workshop: How to use a blog to market your business

• Time: 4pm - 7pm
• Date: Wednesday 28 July 2010
• Location: Tomorrow Studio, Level 1, 193 Wakefield Street, Adelaide
• Cost: $99 inc GST per person
• Maximum participants: 6
• Workshop convenor: Clayton Wehner
• Prerequisites: A good understanding of the web
• What to bring: Wireless-enabled laptop computer

Enquiries about this workshop, including alternate payment methods, should be directed to Clayton Wehner at contact@bluetrainenterprises.com.au.

About the Workshop

If you haven't heard of 'blogs' (short for 'web logs'), then you have probably been living under a rock for the past 5 years.  They're everywhere!

Here's the Wikipedia definition: A blog (a contraction of the term "weblog") is a type of website, usually maintained by an individual with regular entries of commentary, descriptions of events, or other material such as graphics or video. Entries are commonly displayed in reverse-chronological order.

A blog is essentially an online diary or journal, published on the web for all comers to read, share and syndicate.   Millions of new websites have spawned as a result of this 21st century user-generated content phenomenon. 

But blogs aren't just for personal use - they also happen to be a great medium for organisations to communicate externally with existing and prospective customers and internally with employees.

Not only are blogs are great way to communicate directly to people, but they're also great fodder for the search engines.  Google et al. will appreciate your commitment to publishing regular posts on your blog and will reward you with improved search engine results!  That means more business for your organisation.

In short, it's a good idea for your organisation to blog.  And you should start doing it right away.

Prerequisites

Participants should be familiar with the web, with internet connections and using web browsers. 

Workshop outline

The following topics will be covered in the workshop:

• What is a blog?
• Why are blogs great?
  • Provide a means of adding fresh content to your website
  • Means of connecting with your clientele and ‘humanising’ your business
  • Link bait
  • Indexed readily by search engines
  • RSS syndication
• Blogging platforms
  • Typepad
  • Blogger
  • Wordpress.com
  • Wordpress.org
• Wordpress.org server-based installation
  • How to install
  • Applying a theme
  • Customising widgets
  • Plug-ins
  • Blog posts
  • Managing comments
• Blogging principles
  • Dos and Don’ts
  • Coming up with content ideas
• Case Study: Problogger
• Examples of great blogs

The trainer - Clayton Wehner

Clayton has operated web-based businesses since 2003. His company Blue Train Enterprises Pty Ltd currently owns and operates several Web 2.0-enabled web brands, namely online bookstore Boomerang Books,  and Canberra-based online jobs board CapitalJobs.com.au. He has implemented blogs, wikis, social networking strategies and Web 2.0 enabled websites. Unlike some other consultants who train others in web-related disciplines, Clayton practices what he preaches.

Clayton has significant experience in training, leadership and management roles, having served as an Army Intelligence and Infantry Officer for 12 years. His grounding in leadership and management was received at the Australian Defence Force Academy and the Royal Military College, Duntroon. He has also worked as the Chief Executive Officer of an award-winning SME recruitment company; as an executive-level public servant with the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade; and as a management consultant with ASX-listed company SMS Management and Technology.

Clayton holds a Bachelor of Arts with Honours and a Masters of Management Studies, majoring in Human Resource Management, both from the University of New South Wales. Among other qualifications, Clayton holds a Certificate IV in Workplace Assessment and Training which permits him to deliver accredited training.