A workshop by Social Media Community Interest Company

Suitable for: freelancers or small business-owners.
Can also be delivered for: businesses whose staff want to build awareness of the internet; political representatives and officers; community groups.

The internet: A vast array of pointless information, populated by people wasting time. Or, a global revolution that will transform the way we live?

This is an introductory workshop for anybody who wants to widen the possibilities for their business or group. You will come away with a toolkit and the confidence to help you to build your own website with no ongoing cost, as well as identifying which is the most effective type of web presence for your needs, whatever they are.

For example, many people running small businesses or community organisations can’t afford to have a website built for them so they assume that means they can’t have one. Some have a website built, but then can’t update it themselves. This workshop will equip you with the confidence to use free tools to build a professional website in a matter of minutes and to build your profile online in the most time-efficient way for your needs.

The 2-3 hour workshop is designed for people at all levels of technological ability, but particularly for anybody fearful of technology – there will be limited contact with live computers so don’t worry about your technical ability. All the tools we will look at can be accessed anywhere, so you don’t need a computer of your own to build and maintain your own website.

Your trainer is an online communications and networking practitioner with eight years experience of using the web to build popular websites, global networks and tools used for collaboration by diverse groups of people with varying degrees of access to technology and experience. As well as developing a number of projects in Stoke-on-Trent, she has run workshops and developed collaborative projects for a peacebuilding community whose members are scattered across Central Africa, America, Canada, China and the UK. Although she is evangelical about the possibilities of the social web, she is also sensitive to the barriers and limitations that people experience with computer technology.

You’ll learn:

- how to build a professional and useful website that you can maintain for free

- how to ensure yourself and your business can be found online

- how to network online and raise your profile locally and globally

- which tools and services will be of most benefit to your specific needs

- what you should be aware of about your information and privacy online

You’ll get

- a resource pack with all the information and guidelines you’ll need to use several key free tools and service providers local to Stoke-on-Trent.

- membership of an email list to stay updated with new developments

£12 per person or £150 + expenses to commission for a group of around 10. Half-day workshop.
To register your interest in taking part next time a workshop is held, email editor @ localedition.org.uk.