Record Turnout for Free Social Media Surgery for Manchester Businesses
Manchester Social Media Surgery, in progress
Last month’s Social Media Surgery for Manchester business saw a 300% increase in attendees following coverage in regional industry press.
The free monthly Social Media Surgery events which help Manchester businesses embrace the social media revolution in order to grow and market their companies saw an influx of new attendees.
Amongst the record turnout was Samrana Hussain (@SamranaHussain on Twitter), Business Reporter at Crain’s Manchester Business, the weekly business newspaper for Greater Manchester who commented:
“The event was well-organised with a good range of speakers who knew how to use the social media tools in discussion.
Social media is being increasingly used to market and connect with businesses and consumers. The workshops offer an avenue to explore and discuss how individuals and companies can capitalise on the media. “
The event was chaired by Jon Clements (JonClements on Twitter), partner at Manchester PR agency, Staniforth who adds:
“There are great opportunities for businesses to find and engage with people via social media, if they have a good grasp of the various online destinations and how to work best within them. The Social Media Surgery is a rare concept – giving businesses a free introduction to the latest approaches and knowledge from those using social media professionally.”
Organisations that attended the event at Innospace, Manchester Metropolitan University’s business incubator ranged from IT firms to PR agencies and non-profits. A full account of the event is including short video clips is available on the live blog.
First time attendee Paul Anderson of e-Government specialist Intersoft Developments commented:
“I found the Social Media Surgery extremely useful. It provided an opportunity to pick up some practical golden nuggets which I will certainly be looking to implement into our strategies. I would highly recommend the event to all types of business; practical advice from experienced people.”
Manchester Social Media Surgery events have taken place once a month since launch in December 2009. They are organised on a voluntary basis by Chi-chi Ekweozor, director of Real Fresh TV, the social media training and implementation consultancy, as an outreach project of the popular Social Media Cafe Manchester network.
Another new face at the Surgery, Lauren Walker, Marketing Services Officer at the Community Foundation for Greater Manchester adds:
“I found the Social Media Surgery to be really helpful and interesting. The advice given by the panel members on using Twitter was very useful, particularly as it was always explained in a relevant, business context, using ‘real life’ examples, so you could easily understand how to use their tips in your own workplace. I would definitely recommend the Social Media Surgery to others as you can learn so much and it’s free!”
The next Manchester Social Media Surgery is on Tuesday 11th May at the offices of the Manchester Digital Development Agency (MDDA), Lower Ground Floor, 117-119 Portland Street from 5:30pm to 7:30pm.
The theme of the event is:
‘What businesses can learn from how social media is used during the 2010 UK elections.’
Social media surgeons at the event are:
Adrian Slatcher, (@adrianslatcher) Senior Digital Development officer, MDDA – Chair
Katie Moffat, (@katiemoffat) Social media consultant, organiser of Manchester Twestival and Manchester Digital council member
Nigel Barlow, (@nigelbarlow) freelance journalist, co-founder of hyper-local news site for Manchester, Inside the M60
Matt Hackett, (@mattorchard) Manager, Digital & Marketing Recruitment Team at Orchard
Sarah Hartley, (@foodiesarah) Local launch editor for The Guardian New!
Refreshments at the May Social Media Surgery event is sponsored by Euroffice, the UK’s leading office supplies company.
To attend sign up here.
Finally, here’s a short video clip from the last event:
Related posts:
- 5 Questions Businesses Are Too Scared To Ask About Social Media Marketing
- Manchester Social Media Surgery welcomes Crain’s Manchester Business
- Free Social Media Surgery for Businesses in the North West
- Free Social Media Surgery for Manchester Businesses in October
- Free Social Media Surgery for Manchester Businesses in November
