Hi I’m speaking on Tuesday 17th June to a bunch of freelance journalists:

INVITATION

Facebook, blogging and freelance journalism

The Sydney Freelance Journalists Group (MEAA) invites you to find out why social media sites like Facebook, Flickr, LinkedIn and Blogger could be vital to your future as a freelancer. Join fellow freelance journalists at a historic venue at The Rocks and stay on for free snacks and networking.

When: Tuesday 17 June 2008, arrive 6 p.m. for a 6.30 pm. start

Where: Orient Hotel, 89 George Street, The Rocks, Sydney

Topic: Facebook, blogging and freelance journalism

Speaker: Laurel Papworth, leading Australian social network strategist

Details of topic and speaker

Can freelance journalists survive in a world where citizen journalists are giving away free articles and blog posts? Should freelancers blog or engage in social media and what are the repercussions if they do or don’t? These are some of the questions social media expert Laurel Papworth will answer in a lively, in-depth session on online communities and user generated content.

Find out what social media is all about and its impact on traditional media and freelance journalism. Papworth will describe three types of social media and “how they integrate as strategies where consumers create, distribute and consume their own media”. Join a discussion on how bloggers and journalists can work together in a symbiotic relationship. Learn how to engage in social media and build a profile and portfolio online, leading to more freelance work.

Laurel Papworth is a senior consultant in social networks. She teaches social media at the University of Sydney and lectures as part of a Masters of Convergent Media at the University of Western Sydney. Papworth consults to government, business, and not for profits globally. She returned earlier this year from teaching blogging and social media to Arabic women in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.

Papworth’s background includes a project to digitize Fairfax in the early 1990’s (NewsPro) and establishing Convergent Media at Optus in the late 1990s. A dynamic and popular speaker and workshop trainer, Laurel is engaged by companies globally to maximise social networking tools and strategies to leverage media and public relations activities.

Fee: $10 for MEAA members and students

$20 for non-MEAA members

Refreshments: A cash bar will be open and there will be free snacks.

Bookings: Advance bookings are essential. Call the Media Entertainment and Arts Alliance at 1300 656 51 (EDIT: corrected from original email 1300 656 512) or email aid@alliance.org.au with subject heading ‘Sydney Freelance Journalists Group June meeting booking’ and include your name, phone number and email address. Advance bookings are essential. Please respond before 2 pm on Friday 13 June 2008.

About the group

The Sydney Freelance Journalists Group is a professional development and networking group of the Media Entertainment and Arts Alliance. The meetings are arranged by a voluntary organising committee and are open to all professional freelance journalists.

In a funny way, this educational session feels as important as my trip to Saudi Arabia to teach Arabic women how to blog. Not sure if I can explain why I feel that way…