Meet the experts and log on to a whole new world

TWITTER and Facebook, Youtube and blogging, could be useful tools for farmers and other rural business people, according to the organisers of a Social Media Surgery at the Great Yorkshire Show.

Five experts in use of the internet for publicity and information hunting will be available for consultation in the Country Land and Business Association marquee (Stand 193) on the first day of the show, Tuesday July 12. The CLA and NYNet, an agency set up to promote broadband expansion in North Yorkshire, are sponsoring the surgery.

The organiser is John Popham, of Huddersfield, a ‘social media consultant’ who scored a world first at Easter with ‘Twicket’ – a live broadcast of a Lancashire village cricket match. He saw the opportunity to demonstrate what might be done when Chris Conder, a Lancashire farmer’s wife who is active on Twitter as Cyberdoyle, mentioned that she was testing a superfast internet connection – 30 megs per second each way – set up by Lancaster University for experimental purposes. See http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Twicket/

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Mr Popham will be one of the five advisers at the Harrogate showground.

He said this week: “Social Media Surgeries are informal, free advice sessions where people who need help with using web services such as Twitter, Facebook, Youtube, and blogging sites, can get one-to-one advice from someone who is experienced in using them. They are particularly aimed at voluntary and community groups, small arts organisations, and small businesses.

“They are a phenomenon which has been sweeping the country as more people who run voluntary organisations and businesses recognise that they need to embrace social media to reach out to members, supporters and customers.

“They are friendly and informal and no-one is going to be blinded with technical knowledge or geek-speak.

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“So far, most surgeries have been held in urban areas, after the first one was started by Nick Booth of podnosh.com in Birmingham in 2008. Most of Yorkshire’s major towns and cities now have a regular Social Media Surgery but up until now, they have been a rarity in rural areas.”

The advisers will be available 10am to 6pm. Pre-booking is not essential but would be helpful. See http://socialmediasurgery.com/events/191/

John Popham is on 07802 781673 and [email protected]/