It’s time for Sheffield Content Club
I’d like to start a new meetup for people in Sheffield who make and work with content. It’s something I’ve had in mind for years. Over the last 15 months, through my work for Sheffield Digital, I’ve watched the city’s meetup scene thrive and grow. But there are no meetups about content.
And so I think it’s time that changed. I know that Sheffield is full of great content writers, designers and strategists. They are in agencies, businesses, government departments and both universities. We also have a whole host of freelancers – like me – who create and manage content for all of the above.
Sheffield certainly has the content talent. But as far as I know, there is no regular place for us to come together, meet new people, share our brilliant ideas and develop some sort of secret handshake.
Introducing Sheffield Content Club
So I am going to do something about it.
I’m starting a new meetup called Sheffield Content Club. It already has its own Twitter account, which I would encourage you to follow. But more importantly, I’ve put together a landing page and sign-up form. If you’d like to see Sheffield Content Club become a real-life thing, please subscribe to the mailing list and let me know.
For now, it’s a way for me to gauge interest in the meetup and let you know when the first event will be. But in the future, I would like to send out interesting content-related news, info and opportunities.
As I write this post, there are already 30+ people signed up. That’s very encouraging. But my own network only goes so far and I’d really like to see people sharing the link around.
The best meetups are those that build and turn into a thriving community. The more we can all get the word out, the more likely we are to pack a room and get Sheffield Content Club off to a flyer.
But wait! Who is this meetup for?
I thought you might ask that. Content is such a vague term. When I started out, working in content almost always meant being a copywriter. It was mostly about words. But as you know, that’s not been the case for ages.
We have content strategists, content designers and content producers. Some people use words. Some people use images. Some use audio and video. And then there are those who help make sure content is right for its audience and enters the world on time and to budget.
All of these people work in content. And many do all of those things.
I think a Sheffield Content Club should be a broad church. And so at this point, all I say is this: if you feel like you make or work in content, you are more than welcome.
What will it be like?
The truth is, I don’t know yet and I am very open to ideas (see below). I do think we will have speakers. I reckon a little show and tell is always nice. And of course, there will be plenty of time for drinks, nibbles and tip-top chit-chat.
Basically, if people can leave having learned something and had a good time, then we will be on to a winner. I’ve run events before and have a good idea of what works. At the moment though, my focus is on testing the water to see if people are interested.
Things that you can do
We’re just getting started and I’m happy to lead the way, but I don’t expect to do all this alone. I would specifically like to hear from you with suggestions for venues, sponsors and speakers. As it will be a content meetup, I’d also like to document events and make them publicly available, either through video or audio (ideally both). Ideas around that would be welcome too.
Please send all of your thoughts and secret information to me via the email address carefully positioned at the end of this list of actions:
And I think that’s it for now. Thank you to those of you who have shown an interest already and, fingers crossed, I’ll have more to share with you soon.
