We have now updated our schedule of half day Social Media Overview and Getting Started Workshops and half day Audio and Video Podcast Production Workshops for Q1 2012.

The Overview and Getting Started Workshop aims to give everyone a good understanding of when and why social media started to grow as rapidly as it has done (and continues to do so), what the usage patterns are across Europe and review a number of case studies to understand how other organisations – public and private sector – are using the various tools successfully.  The second half of the session focusses on setting up and developing content for Twitter, Facebook, Flickr and blogs. We will also look at the value of LinkedIn for online community networking. The Workshop is kept small – no more than 4 people – to ensure that the needs of each attendee and their organisations can be addressed.

The Audio and Video Podcast Production Workshops are also kept to a maximium of 4 people so that we spend the maximum amount of time in the studio working on planning, recording, editing and producing a podcast and then learn how social media can help promotion to maximise audience engagement. In the Workshop we will cover the use of audio and video for e-Learning and for internal and external communication.  We will look at case studies of organisations that are sucessfully using podcasts, web video and webinars.

The dates for the next workshops are:

Date                                                                                                                                

February 21st 2012                       Overview and Getting Started Workshop                          10.00 – 13.00

February 21st 2012                      Audio and Video Podcast Production Workshop               14.00 – 17.00

March 13th 2012                           Overview and Getting Started Workshop                           10.00 – 13.00

March 13th 2012                           Audio and Video Podcast Production Workshop                14.00 – 17.00

Details of each workshop are are shown below:

Overview and Getting Started Workshop

Using a mix of case studies and practical examples delegates will learn how to:

• Develop a business case for senior management and boards
• Prepare a social media strategy and plan
• Provide usage guidelines/training for employees
• Maximise the value of communities for employee recruitment, retention and skills development
• Understand the dynamics of online communities
• About the role of influencers and ‘crowd sourcing’ ideas and content
• How to use key tools effectively to engage with online communities (Facebook, Twitter, Blogs, Flickr, and Podcasts)
• How to generate regular content to attract and retain audiences
• How to integrate social media communication with traditional marketing campaigns
• How to set and measure ROI
• How to track and analyse what people are saying about you and your industry and 3rd party organisations/competitors

The session will be interactive with exercises, use of internet resources and examination and exploration of case studies and practical examples from a range of public and private sector organisations.

All delegates will gain enough knowledge and understanding to either start or improve their organisations use of social media.

Who should attend?  Marketing managers, customer service managers and others involved in talking to and engaging with customers and prospective customers and influencers.

Lasts 3 hours.  Refreshments provided.

Cost – £75 plus VAT

Audio and Video Podcast Production Workshop 

Using the technical facilities in the studio as well as practical examples you will learn

• How to plan and organise podcast production
• How to script, prepare and conduct interviews
• How to develop ideas for a series to help maximise the opportunity for community growth
• How to prepare to be interviewed and conduct interviews*
• The practicalities of audio and video production in offices, studios and on location
• The value of audio and video in e-learning (internal and external) and employee communication
• About audio and video recording equipment
• How to editing and finalise audio and video
• Post production – the power of music, voice-overs and advanced editing techniques
• Publishing online – YouTube, iTunes and self hosting
• Engaging with the audience and crowdsourcing content
• How to use social media to help establish and grow communities
• The value and use of webinars and web video

(* Note:  For details of our Advanced Presentation Skills course please see here)

During the session extensive use will be made of the recording and editing facilities in the studios and in-house technical resources.  All delegates will be actively involved in the production of an audio podcast about their organisation. This will be post-produced and hosted by Focus free of charge for 12 months so providing organisations with a way to help promote their business and evaluate the value of podcasts.

Case studies and practical examples will also be used throughout the session.

All delegates will leave with enough knowledge to be able to plan and start scripting audio and video content and to evaluate the value of web based video and webinars to their organisations.

Who should attend?  HR specialists with a responsibility for employee communications and training/skills development, communications and CSR specialists, marketing and customer services managers.

The Workshop lasts 3 hours.  Refreshments are provided.

Cost – £145 plus VAT

All are held at our studios in Southampton where we have ample parking in our onsite car park or free on the local roads.