The next three days see three events in Birmingham with a social media angle to them. I plan to go to all of them.
First up on Wednesday evening is the third Social Media Surgery for Voluntary Groups organised by Nick Booth where folks who know something about this blogging lark are encouraged to give their knowledge to those who help others. Usually this is very simple stuff such as showing them how to set up a blog on WordPress, upload a video to YouTube or track a subject using Google News so the chances are if you’re reading this you could come and take part, even if it’s just to explain how you use this stuff. And if you’re from a voluntary group in Birmingham please come along. We’re ready to help you.
It takes place at the BSVC 138 Digbeth, B5 6DR, (next to Digbeth Cold Storage and Readers World – map) from 5.30 to 7pm and afterwards we’ll no doubt go for a pint. Please sign up here so we can anticipate numbers.
Then on Thursday Nikki Pugh and Charlie Pinder are organising BARG, “a gathering of folks who’d like to discuss social games and playful things with an aim to either designing their own or just getting involved in playing some interesting stuff.” This takes place in the back room of the Lamp Tavern (map) from 7pm. I’ve been watching Nikki with interest since she ran the Emergent Game last summer as she’s one of the few in the region really investigating the space between art and social media tools. Just hearing her talk about this stuff sends my thoughts into overdrive and she’s looking to mix it up with more brains. I suspect some very interesting projects will emerge from this.
Finally Friday morning sees the monthly Social Media Cafe, a gathering of folks in the region who work in this area. I really like these as it gives me a sense that we’re all part of an industry and complement the BrumBloggers meets, which are great but have a more social agenda. This is about the business of what we do and the place to bring your projects and big ideas. It’s at Coffee Lounge on Navigation Street (opposite the rear entrance of New St Station – map) from 10am. Drinks are free thanks to the sponsor (this month it’s the Opera Developers Network.
Hope to see you at one of them!