Workshops are 30 minute practical sessions in well equipped theatres, designed for specialist media businesses. 

Numbers are limited to 40 (60 in the Planetarium) so you have the opportunity to question the speakers.

Workshops provide an opportunity to learn new publishing skills and hear relevant case studies.

Register free to attend the exhibition now and receive details on how to reserve your workshop seat so you don't have to queue on the day. 

Workshop booking is now live:  if you have already registered for the event click here and use the code you received in your confirmation email to access your personalised booking page.

Don't delay: last year some sessions were standing room only!

Workshops confirmed for 2012:

• The value of email marketing automation from Adestra
• Secrets of subscription websites from Subhub
• Top tips on growing magazine app sales from Magazine Cloner
• How to structure your content for paid online subs from StrategyEye
• Driving revenues from online video from VideoBuilder
• Multi-channel publishing made easy from Audience Media
• How to use video to enhance live events and conferences: IS Media
• Internationalise and optimise your website in minutes: Webpuzzle
• Navigating the digital ocean: a strategic map for publishers: Bluetel Solutions
• Masterclass in data journalism and infographics: Birmingham City University
• How apps can boost your business:  Propeller Mobile

New for 2012 are workshops in the futuristic environment of the Planetarium: including

• The next generation of magazine apps from PageSuite
  
• Creative tablet magazines from Magplus
• Replicate vs Redesign from abannan
• Develop virtual, online & hybrid events from Virtual Ivent

See a virtual tour of the Planetarium (apologies not available on iOS)

Browse the 2011 workshop gallery

Join the Specialist Media Network for free access to past years' workshop presentations

Register free now and reserve your workshop place online to avoid the queues.

Workshop schedule: Green Theatre

10.00   How to structure your content for paid online subs (StrategyEye)

Organising your content around your audience's needs adds value and justifies a higher subscription price.  This interactive workshop takes you through a process to structure your content in small groups: you'll come away with a personalised plan for your market.

11.30  The value of email marketing automation (Adestra)

Email automation could be as simple as an automated confirmation of purchase email, or more complex such as automated customer lifecycle programmes including welcome series and renewal cycles. Introducing automated campaigns and automated content can really help publishers to deliver relevant content to their data, to drive engagement, increase ROI, and reduce time spent on email marketing. This workshop will clear up what automation really means to publishers, with case studies and an opportunity to speak to your peers on how email automation has helped them and what challenges they face.

12.30  Top tips on growing magazine app sales (Magazine Cloner)

Magazine Cloner have developed over 600 apps for publishers and learnt what works in niche markets.  In this workshop they share promotional tips on selling more through the Apple Newsstand, and tapping into Android and online for international reach for your titles. 
 

1.30 Multi-channel publishing made easy (Audience Media)

This workshop shows how smaller publishers can effortlessly, seamlessly and cost effectively publish to multiple channels from a single platform, with case studies and tips on how to increase points of audience contact, diversify audience engagement, reduce internal production cost and monetise an engaged audience.

2.30 Driving revenues from online video (Video Builder)

In this workshop, you'll learn practical and simple ways of using the web's free video resources to fill your magazine sites with video that’s original, engaging and relevant to your magazine's topics from all over the web.  You'll also lean how it can be monetized…and you won't have to spend a penny on video production!

3.30 Secrets of subscription websites (Subhub)

How can publishers grow their revenues from online content?  What makes for a successful subscription website?  Miles Galliford, founder of Subhub, shares secrets from experiences of over 10,000 online publishers to provide practical tips on generating multiple sources of revenue, whether you are a print publisher moving online or a digital-only startup.

Workshop schedule: Red Theatre

10.00 Masterclass in Data Journalism (Birmingham City University)

Data is the new buzz word. As public bodies bow under increasing pressure to be transparent and open, so companies are coming under the same pressures. The new breed of savvy consumer is not content with the story that YOU give them. They want the background, they want to interrogate, play, sort, visualize and they want to share across their social networks. It is up to publishers to be more open with their research, and present it in an accessible, interesting and honest way. From simple downloads, to high-end interactive pieces, there are a host of opportunities for publishers to get involved in this data revolution.  Paul Bradshaw, Publisher of Online Journalism blog and Visiting Professor at Birmingham City University and Caroline Beavon, Data Journalist, will run this workshop together.

11.00 How apps can boost your business (Propeller)

When it comes to mobile apps, it seems there are two types of media businesses: those who already publish apps, and  those who are thinking about it. For event organisers, publishers and specialist media owners, mobile is fast becoming an essential part of business strategy.  Mobile solutions build  customer engagement, create revenue streams and capture data from your audience. In this session Propeller Group CEO, Martin Loat, will explore how mobile apps can help your business by leveraging revenue and engagement with your audience and communities.

12.00 Internationalise and optimise your website in minutes (Webpuzzle)

Experience the power of Webpuzzle live in action, at midday in the Red Theatre when you can see a niche publisher’s existing website being recreated, edited, optimised, and transformed into multiple language versions, geolocated for each country -in just 15 minutes, (leaving plenty of time for Q&As) When you register to attend the workshop, we’ll contact you to see if you’d like your website to be featured on the day.

2.00 Navigating the digital ocean: strategies for publishers: (Bluetel Solutions)

Just when you thought things were settling down (circulation is good, your advertisers love you, your economics stack up) that the market throws you a curve ball. All of a sudden your contact form is full of requests from readers who want to read you on their mobile phone or tablet, your advertisers are asking what your plans are for addressing a “growing market” and companies contact you promising the untold riches through their ready-made app platforms. In this workshop, we will use more than 10 years of experience as a publisher and working with publishers to draw a strategy map to help you successfully navigate the digital ocean. 

3.00 How to use video to enhance live events and conferences: (IS Media)

Extend the reach of your conferences and events and create new sponsorship opportunities with video capture and online streaming:  case studies and practical tips.  Plus see how it's been done at this event!  Workshop attendees can request a free trial of live capture at their own event (T&Cs apply).

Workshop schedule:  Planetarium

11.00 Publishing your Apps - best practice  (Magplus)

Ex Apple Exec Richard West will give guidance and best practice advice on how to take publications and apps into the Digital Tablet environment. What works and what doesn't. Drawing on his involvement via Mag+ with Bonnier Publishing and their titles such as Popular Science (the first commended title on the iPad in 2010), as well as other publishers such as Incisive Media (Winners of the British Media Awards, 'Best Use of Mobile' Award 2012) Richard will share his experience of how to make the most of this new and evolving marketplace. 

12.00 Replicate vs redesign  (Abannan)

Showcasing new software, Colin Bennett, MD of abannan, will initiate a discussion on Replicate vs Redesign, and the new and incremental revenue opportunities available to publishers when they keep their readers immersed and responsive to advertising.

1.00 Next Generation of magazine apps (PageSuite)

Learn about the latest developments in magazine apps, key case studies and successes with Chris Took of PageSuite in the Planetarium. This is a perfect session to drive your specialist publishing and discover how the likes of New York Daily News and OK!, through to Archant and BioIT World succeed.

2.00 Developing online, virtual and hybrid events  (Virtual Ivent)

How do you set up a virtual element for your event and choose the right technology? What is the best way to integrate virtual and physical events? How can you creaste value and measurable results?  What content will engage an online audience?  This exciting, 30 minute workshop will showcase the latest innovations in technologies, audience engagement and revenue generation.
 

What visitors said:

A huge 'Well done' to the SMS team for establishing an exciting new publishing event outside London. I found the seminars I attended very informative and also had some productive conversations with exhibitors.  Simon Blanchard, Head of Online Marketing, Bauer Media

The Specialist Media Show was a well organised event with a wide range of exhibitors which provided me with valuable information and new business contacts and relationships. I found the range of seminars throughout the day to be extremely useful and beneficial. I look forward to visiting the next show. Mark Kenton. Group Circulation & Marketing Manager, Hubert Burda Media.

The show was a great learning curve for my online magazine and the seminars were well-organised and interesting.  I will certainly be busy putting all the tips and advice into action! Paul Gibson, thechauffeur.com

2011 Workshops

Stream Exchange on How to generate revenue from video, Low cost production options and Online marketing tips

Circdata : Subscriptions and database marketing tips for small publishers; case studies and ideas

Pagesuite on apps for specialist publishers

Greenwoods on Keeping it legal: data, competitions and intellectual property

Netcopy on how niche publishers have used their archive content to grow web traffic, ad revenue and subscriptions

eDigitalResearch on getting more value from online surveys

The University of Leicester Generating Profit and Innovation from University Partnerships

Jim Bilton : topical tips for circulation as part of his Circulation Briefing Live workshop 

Penmaen Media on new publishing business models.  Carolyn Morgan will share ideas and inspiration for niche publishers from the Media Pioneers.

Silvertoad on integrating print and digital publishing.

The Vital Consultancy on how investing in good training can make you money