Media Talent Bank Blog
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This blog post originally appeared on my personal blog a few weeks ago, but seems relevant to Media Talent Bank, so here's a repost:
Like many, I'm often sent a lot of links to websites. Sometimes people want me to promote or link to them, and sometimes I have to proof or 'sex up' the copy as part of my job.
But the problem I constantly find with a lot of online content is that - particularly that promoting council or funded projects - it tends to be a bit, well, crap.
I despair when trying to flick through half a dozen pages to try and work out what, why and how a project deserves attention. In many cases you can't because copy is often written for funders, not the audience. The copy may tick all the funding boxes of 'bigging up' those who put the money in and managed the project, whilst providing a light sprinkling of buzzwords in the opening paragraph. But does it explain succinctly to the target users what the project is, why they should care, or how they can get involved? More often than not, no.
In short, too much online copy is simply print copy with a hangover; a pointless bag of meaningless marketing jargon slapping users round the face.
The simple point for content developers and online copywriters is; stop and think why you want people to read this. Justify to yourself why each word needs to be there, because for users the Internet is a big place; it's all too easy to skim or navigate away from content if it's just hot air.
Without trying to come across as a condescending pillock, think:
- Who is the audience?
- Why should a user read it?
- Will the user be enlightened, provoked into participating, or be provided with a clear route into an action?
Write for the audience; if it's European funding-based and needs to appeal to young trendy types, content has to speak their language, not that of corporate business-speak or jargon/acronym-heavy bureaucratic jargon.
Ultimately, jargon and technobabble forms walls. Yes, they're comforting to those who reside behind them, but they form a vast barrier to those outside it, often obscuring the good work that may be going on inside.
And on that vaguely meandering point, I think I'll tail off for no good reason.
- BBC Future Media event at Birmingham City University today at 12.00, RSVP here.
- Public consultation of EU programme for support of the European audiovisual sector after 2013, if you have an issue make it known now.
- Student Open Days aplenty at Blitz Games' Studios
- Game Central's next Meet 'em Up: Save the Videogame! 24th November 6:30pm
- Producers Forum are running a Scheduling and Budgeting Course for Filmmakers
- Animation, design, film, radio, music & photography pros needed to assess portfolios, £120/day
- Up to 80% off the usual price of 3D stereoscopic training at NTI Birmingham if you apply for a Skillset bursary
- Borderlines Festival Need Admin Assistant
- The Hereford Media Network are hosting a media networking evening on 22nd November 2010 at The Courtyard, Hereford. Send an email to info@herefordshiremedianetwork.co.uk or call 01432 383064 for more information and to register – or just turn up on the night!
- Build your own private Wikipedia
- Business networking masterclass by @james_rock, South Birmingham, 18th November
- This is useful for anyone considering setting up a Facebook group or page for an online community
- Useful tips on how to get PR into print media
NTI Birmingham (that's where I work that is) is running a 5 day training course/contest to win £800 of training, equipment or business mentoring of your choice between 1st and 5th November 2010. Here's the details:
Take part in Birmingham City University's Marketing Challenge, and you'll receive training and mentoring from marketing expert Justin Eames of viral marketing agency Fish in a Bottle, as you pit your wits against other like-minded individuals to win the support of your choice.
The Marketing Challenge is a week-long, intensive programme running from 1-5th November 2010, for final year students or recent graduates/post-graduates living in Birmingham, which will see you working in teams to develop a marketing product and campaign strategy in answer to a live brief you will be set on Day 1. The week will culminate in you and your team pitching your product and strategy to the industry panel, to battle it out to be the winning campaign, and the most outstanding individual.
The Marketing Challenge is for budding marketers / business entrepreneurs looking to develop their enterprise skills, and those who relish the opportunity to be mentored by professionals and gain valuable industry feedback on their work.
The free scheme runs from Monday 1st to Friday 5th November 2010 (9:00am – 4:30pm each day) at NTI Birmingham (15 Bartholomew Row, Birmingham,
B5 5JU).
To book a place,
please contact: rebecca.tullener@bcu.ac.uk stating your full name, residential address including postcode, your year of graduation and full course title.
Last night saw the first time Media Talent Bank stretched it’s feet onto offline land and gave another much needed platform to it’s members. The exhibitors included, photographers, jewellery designers, film producers, graphic and print designers, radio specialists, independent companies and animation.
The evening had a constant flow of visitors, where they had the opportunity to browse the exhibitors work, sit outside for a casual drink and network or enjoy a few short films. The range of visitors was really interesting from independent companies, freelancers looking for collaboration, creatives and even recruitment companies with many of the members themselves getting a great deal out of the experience.
The event also proved to be a huge success for the photographers including Richard Battye who also commented on the evening,
“Great venue, well planned. Met some good people both exhibitors and visitors. Made some good contacts and have a couple of jobs to quote on from meeting people there and have made a sale.”
So, first one down and hopefully more to come in the future, keep an eye out here for more information on Media Talent Bank and what we are up to and follow us on Twitter.
The Mediacove Productions team is powered by the three C’s: creativity, coffee and cake; ideally, all three at once. Based in Wolverhampton, the company launched in 2006 and have since developed a strong reputation for commercial video production and youth media projects.
Their style is young, fresh and just a little bit different to anything else out there.
From factory floors to treading the red carpet at glitzy awards evenings, this is the range of locations the team have found themselves filming in.
In 2010, Mediacove and a group of young people from Wolverhampton received the ‘Best Mediabox Innovation Award’ at the First Light Movies Awards.
MediaCove are soon to embark on two large scale youth media projects funded by Mediabox, although they can’t say too much just yet so watch this space.
At the Media Talent Bank event, they will be showcasing some of their recent work including their youth media show reel, a documentary about living with Autism and a guide to equality and diversity for teenagers.
Pop over and say ‘hi’ on Monday – they’ll have sweets!
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