Small Media Companies Get a Boost from Masterclasses

SUCCESS can be hard work. But for small media businesses and entrepreneurs in the Northwest it just got easier, because they’re being offered a group of free workshops to learn some tricks of the trade.

Three workshops are taking place at the Manchester Conference Centre from 24th to 28th September, hosted by Northwest Vision and Media, which works on behalf of the region’s TV, film, radio and digital content industries.

Lynne McCadden, Managing Director of Vision and Media, believes these events can give small companies a much needed boost. “It’s hard for companies, and entrepreneurs, to start up and maintain momentum to become successful,” says Lynne. “Having the inside scoop on practical issues is invaluable.”

The first of these sessions, on Monday September 24th, is entitled Tax and Finances For Creatives. Media accountancy specialists, Jonathan Ford, will answer questions all companies face - should you set up a limited company? How much tax will you have to pay? And what’s the truth behind tax myths?

Following on Friday 28th September are two further crucial workshops, sharing tips on how to get ahead in networking, and how to market yourself.

The morning session, Network Your Way to Success, will be run by Television Producer, Christine Pyke, an expert in media networking and a trainer for Vision and Media (previously Media Training North West) clients.

Marketing Yourself, the third and final session, aims to give creative people the confidence to successfully translate their ideas into sellable products, and to further their business. Workshop leader Ray Hanks is a Special Adviser for Creative & Digital Industries to the North West Development Agency.

“You don’t need a vast amount of business knowledge to attend these workshops,” assures Lynne. “But we’re confident that by the end of this series, people will be much better equipped to deal with the business side of our creative industries.”

These are the latest in a series of master classes to be delivered by Vision and Media, through its Digital Futures programme.

MASTERCLASS DETAILS

Tax and Finances for Creatives

There are plenty of myths about tax but what's the truth? Is VAT always a 'bad' thing? Should you set up a limited company? How much tax are you going to have to pay, and when?

Jonathan Ford, media accountancy specialists, aims to answer these questions and many more. The day will cover:

Going Limited
Tax returns
National Insurance
Introduction to VAT, payroll taxes (PAYE) and responsibilities
Tax and financial implications of setting up a small business/going freelance

Date: Monday 24th September
Time: 10am - 4pm
Venue: Manchester Conference Centre (Board Room Level 6), Weston Building, Sackville Street, Manchester

Network Your Way to Success

Research shows that effective networking beats traditional methods of gaining new business at every level. Those with the skills and tools to be effective networkers gain the competitive edge over business rivals.

This half day workshop will enable all participants to learn the art of effective networking:

What it is
How to become a more confident networker
How to exploit and maximise existing contacts
How to exploit new contacts

This workshop doesn't require high levels of business knowledge but a willingness to take part in practical exercises would be useful.

Date: Friday 28th September
Time: 10am - 1:30pm
Venue: Manchester Conference Centre, Weston Building, Sackville Street, Manchester

Marketing Yourself

The passion felt by creative people about their work does not always translate into confidence when 'selling' what they do. This workshop addresses the issues which affect all non-sales people who are looking to promote themselves.

Workshop leader Ray Hanks is a Director of the National Business Advisers Consortium, Regional Business Adviser for Creative Industries and Special Adviser for Creative & Digital Industries to the North West Development Agency.

Date: Friday 28th September
Time: 2pm - 5pm
Venue: Manchester Conference Centre, Weston Building, Sackville Street, Manchester

APPLYING

To register your interest in any of these FREE workshops please contact Deborah Parker at Northwest Vision and Media.

T: 0161 244 4187
E: deborahp@visionandmedia.co.uk stating the title of the workshop you want in the header.