Social Media Managers are in increasing demand, as companies begin to realise the power of social media in enterprise.

In the social media world, Influence is everything.

To find out how much social media influence you have, take our survey.
http://bit.ly/j1O7zs

Once completed, you will receive a report by email indicating your Social Media Influence rating.

You will be automatically entered into our prize draw* to win the very latest iPod Touch or a 50% discount for our 2 day course, Influence – Social Media Manager, that equips marketeers with the skills and knowledge they need to become effective Social Media Managers, creating and managing online communities and growing influence for a business or organisation online.

* Winner will be announced on the Influence web site on 11/7/11

Influence has already won the support of a number of regional heavyweights, including the North’s most successful independent PR agency, MC2.

The intensive, hands-on training programme combines practical problem solving sessions with industry-standard training delivered by experienced social media marketers, including representatives from Smoking Gun PR, Juice Digital and Real Fresh TV.

See what recent delegate, Tracey Crampton, managing director of TLC Design Communications had to say about the course:
Video testimonial: http://vimeo.com/23586840

Get more information on Influence at www.influencesocialmedia.co.uk

The grants will provide funding for charities to set up an online trading or fundraising business, or grow an existing online trading business, by taking advantage of platforms such as eBay for Charity to raise unrestricted funding for their charity. The aim of the scheme is to enable grant recipients to become more sustainable, and therefore better able to achieve their missions.

During the scheme’s trial period, two grants of up to £10,000 are available, with a view to exploring demand. If more than two sufficiently high quality applications are received, MissionFish may make further funds available to support them.

The programme will fund projects that secure a real change in the ability of a charity to raise funds through an online fundraising or trading business in order to better achieve its goals.

Such projects might include the following:

• Recruiting and training an employee and/or volunteers to manage the fundraising business.
• Identifying and renting space (eg a small warehouse) for the business.
• Providing equipment to be used by the business, for instance IT equipment.
• Other costs directly related to developing the fundraising business.
• A reasonable proportion of associated overhead costs, eg management, governance and compliance.
• Other projects that achieve the desired outcomes are also eligible.

More infomation

For more information please visit the Missionfish website at www.missionfish.org

We will meet at Dukes 92 (18 – 20 Castle Street, Manchester, M3 4LZ) at 6pm.

If you would like to come attend, please visit the MoMo LinkedIn page and for more information on Mobile Mondays please visit their website.

Lets Go Global, Trafford Council is seeking to appoint a Technical Manager to support the development, delivery and promotion of this pioneering project.

Lets Go Global is part of Trafford’s Transformation Programme which has just been launched and will examine new ways of working to deliver our services. This will provide a challenge for existing staff and you too, if you join us.

Adaptability to change is going to be a great asset so be prepared.

We need a dynamic and enthusiastic person with a broad range of technical know how and the ability to work in community settings. The role will require excellent communication skills, a flexible work approach and the ability to work effectively as part of a team and under pressure.

You will have experience of media streaming technologies, web based content management systems, broadband connectivity infrastructure, networking, maintaining ICT and media equipment & knowledge of web 2.0, Open Source software & social networking tools. You will also have to demonstrate at least three years’ experience in this field of work.

For more information about the role contact Karen Shannon 0161 912 1304, email karen@letsgoglobal.tv

For more information about Lets Go Global go to www.letsgoglobal.tv

How to apply

Please visit the ‘Your Council Job’ website for more information on the position and to apply.

Each event features a panel of experienced digital and social media marketers who discuss social media projects and issues presented by the audience.

The informal networking events offer an opportunity to find out how other companies are benefitting from using free social media tools like Twitter, Facebook and LinkedIn to market and grow their businesses.

The next Manchester Social Media Surgery event is on Tuesday 14 June from 5:30-7:30pm at
Real Fresh TV, Peter House, Oxford Street, Manchester M1 5AN

The theme for the June Social Media Surgery is:

‘Creating Social Media Content and Analysing Engagement Stats’

Social Media Surgeons confirmed so far:
Ian Pettigrew, (@KingfisherCoach on Twitter), Kingfisher Coaching, Surgery participant turned Surgeon!
Carol Maughan (@DLA_Piper_News on Twitter), Web Content Developer, DLA Piper UK LLP
Richard Frost (@richardfrosty), Managing Editor of specialist search agency theEword and one of the organisers of @BigGreenFest
Chi-chi Ekweozor, (@realfreshtv on Twitter), Director, social media consultancy, Real Fresh TV

Community groups curious about using social media most welcome.

Manchester Social Media Surgery events are organised by Chi-chi Ekweozor, (@realfreshtv on Twitter), director of Real Fresh TV, the social media training and implementation consultancy, as an outreach project of the popular Social Media Cafe Manchester network (@smc_mcr on Twitter).

Sign up to attend

http://socialmediamanchester.net/events/june-2011-manchester-social

We’re also on LinkedIn!
If you have a question for the surgeons, please post it on our new LinkedIn Group:
http://www.linkedin.com/groups?gid=3120264&goback=%2Eanh_3120264&trk=NUS_UNIU-ngroup

About the Event Organiser

Real Fresh TV provides social media consultancy, training and implementation support on digital projects in the region. Recent clients include Clock Creative, Contact Theatre Manchester, and Xyone. Need help with social media marketing? Contact us http://www.realfresh.tv/

Let Chi-chi Ekweozor, director of leading social media training and implementation consultancy, Real Fresh TV enthuse you with actionable strategies for using these new ways of communicating to engage with new customers, generate qualified leads and reduce marketing costs. The net effect for your business: increased sales.

Attend one of our social media training courses and learn how to:

• Use social media marketing to increase your website traffic: get on page one of Google’s search results without spending a penny!
• Use Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn to reduce marketing costs by generating more qualified leads.
• Use free online tools to monitor the online reputation of your business or organisation.

All Real Fresh TV’s training courses are included in the Chartered Institute of Public Relations (CIPR) http://www.cipr.co.uk/ Continuous Professional Development (CPD) scheme.

Testimonials

“Thank you for a very informative session today. I really enjoyed it and have put it to good use already.” Danielle Trachillis, Ma Baker @ World of Water, Blackpool

“I really enjoyed the course, it was extremely engaging, with a good mix of learning methods. It has taught me invaluable tips for Twitter and blogging, as well as how to make the most out of social media monitoring tools. I now feel confident in devising and implementing a social media campaign for my clients.” Laura Beccaria, MC2

“I found the course very useful and it gave me what I needed. I now need to implement my new found knowledge. I enjoy your presentation style and you make everyone comfortable and at ease.
I will book on the next course as soon as possible.” Chris Conboye, Cat3 Systems

Read more testimonials at http://www.realfresh.tv/testimonials/

Our half day courses take place from 9:30am to 12:30pm at Peter House, Oxford Street, Manchester, M1 5AN

Please note: places are strictly limited and are available on a first come first served basis only. Book now to avoid missing out.

Social Media Marketing Training Events in June 2011

Level 1 – Social Media Starter Course
‘A thorough grounding in the theory, practice and business benefits of social media marketing’

The Social Media Starter Course, the UK’s longest running ’social media for beginners’ course is an insight-filled half day workshop designed to equip you with the skills and knowledge to grow and market a business using social media. Learn which social media tools are best for connecting your business with potential customers, tips and techniques to get started and in-depth case studies of businesses doing it right. Early Bird: £120+VAT, Standard: £150+VAT.

Event Summary: Social Media Starter Course
Venue: Peter House, Oxford Street, Manchester, M1 5AN
Date: Tuesday 7 June 2011
Time: 9:30am-12:30pm
Early Bird: £120+VAT, Standard: £150+VAT.
Register: http://socialmediastartercourse-june-2011.eventbrite.com/

Level 1 – Introduction to Social Media for Media Professionals
‘A thorough grounding in the theory, practice and benefits of marketing content using social media’

The Introduction to Social Media for Media Professionals course is a tailored social media starter course for media and marketing professionals. Designed specifically for professionals and freelancers in the digital, TV, radio and games industries, it focuses on developing multi-platform content development skills. Learn how to develop a content strategy for connecting new customers with your media business or brand using social media including LinkedIn, Twitter and Facebook. Early Bird: £120+VAT, £150+VAT.

Event Summary: Introduction to Social Media for Media Professionals
Venue: Peter House, Oxford Street, Manchester, M1 5AN
Date: Thursday 9 June 2011
Time: 9:30am-12:30pm
Early Bird: £120+VAT, £150+VAT.
Register: http://introtosocialmediaformediapros-june-2011.eventbrite.com/

Level 2 – The Learning Social Media By Doing Course
‘Hands on skills development in developing and implementing a social media strategy’

The Learning Social Media By Doing Course was developed after attendees to the Social Media Starter Course demanded a more hands on, practical workshop in which to develop skills and experience in using social media to grow their businesses and connect with new customers. Topics covered include social media monitoring tools and how to use them, using a blog to improve natural search engine rankings and growing a professional network using LinkedIn and Twitter. Early Bird: £120+VAT, Standard: £150+VAT.

Event Summary: The Learning Social Media By Doing Course
Venue: Peter House, Oxford Street, Manchester, M1 5AN
Date: Wednesday 8 June 2011
Time: 9:30am-12:30pm
Early Bird: £120+VAT, Standard: £150+VAT.
Register: http://learningsocialmediabydoing-june-2011.eventbrite.com/

Level 3 – Social Media Monitoring Training Course
‘Hands on training in how to save time by using social media to manage social media’

The Social Media Monitoring Training Course is designed specifically for people who, now familiar with using social media, need to manage the time they spend on the various platforms effectively.
The course has been developed in response to requests for a hands-on training session on how to use free online tools to measure the success of a social media campaign and listen and respond to comments on Twitter, blogs and the wider web. Early Bird: £120+VAT, £150+VAT.

Event Summary: Social Media Monitoring Training Course
Venue: Peter House, Oxford Street, Manchester, M1 5AN
Date: Tuesday 21 June 2011
Time: 9:30am-12:30pm
Early Bird: £120+VAT, £150+VAT.
Register: http://socialmediamonitoringtrainingcourse-june-2011.eventbrite.com/

About the Event Course Organiser

Real Fresh TV http://www.realfresh.tv/ is a social media training and implementation consultancy based in Manchester. Founded by early online video pioneer, Chi-chi Ekweozor in 2005, we are a small but ambitious digital creative outfit specialising in delivering social media powered marketing and PR solutions.

Our services include:
Managed social media marketing solutions, website and blog design and development, social media strategy development and implementation and social media marketing training.

We advise organisations as varied as T-Mobile, Arts Council England, iknowUK and Contact Theatre on how to engage effectively with people online using social media. We also deliver industry-leading continuing professional development (CPD) training on social media.

CTT was founded in 2001 and aims to bridge the gap between charities, non-profits and the technology sector to help organisations improve their effectiveness.

They provide support and services to over 9,000 charities across the UK, which include:

• CTXchange: a technology donation programme in cooperation with companies such as Microsoft, Symantec and Cisco
• CTPayments: a payments processing solution for finance and fundraising
• CTComms: which offers a managed email marketing service, including training and support

In their tenth year, CTT are keen to engage new and interested charities and non-profits around some of the challenges we face. Richard Craig, their CEO will join us to look at:

• How do we continue to support and encourage digital inclusion within the third sector and hard-to-reach communities
• What is the cloud and why should we get involved?
• What can we expect from changes in the growth of technology in how charities and non-profits fundraise?

Richard will lead us through some of the thinking and actions of CTT and we hope to bring a lively discussion.

Why should you attend?

If you work with or for a charity, non-profit or social enterprise across the Greater Manchester region, then technology will have had an increasing influence on your activities in terms of:

• Engaging and supporting the people you serve
• Running your organisation across an increasingly fragmented work and social space
• Attracting and keeping supporters and donors

This FREE event will provide information, advice and guidance – plus a chance to meet others in the sector.

How to Register

You can register for the event and find out more information here.

The session will be jointly presented by 3 User Experience professionals who use Axure RP in their day to day work and will share projects they have worked on providing insights along with tips and tricks.

A brief intro and overview of Axure RP for those not familiar with the software will be followed by details of how Axure has been used in an Agile environment to produce high fidelity prototypes.

There will be an opportunity to discuss any projects or techniques you use, so please feel free to bring along anything for discussion.

More Information

Visit the event bright page for more information

Thinking Digital brings together leading thinkers, creative’s and innovators from around the world to share and inspire us with their insight and innovations.

So if you can’t make it to Gateshead, come to The Annexe and get a taster of their amazing line up of speakers for yourself. You will be able to ask you questions or comment using the twitter hash tag #TDC11 (and Cornerhouse wifi).

Tickets

£25 full / £20 concs for one day or £35 full / £30 concs for the 2 days

Price of the ticket includes teas, coffees and biscuit throughout the day and a glass of wine at the end of the second day.

Please note: 2 days passes are only available when booking on the phone (0161 200 1500) and in person

More Information

www.cornerhouse.org/thinkingdigital

Programme

Full details, including speaker’s biographies, can be found on the Thinking Digital Website

Wed 25 May
08:15 doors open, 08:45 Live cast starts
08:45 – 10:30: The Future of Media (Gerd Leonhard; Atau Tanaka; Paul Rawlings; Walter de Brouwer)
11:05 – 12:50: Session 2 – Thinking Digital (Nicole Yershon; Bobby Paterson; Steve Rubel; Conrad Wolfram)
12:50: LUNCH BREAK.
14:05 – 16:00 Session 3 – Mind over Matter (Sam Martin; Caroline Philips; Steven Bathiche; Patrick Meier)
16:30 – 18:15: Session 4 – Resonance (Nancy Duarte; Wladimir Baranoff-Rossine; Erin McKean; Heather Knight)

Thu 26 May
08:30 doors open, 09:00 Live cast starts
09:00 – 10:30: The Medium is the Message (Paul Smith; Matthew Postgate; Carlos Ulloa; Caspar Berry)
11:05 – 12:50: From Data to Wisdom (Chris Hatala & Wesley Burt; Vincent Li; Jer Thorp)
12:50: LUNCH BREAK.
14:05 – 16:00 Session 3 – Cognitive Surplus (Dan Serfaty; Alan Cohen; Tan Le; Tom Scott)
16:00: Drinks and networking on The Annexe balcony.

Grant for R&D offers funding to help SMEs engage in technology-based R&D projects from which successful new products, processes and services could emerge, stimulating future economic growth.

Three types of grant are available – for proof of market projects, proof of concept and development of prototype. Depending on the type of grant, funding levels range from £25,000 to £250,000.

The Technology Strategy Board’s Grant for R&D scheme is a successor to the programme which was previously available from many of the Regional Development Agencies, and shares similar objectives. It will work alongside existing programmes in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.

However Grant for R&D is not simply a continuation of the RDA schemes; some of the arrangements and criteria are different. Businesses wishing to apply will need to study the guidance for applicants carefully and note that applications will have to be tailored specifically to the new scheme.

Grant for R&D is open now; for full information including eligibility and how to apply, please see http://www.innovateuk.org/deliveringinnovation/grant-for-research-and-development.ashx

Guidance for applicants

Download the brief

Application process & supporting downloads

• Access to registration and documentation
• Guidance for applicants – Proof of Market
• Guidance for applicants – Proof of Concept
• Guidance for applicants – Development of Prototype
• Frequently Asked Questions