upon published ones and some are based upon our work with clients. We look at what has helped make each a success.

If interested in finding out more details or booking a space call Nicky Anderson on 023 8044 8822.

Over the last 15 months over 200 people have attended our ‘An Introduction to Social Media’ briefings. (Click here for more info on the monthly briefings September to December 2010).

We are regularly asked by attendees if we could build on the case studies covered by helping them practically take the next steps and start using social media. In response to these requests we have now developed a series of ‘How-To’ workshops each lasting 3 hours. These build on and expand the topics covered in the briefing session so enabling people to get started quickly and easily.

The three workshops address the main phases of planning, implementing and then enhancing a social media communications strategy.

Each workshop will last 3 hours and start at 10am and end at 1pm with lunch. Refreshments will be provided throughout.

They are held in our digital media studios in Southampton.

Each session will cost £45 + VAT.

Places are strickly limited to allow maximum personal attention and real ‘how to’ knowledge and skills transfer.

Each workshop is self contained so people can ‘pick and mix’ as required or they can be taken as a series of 3.

Workshop 1 – Analysis and Planning (September 15^th)

Many people start using social media before they really understand its true value to them and their organisation or how return on investment (ROI) can be maximised. We always recommend that before using social networking tools like blogs, Twitter or YouTube it is best to understand what is already happening with your competitors, others in the industry and even with customers. In this workshop we look at a number of the free and paid for search and analytical tools that can help you understand the online ‘buzz’. We look at how you can start to engage in the conversation by commenting on other peoples blogs and in forums before starting your own. This approach creates a firm foundation of knowledge and understanding before expanding your activities. In the month following the session you will be able to refine your monitoring and participation so that by the time of the next workshop in October you will have a lot of valuable knowledge.

Workshop 2 – Getting Active – using social media (October 12^th)

Using the knowledge gained in the initial Briefing Session and research and practice in Workshop 1 we start to prepare and practice your active use of social media tools. We initially audit  your current internal materials, programs and resources and the content that maybe created across different groups and teams within your organisation. We look at how to set up and start using LinkedIn, Twitter, blogs, Flickr and podcasts. We look at how to define and develop a company Social Media Policy and Guidelines and how to establish and engage with a ‘content development’ team across multiple company functions. We look at how others have done the same thing and see what ‘best practice’ we can learn from them. We also look at how to set and measure ROI especially linking to key words and web site SEO. This session is very hands-on and aims to give you enough knowledge and confidence to create and develop your own online presence and not simply comment/read others. 

Workshop 3 – Unlocking the power of Audio and Video (November 9^th)

The value of audio and video on web sites plus podcasts and webinars is well known. Audiences for online content are growing rapidly. The BBC announced a few months ago that the iPlayer now has over 100m downloads a month. YouTube reports monthly downloads exceeding 1billion. More and more organisations are using these tools to create compelling content for use by customers and employees alike. Building on our many years of experience of audio and video production we look at what it takes to script, record and edit a/v content as well as webinars. We look at how senior management, product management, HR and Customer Service can all generate and share content. We look at how content can be ‘curated’ so that its ROI is increased. We will look at how content can be used to help drive ‘web traffic’ as well as create real value for the community. We will look at what tools are available to help create and support a community. We will look at how social media and Customer Relationship Management (CRM) systems can be made complimentary. Even better – during the session we will use the audio and video studios to create some podcast content.

 To book your session please call Nicky Anderson on 023 8044 8822.

For details and dates of the ‘Introduction to Social Media’ click here.

Following the successful Social Media/Web 2.0 briefing sessions in the Southampton studios last month and the upcoming ones on May 26th additional dates have been added on June 10th and July 6th.

One place is still available on the May 26th afternoon session at 3.45pm for a 4.00pm start. Ends 5.30pm.

Sorry. The morning session is full.

The additional dates:

June 10th – morning 10.00am for a 10.15am start with refreshments and ends at 11.45am.

June 10th – afternoon session will be from 2.00pm for a 2.15pm start with refreshments and end at 3.45pm.

July 6th – morning session will also start at 10.ooam for 10.15am and refreshments. Ends at 11.45am.

July 6th – afternoon session from 2.00pm for 2.15pm with refreshments. Ends 3.45pm.

What will the sessions cover?

In the session we will share our knowledge and experience of working on social media campaigns with our clients as well as case studies from other companies active in this space.

It will mix the latest academic and business trend research together with a background overview.

What will you learn?

•  The origins and growth of Social Media and Social Networking
• Academic research into human behaviour and our need to socialise (no – this is not a ‘fad’ that will go away!)
• Latest business research on the growth and trends
• The rise and rise of the Club Penguin generation – those 8 – 15 year olds who will be tomorrows employees and customers
• Case studies on what other people and organisations have done, why and what they found works – the really practical and valuable bit!
• How to integrate social media communications alongside traditional tools and the added value that this brings

The objective is to share our practical experience and knowledge so you are better able to understand the real value and use of social media to your own business.

Refreshments will be provided. Choose the time that best suits you.

Each session will last 1.5 hours.

Cost? £15 (including VAT)

The studio has ample car parking. 

Book early as places are limited to 6 people per session to maximise the value to attendees and allow a quick tour of the studios.

To book your place please call Nicky Anderson on 023 8044 8822 or email her at nicky.anderson@focusbiz.co.uk

Having run briefing sessions on Introduction to Social Media for over 400 people in the last 18 months in Northern Ireland, Oxfordshire, Hampshire, Berkshire and London I thought it would be useful to share some of the feedback on what people have said about them.

‘A great overview’

‘Very well presented, extremely enthusiastic – making it easy to learn’

‘Case studies were very interesting. I definitely gained new ideas’

‘Knowledge greatly increased’

‘Enjoyable discussion which will be extremely useful in my marketing’

‘Very interesting. Got the message across how important social media is’

‘Enjoyed the session. Learnt more than I thought’

‘Superb. Really got me thinking about social media. Very clear, informative, practical and challenging. An excellent session’

‘Gave lots of ideas for our business to go forward’

‘Great session. Would have liked more time and some practical help using the tools’

‘Wasn’t sure if a small group format would work but I loved how it meant we could talk about our specific business issues and needs with everyone. You cannot do that easily in a big seminar format. I realised our challenges were often the same as others.’

I will be helping Focus Business Communications with their briefing sessions on social media being held at their studios in Southampton in April and May.

What will the sessions cover?

In the briefing we will jointly share our knowledge and experience, and those of their clients and other companies active with social media.

 It will mix the latest academic and business trend research together with a background overview.

 What will people learn?

•  The origins and growth of Social Media and Social Networking
• Academic research into human behaviour and our need to socialise (no – this is not a ‘fad’ that will go away!)
• Latest business research on the growth and trends
• The rise of the Club Penguin generation – those 8 – 15 year olds who will be tomorrows employees and customers
• Case studies on what other people and organisations have done, why and what they found works – the really practical and valuable bit!
• How to integrate social media communications alongside traditional tools and the added value in this

 Our objective is to share our practical experience and knowledge so you are able to understand the value and use of social media for your own business.

 Refreshments will be provided. Choose the time that best suits you.

When?  Tuesday 27^th April and Wednesday 26^th May 2010

Start time: 8.30am for 8.45am start and 3.45pm for 4pm start

Each session will last 1.5 hours.

Cost? £15

The studio has ample car parking. 

Book early as places are limited to 6 people per session to maximise the value to attendees and allow a quick tour of the studios.

To book your place please call Nicky Anderson on 023 8044 8822 or email her at nicky.anderson@focusbiz.co.uk