A Brand new initiative has just begun in North Staffordshire, called The Factory, which gives creative businesses and individuals in the creative sector free training, development and resources to launch, grow and develop their creative business.
The Factory, which is free for any North Staffordshire Creative business to participate, is also offering a small capital grant fund to support the purchase of equipment that will help creative companies develop and grow their business.
The first batch of free workshops, detailed below, being in late May, and cover a wide range of important aspects of growing a creative business in Staffordshire and beyond.
The Factory is a partnership project between Staffordshire University, Burslem School of Art and North Staffordshire Chamber of Commerce and Industry.
The training opportunities are all free of charge to businesses that have signed up to the Factory Creative Industries programme. Details of how to sign up and how to book onto the free courses are detailed at then bottom of the list
Staffordshire Arts will keep this page up with the latest courses and opportunities from The Factory as we get them.
It would be good to see a similar programme rolled out into the wider Staffordshire – what do you think? Comment box available at the bottom of the page.
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[h2]Free Training Workshops for Staffordshire Creative Businesses[/h2]
[h3]Brand Development and Implementation[/h3]
Dates:
Wednesday 29 May 2 – 5pm.
Wednesday 19 June 2 – 5pm
Wednesday 18 September 2 – 5pm
A workshop that introduces you to branding, and explores how it plays a key part in engaging your audience and customers with what you do or make. You will take away insight, inspiration and an understanding which will help you to build effective brand communication methods into your business.
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[h3]Winning More Work – Making More Effective Presentations[/h3]
Dates: 10 June and 11 June (times tbc)
This 2 day workshop you will explore what makes a presentation effective, and look at what kinds of situations you may be required to create and deliver presentations. As well as techniques, the actual practicalities, resources and available equipment needed will be covered. Finally you will have chance to try out a presentation and get constructive feedback.
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[h3]How to get the press interest you want[/h3]
Date: Monday 17 June 2 – 5pm
You are probably already aware that getting good, quality media coverage is a both a cost effective and powerful way to grow your creative business. At this workshop you’ll learn how to generate positive press coverage and learn what makes a good story, and what journalists are looking for. Also the practicalities of how to build up your media distribution list and find journalists.
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[h3]How to build a better website[/h3]
Date: Thursday 20 June 2 – 5pm
Do you use your existing website to properly promote your creative business or product. Here you will learn to create a more effective online presence. However you will need an existing website that you are looking to improve or expand.
Follow-up sessions booked with individuals at an appropriate stage, usually one month after initial session
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[h3]Engaging Your Customers: Social Networking for Business[/h3]
Dates: Wednesday 26 June 2 – 4.30pm
An introduction to the myriad of social media platforms, networks and tools available for creative businesses to use to help engage with their audience. Learn to understand them, use them, and more importantly how to evaluate their impact on developing your creative business.
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[h3]Intellectual Property Seminar[/h3]
Date: Thursday 5 September
The intellectual property of a creative business is usually at the very core of its value and assets. In this half day workshop you will learn how to recognise the value of your Intellectual Property and how to protect it. You will also look at opportunities of how to exploit your IP to maximise its value.
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[h3]How to book a workshop and join Factory[/h3]
If you would like to attend any of the below workshops or sign up to the Factory programme please email factory@stoke.gov.uk or call (01782) 231586
To join and access the free support you need to be a small or medium sized creative business bases in North Staffordshire or Stoke-on-Trent
Factory is free for creative business to take part and Factory is part funded by the European Regional Development Fund ERDF and will run until June 2015.
