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An introduction to social networking sites

Do you provide services and information? Or just want new, more powerful ways to promote your events and reach people?


What are YouTube, Twitter, Facebook,
Bebo and Ning and so on REALLY about?

We’ve been running a course on social networking in marketing and public relations for a couple of months now.

Before we ran it for the first time I said that if it didn’t attract more people than anything I have ever run, that I would eat my hat.

Well, I was right and my hat is pretty safe for the moment.

But I was also wrong.

I assumed only marketing professionals would be interested.

We have been inundated with interest from all sorts of people from all parts of the public sector. And most of them wanted an introductory course on the likes of YouTube, Twitter, Facebook, Bebo and Ning.

One that isn’t too technical, not just for marketing professionals and didn’t leave people feeling swamped.

I’ve asked Andrew Lloyd Gordon, who has been round the digital marketing blocks for years to put together an introductory day as soon as possible.

In case you are wondering why all the fuss, just ask yourself these three questions:

When people want to know something, where do they go? The internet. (YouTube could overtake Google here, by the way). When they want to buy something, where do they go? The internet. When they want to complain, where do they go? The internet.

YouTube, Facebook, MySpace, Wikis, social networking sites, photo-sharing sites, forums and bulletin boards, pod casts and videos, blogs, Twitter – they’re just some of the new media your service users are using.

These things are changing the way society operates. They’re changing the way YOU operate.

They’ve changed the way people behave. And they affect everyone who deals with people.

Fewer people are watching television, listening to the radio or reading newspapers. And if you use the local press to publicise your organisation and its events be careful - it is really struggling at the moment.

And if you are still not sure, look at some of the reasons why delegates decided to attend our courses:

Does any of that strike a chord with you?

No wonder there’s a fuss. There is no area where these things won’t radically affect how you provide services and information or how you involve people.

And don’t think for a minute that they are just for young people.

Actually, young people are leaving Facebook for other social networking media in droves. That’s because their parents are getting in on the act and flocking to Facebook as well as Twitter and other sites. 

In fact there is no group that isn’t using social networks. 

But things change with bewildering speed. So you don’t just need to know – you have to be bang up to date

The trick is to know what types of people are using the different social networks. Because what applies to one group might not with another.

Polish people in the UK tend to use one social network. Brazilians tend to use another. Working class young people tend to use MySpace. Middle class young people tend to use Facebook.
 
So you really do have to be on your toes to make effective use of social networking sites.  

If you are not careful you will miss the boat.

On this day we’ll cover:

As I say, everything will be as free of jargon as possible. You’ll see exactly how organisations are using social networks – with examples. And you will get a chance to ask any question you want about social networking sites.

We’ll do our best to make sure you don’t leave feeling swamped and that you have a practical plan of action.

Quite frankly, this is more than a course about a particular problem or subject. It is about how society is changing – and how you must change.

All material copyright to the Rod Laird Organisation 2010 ©

Your trainer

Andrew Lloyd Gordon has been round the digital marketing blocks for years to put together an introductory day as soon as possible.

What delegates say about this course

"I know 100% more than before!It was extremely useful and relevant. We are currently re-designing our website with a view to having a social networking presence (we don’t at all at the moment) and it was really good to see the different options and in fact to work out what is relevant for us.  The trainer Andrew was first class, listened as well as really knowing his stuff and was very approachable.  We’ve come back with a bundle of ideas. We’ve also identified some serious cost savings. I wouldn’t hesitate in recommending this course to anyone – in fact, if you’re planning on running any writing for web courses in Scotland in the near future then please let me know as I’d be very interested in attending!"
Ian Mountford, Communications Officer, Hanover (Scotland) Housing Association

"Excellent informative input."
Chris Bunyan, Group Manager A - Arson Reduction, Royal Berkshire Fire and Rescue Service

"This course provided me with a route map of how to get started - and the confidence to do it."
Tristan Lambert, Web Officer (Technical), Cambridge City Council

"Very informative at all levels of ability!"
Lisa Morris, Resident Involvement and Marketing Manager, Soha Housing

"I thought the course was very good and one that I would recommend to fellow colleagues. It gave plenty of new ways to engage with residents and provide our services."
Carl Jauncey, Senior Performance and Strategy Officer, Welwyn Hatfield District Council

"Was very informative. It taught me how to use different social sites and the theory behind them and what sites would be suitable for our organisation."
Gillian Cairns, Senior Housing Assistant, West of Scotland Housing Association

"This is the best course I have been on in ages. Totally involved and became passionate about the subject. An area I am very interesting in now. Fear factor now gone. Really excited about the concept and how it can help me in my role. I now know what social networking is and how to use them. I was very skeptical before but am now fully on board and have many ideas of how these can help our organisation engage more with customers. So interesting - fully recommend it."
Nicolette Aydin, Property Services Team Leader, Space New Living

"I gained understanding of the need for philosophy, strategy and resources."
Paul Smith, Information and Consultation Officer, East Sussex County Council

"Expanded my knowledge and understanding plus lots of useful links and suggestions."
Kristin Sjovorr, Temporary Accommodation, Hyde Housing Association

"Very interesting and informative, thought provoking and challenging."
Administration Assistant, Southampton City Council

"This course provided me with more confidence in direction that we need to pursue."
Rodger Patrick, Neighbourhood Co-ordinator, Trident Housing Association Ltd

"Learnt what sites were, how they work, how to use effectively. Liked in particular about RSS feeds - really useful for work."
Hilary Riley, Principal Librarian: Adult Services, Dudley Metropolitan Borough Council

"Gave a variety of tools to choose from."
Mark Henderson,Community Safety Inspector, Safer York Partnership

"This course provided me with new info on sites available and tools, how to put information on - link together different sites/streams, a strategy.”
Chris Brown, Youth Gateway Manager, Careers Wales (North West)



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