Social media Workshops: Detailed information on content, timings and tech requirements
This page is designed for organisations who want a detailed understanding of the Better Social Media workshops I run for Libraries, Archives and Museums (see equivalent page for University Departments). If you just want a general overview, and a list of the different versions of the social media training I offer, head to the main Training page!
There is also detailed information on both Presentation Skills and Strategic Marketing workshops. You can email me on nedpotter@ymail.com to discuss booking any workshop.
Workshop description
This hands on workshop covers key social media platforms, how they work and how to use them effectively. We’ll discuss building social media networks, increasing your following and increasing engagement, as well as managing multiple social media platforms and measuring and analysing impact.
In the first half we’ll cover what we’re trying to achieve as organisations on social media, and which role each platform plays in reaching different audiences. We’ll discuss Instagram and why it’s increasingly vital important to library and information services and other cultural organisations. We’ll look at content types, picture tips, use of hashtags, the increasing importance of Stories and Reels, and of course analysing and measuring impact.
In the second half we’ll move onto X (Twitter): when and what to tweet, lists and saved searches, multimedia and images, twitter video, logistics, and analytics - how to measure the impact of your Tweets.
We’ll end with some bite-size social media covering Facebook, YouTube and TikTok.
By the end of the course delegates will be able to:
Use social media more strategically, in conjunction with your other marketing
Understand and learn from statistics and analytics
Make use of relevant social media tools and techniques to help your organisation increase engagement online
Discern the different roles and areas of overlap between the various social media platforms
Everything in this training is designed to be applicable right away; this is not a workshop about the technologies of tomorrow, but rather things you can do the very next day. All the materials (slides and booklet) will be available online for delegates during and after the workshop.
[If you’re booking an in-house version of this workshop - so all the delegates are from the same organisation - it will be tailored to focus on the areas of your choosing.]
As the host organisation you would provide the webinar software (Zoom, Teams, Go-To or similar). I have a two-screen set-up (so I can always monitor the discussion and pick up on questions as they happen), high-speed internet connection and a high quality microphone. I can run the online training at a time to suit your time-zone!
Usually the online version of this course is 3 hours long, running from 10am to 1pm. Some organisations prefer to break this into two parts over two separate days.
the Online version of this workshop
The in-person version: Tech spec and room layout
This in-person runs from 10am - 4pm and requires every delegate to have a device with them. It can take place in a Computer Room, or in a seminar room if a) everyone brings devices with them, ideally laptops, although a tablet will work if need be, and b) there is strong wifi at the venue and plenty of plug sockets. These two factors are both really important, and the workshop wouldn’t work without them.
The workshop is normally capped at 25 people to make sure I can get a chance to speak to everyone individually during the tasks and exercises.
I will bring a laptop on which to present, and I’ll need a projector and screen supplied in the room. For this course the room will need to have wifi access and speakers I can plug in to the laptop.
Ned Potter is an Academic Liaison Librarian at the University of York, and a Trainer for various organisations including the Bodleian, the NHS and the British Library in the UK, and PiCS in Australasia.
His book The Library Marketing Toolkit was published by Facet in 2012. Ned can be found online at ned-potter.com and on Twitter at @ned_potter.
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Previous clients for whom I’ve run social media workshops:
UK: British Library, the NHS, UK Electronic Information Group, the Welsh Government, University of the Arts, Academic and Research Library Group, Library and Information East Midlands, University College Research Group, University of East London, Newcastle University, University of Sussex, CILIP Scotland, Scottish Academic Libraries Cooperative Training.
Elsewhere: PiCS Australia, New South Wales Libraries Australia, PiCS New Zealand, NEFLIN USA, SLA USA, WebJunction USA, Consortium of National and University Libraries Ireland, Initiative Fortbildung Germany.
Trainer Bio
“Very, very worthy use of my time, and enjoyable too! This will spur me and my colleagues on to continue improving our social media practices. Excellently organised and delivered course. Thank you.” SALCTG Scotland
“Ned Potter was a very engaging speaker and structured the session perfectly, taking us through the best practice for each social media tool. I have now discovered new analytical tools that will be useful in improving our library’s social media engagement. He also offered very useful advice in terms of what content is purposeful to put out on social media.” Library & Information East Midlands
“I’ll be bringing loads of new things back to teach others. I’m bursting with ideas. Great content, all legitimately relevant. Lots of good tips. I agree that everything Ned taught us can be used immediately as opposed to just talking about future trends like a lot of presenters do. Super practical!!” PiCS New Zealand
“Fantastic day again with Ned Potter. Lots of ideas, really knows his stuff. Really helps you choose what will work best for your library.” CONUL Ireland
“Ned is an expert presenter whom I would recommend to any colleagues with an interest in this topic.” Academic & Research Libraries Group
“Fantastic! The hands-on exercises were useful - not only did they help the learning to sink in but they encouraged us to think about real workplace-based ways in which tools could be used. The content was all very relevant because you had investigated what we already do/use. It all felt new and exciting.” Newcastle University
”Wide range of useful applications given with practical tips on how to use them. Time flew by and was really productive.” Buckinghamshire Healthcare Trust
“I thought this course was excellent, one of the best courses I have attended at the BL... ALL the content was useful - Ned was excellent in really understanding the BL collections and needs and shaping the course appropriately. I have already recommended this course to colleagues!” British Library
”I really enjoyed the day, opened my eyes to lots of new tools and made me realise that digital marketing doesn’t have to be Facebook” UKeIG
”Really useful, easily used ideas. Excellent session. Thank you very much indeed!” WebJunction USA
”Really enjoyed the day - I enjoyed the mixture of listening and hands-on practical work.I liked the relaxed style of the day. I learnt a lot and came away filled with ideas for better/new usage of social media. Thanks very much - really beneficial day.” NHS East Midlands