Category: Free Workshops

Free workshop for members
CVs/Résumés/Career Summaries - How to make an impact in writing

 The date and time: June 28, 10.30am to 4.30pm

The venue
Bristol Old Vic
King Street
Bristol
BS1 4ED

The ability to produce a CV/Career Summary/Résumé in a way that makes you stand out from the crowd is a must. It should be clear, straightforward and deliver an immediate and accessible snapshot of why people should hire you. This workshop will help you make a high impact in writing.

Apply online by June 19

Workshop Content

This workshop aims to give you the tools to assess each opportunity and how best to construct and tailor your CV to get yourself noticed. It includes:

• Initial review of each other’s CVs/career summaries
• Analysing the function and purpose of these key documents: what you want your CV/career summary to do for you?
• How that knowledge can help to produce a new document, tailored to specific clients and markets
• Specific fundamentals of effective CV/career summary writing
• Assessment/review of ‘mock’ CVs / career summaries
• Identifying key achievements and vital experiences that should be highlighted in your CV/career summary
• Re-designing your CV /career summary foundation document
• Next steps to re-working your CV/career summary.

The workshop includes a number of practical exercises in which you will get the chance to work individually and in pairs. You will need to bring a hard copy of you CV/Résumé/Career Summary.

Who should attend?

This course is relevant to anyone who wants to improve the way they present themselves in writing with the aim of getting a specific interview or audition.

Learning outcomes

By the end of the workshop, participants will:

• Have a clear idea of what an effective CV/career summary looks like
• Have made the first steps to update their own
• Have a greater understanding of how to create individual selling documents with maximum impact
• Know how to produce a selling document that will support them in trying to secure interviews and/or to open up other work opportunities.

Apply online by June 19

To apply for a place on this free, one-day workshop, fill in the short application form by June 19. You will need to register if you have not done so already.

All workshops have been over-subscribed to date so successful applicants will be chosen randomly after the cut-off date. We will let you know if your application has been successful by June 21.

Tutors: Sue Walker and Muriel McClymont

Further enquiries
e: [email protected]
t: 07710 240585

Free workshop for members
Getting real to achieve your dreams!

The date and time: June 21, 2.00pm to 4.30pm

The venue:

Musicians’ Union
60-62 Clapham Road
SW9 0JJ
T: 020 7840 5506

How do you manage your goals to make sure you achieve the ones you really care about? How do you stay in touch with why they matter? And how do you know how effective the action you are taking is in helping to fulfil them?

We all have various goals and ambitions. Some will be firmly placed on our horizon, and every step we take moves us closer to it. Others, we may even joke are, “Pie in the sky!”

In this short session we will help you connect your motivation to your goals and give you some ideas on how to tackle some of the blocks that may be preventing you moving towards them!

Apply Online

Workshop content

This workshop includes:

• what makes a goal realistic
• what are the key ingredients for a good plan
• how to get motivated to achieve our goals
• strategies to identify where you need to take action.

Who should attend

Those who need a boost in motivation and want to pick up strategies and ideas on how to clarify and achieve their goals.

Learning outcomes

By the end of the workshop, you will:

• be clearer about what makes a good plan of action
• be clearer about what motivates you
• have more information about what may be holding you back
• have some useful tools to apply to your goals in the future

Apply Online by June 12, 2013

To apply for a place on this free, one-day workshop, fill in the short application form by June 12. You will need to register if you have not done so already.

All workshops have been over-subscribed to date so successful applicants will be chosen randomly after the cut-off date. We will let you know if your application has been successful by June 14.

Tutor: Muriel McClymont

Further enquiries
e: [email protected]
t: 07710 240585

How best to present yourself to get new work
Free workshop for creative freelance members

The date and time: June 7, 2013 10.30am to 4:30pm

The venue:

Musicians’ Union
60-62 Clapham Road
SW9 0JJ

Tutors: Sue Walker and Muriel McClymont

Effective interview and presentation skills - whether at a formal interview or a chance meeting where there might be work at the end of it – are essential. Some find the thought of self-presentation terrifying! Others find it easier. Whatever you feel, you can always do better.

Apply Online by May 28, 2013

Workshop Content

This one-day workshop is designed to give practical advice and support to help you improve how you demonstrate your many skills and abilities to a potential employer, through both what you say and how you say it. It covers:

• How to prepare effectively
• How to get your message across
• How to respond to difficult questions or challenging scenarios
• How to match your skills to the opportunity
• How to positively use your voice and body language
• How to confidently present yourself and your experience

We offer lots of practice, advice and mock interviews/meetings (you define the situation that will be most helpful to you). You will receive constructive feedback, and get the chance to test-drive new responses to your dreaded questions or scenarios.

Who should attend?

Anyone who needs to present themselves effectively with the aim of making the most of every face-to-face opportunity to get more work.

Learning outcomes

By the end of the workshop, you will:

• have gained a clearer understanding of how you come across in person and how to improve this
• have practiced and received constructive feedback on the effectiveness of your interview or presentation technique
• understand what you need to do to maximise the impact you make
• know how to prepare for an interview so that you feel informed, confident and as relaxed as possible
• be better prepared for challenging questions or scenarios – and know how you can use them to your advantage
• have an action plan for your next steps.

How to Apply

To apply for a place on this free, one-day workshop, fill in the short application form by May 28. You will need to register if you have not done so already.

All workshops have been over-subscribed to date so successful applicants will be chosen randomly after the cut-off date. We will let you know if your application has been successful.

Further enquiries
E: [email protected]
T: 07975 913123

Free workshop for members
How to leave a good impression in the digital world

The date and time: June 6 2013 10.30am to 4.30pm

The venue:

Musicians’ Union
60-62 Clapham Road
SW9 0JJ

Whether through digital media or face-to-face, networking is important to raise your profile and market your work successfully.

Tutor: David Thomas

Apply Online

Workshop Content

This workshop falls into two parts:

1. Why networking works and why effective digital networking is so 
important.
2. How we fit networking into our daily work schedule.

Areas covered in the workshop include:

• Networking refresher - what it is and why it works
• Identifying what you’re selling and how it helps others
• Your key messages
• Understanding your digital footprint
• Social media for work - polishing your online profile
• LinkedIn - including groups and recommendations
• Google + circles
• Tools for managing multiple social networks (without wasting time)
• Your next steps
• Participants will devise a personal action plan with practical measures to improve their online and face-to-face networking.

Who should attend?

Freelances who wish to find better ways to network both digitally and face-to-face. No technical knowledge will be assumed. The aim is to help freelances understand how networking works and hone their message. It does not require participants to be online during the training.

Learning outcomes

By the end of the workshop, participants will be able to:

• Understand how face-to-face and digital networking interact
• Draw up a plan for engaging with others face to face and on a range of social networks
• Understand how to use time-saving tools to maintain digital engagement
• Know where to get advice and help on the above.

Apply Online by May 27, 2013

To apply for a place on this free, one-day workshop, fill in the short application form by May 27. You will need to register if you have not done so already.

All workshops have been over-subscribed to date so successful applicants will be chosen randomly after the cut-off date. We will let you know if your application has been successful by June 2.

Further enquiries
E: [email protected]
T: 07975 913123

May 23 London and May 30 Birmingham

Dates, times and locations

London
May 23
10.30am-4.30pm
Musicians’ Union
60-62 Clapham Road
SW9 0JJ

APPLY ONLINE

Content

Negotiation is an essential skill for a freelance to master. Whether you are negotiating day rates or defined packages of work, it’s important to learn to represent yourself clearly and effectively with the aim of agreeing terms that you and your client are happy with.

This workshop will give you tools and tips for planning, preparing and conducting negotiations in a business like way. It will offer you insights into styles and processes that can help improve your effectiveness for future negotiations.

This workshop covers:

• the importance of principled negotiation
• how to prepare effectively
• how to gather the information you need to negotiate effectively
• how to find common ground
• how to focus on negotiation as a business transaction
• the importance of defining limits.

This workshop includes practical exercises to provide participants with the opportunity to try out what you learn in a safe environment.

Who should attend?

Anyone who needs to negotiate with clients, especially if they have found themselves in the past, agreeing to things they later regretted.

Qualifications required

No specific qualifications are required.

Expected Learning Outcomes

By the end of the workshop you will:

• have gained a deeper understanding of the negotiation process
• be aware of the importance of planning effectively
• know how important it is to explore all the potential variables
• be aware of the relational aspects of negotiation
• see the benefits of joint problem solving as a negotiation style
• understand the importance of strategic thinking in negotiations.

APPLY ONLINE

LONDON – APPLY BY MAY 14
To apply for a place on this free, one-day workshop, fill in the short application form by May 14. You will need to register if you have not done so already. All workshops have been over-subscribed to date so successful applicants will be chosen randomly after the cut-off date of May 14. We will let you know if your application has been successful by May 16.

BIRMINGHAM - APPLY BY MAY 21
To apply for a place on this free, one-day workshop, fill in the short application form by May 21. You will need to register if you have not done so already. All workshops have been over-subscribed to date so successful applicants will be chosen randomly after the cut-off date of May 21. We will let you know if your application has been successful by May 23.

How best to present yourself to get new work
Free workshop for creative freelance members

The date and time: May 17, 2013 10.30am to 4:30pm

The venue:

Dance City
Temple Street
Newcastle Upon Tyne
NE1 4BR

Tutors: Sue Walker and Muriel McClymont

Effective interview and presentation skills - whether at a formal interview or a chance meeting where there might be work at the end of it – are essential. Some find the thought of self-presentation terrifying! Others find it easier. Whatever you feel, you can always do better.

Apply Online by May 9, 2013

Workshop Content

This one-day workshop is designed to give practical advice and support to help you improve how you demonstrate your many skills and abilities to a potential employer, through both what you say and how you say it. It covers:

• How to prepare effectively
• How to get your message across
• How to respond to difficult questions or challenging scenarios
• How to match your skills to the opportunity
• How to positively use your voice and body language
• How to confidently present yourself and your experience

We offer lots of practice, advice and mock interviews/meetings (you define the situation that will be most helpful to you). You will receive constructive feedback, and get the chance to test-drive new responses to your dreaded questions or scenarios.

Who should attend?

Anyone who needs to present themselves effectively with the aim of making the most of every face-to-face opportunity to get more work.

Learning outcomes

By the end of the workshop, you will:

• have gained a clearer understanding of how you come across in person and how to improve this
• have practiced and received constructive feedback on the effectiveness of your interview or presentation technique
• understand what you need to do to maximise the impact you make
• know how to prepare for an interview so that you feel informed, confident and as relaxed as possible
• be better prepared for challenging questions or scenarios – and know how you can use them to your advantage
• have an action plan for your next steps.

How to Apply

To apply for a place on this free, one-day workshop, fill in the short application form by May 9. You will need to register if you have not done so already.

All workshops have been over-subscribed to date so successful applicants will be chosen randomly after the cut-off date. We will let you know if your application has been successful.

Further enquiries
E: [email protected]
T: 07990 504 612

Key sales techniques for creative freelances

Date and Time: March 19 2013, 11.30am to 5.30pm

Venue:
Brewery Theatre (very close to the Tobacco Factory)
291 North Street
Southville
Bristol
BS3 1JP

Tutor: Koullis Kyriacou

Apply Online by Mar 12 2013

Content

While many creative people are unsurprisingly inexperienced and often uncomfortable with ‘selling’ most realise that in such competitive industries, it’s an important area to understand and be pro-active in to help create as many opportunities as possible.

Whatever your aim – perhaps you’re trying to get your foot in the door with an agent, sell a novel, song, script, article or idea, this workshop will help you to:

• Define your USP (unique selling proposition)
• Identify your strengths and weaknesses
• Understand the environment you are working in
• Appreciate the difference between selling yourself and your product/service
• Look at the needs of the client
• Identify your own natural style of selling
• Prepare and practice the delivery of a pitch
• Be prepared to pitch at any time.

Who should attend?

Freelances working in the creative industries who wish to improve their sales pitch with the aim of obtaining new work.

Qualifications

No formal qualifications needed.

Expected Learning Outcomes

This workshop will help you to:

• Clarify what it is you have to sell
• Identify your natural style of selling
• Gain the necessary tools to prepare and deliver a sales pitch appropriate to the prospective client.

How to Apply

To attend this session, fill in the short application form by Mar 12. You will need to register if you have not done so already.

All events have been over-subscribed to date so successful applicants will be chosen randomly after the cut-off date. We will let you know if your application has been successful within a couple of days after the deadline.

WHO’S AN FEU TRAINING MEMBER?

Equity, the Musicians’ Union, the National Union of Journalists and the Writers’ Guild are working together in this instance under the banner of ‘The Federation of Entertainment Unions’. This enables us to maximize resources to deliver skills development opportunities common to our multi-union members.

Our aim is to help the career progress of our freelance members through the recession and beyond by providing a range of free and low cost blended-learning opportunities.

Further enquiries:

Email: [email protected]
Tel: 07990 504 612

Feeling creatively ‘blocked’? Not getting enough done? Stuck in an unproductive rut? Starting to put things off?

Maybe it’s time to stop procrastination and start doing. This session will help you do just that - help you re-focus and get your mojo back!

Dates, times and location

Apply Online by March 5

Content

• Analysing your needs
• Knowing yourself – looking at how you did your best work in the past and what motivates you now
• Re-focusing and get started again
• Prioritising without becoming overwhelmed by tasks
• Unblocking creativity
• Learning to enjoy what you do again
• Working discipline: what is working; what is not and changing it to fit.

Who should attend?

Anyone who feels stuck and is finding that procrastination is holding them back.

Qualifications required

No specific qualifications are required.

Expected Learning Outcomes

An understanding of how to stop procrastinating and move forward in a way that’s most productive and satisfying for you.

Qualifications

No formal qualifications are needed to attend this workshop.

Tutor:  Sue Walker

How to Apply

To attend this session, fill in the short application form Mar 5. You will need to register if you have not done so already.

All events have been over-subscribed to date so successful applicants will be chosen randomly after the cut-off date. We will let you know if your application has been successful within a couple of days after the deadline.

Further enquiries:

Email: [email protected]
Tel: 07990 504 612

This workshop will help you explore how to use all the great skills and talents you have to diversify your career (often to support your core work), increase your choices, efficiency and your earning potential. The workshop is free of charge to our members.

Dates, times and locations

Apply Online by Feb 1 (London) and Feb 10 (Manchester)

Content

While we have a preferred field of work, most freelances quickly realise that there are unavoidable downtimes where the work we want to do is thin on the ground.

This is why it’s useful and sometimes crucial to be able to transfer our skills (and perhaps gain news ones) to create other areas of work that are satisfying and lucrative and may allow us to support our core career in the long term.

By the end of this workshop, you should be able to:

• Recognize the benefits of diversifying your career
• Understand what is involved in running a successful portfolio career
• Assess and identify your previously unrecognized, ignored or under-valued saleable skills
• Have the tools to put your portfolio career together
• Understand how best to take your portfolio to market
• How to manage your portfolio to maximum effect
• Know how to keep it going in the future.

Who should attend

Freelances working in the creative industries who wish to find new ways of using and updating their skills to create more work opportunities.

Qualifications

No formal qualifications are needed to attend this workshop.

Tutors: Muriel McClymont and Sue Walker

How to Apply

To attend this session, fill in the short application form Feb 1 (London) and Feb 10 (Manchester). You will need to register if you have not done so already.

All events have been over-subscribed to date so successful applicants will be chosen randomly after the cut-off date. We will let you know if your application has been successful within a couple of days after the deadline.

Further enquiries:

Email: [email protected]
Tel: 07990 504 612

Rejection is inevitable – feeling bad about it is not!

Even though it’s par for the course, one of the hardest things to handle for any creative freelance is rejection. No matter how hard you try to convince yourself that it’s not personal, it can feel personal.

This session will give you useful strategies and tips to help you transform the experience of rejection into something that helps and supports your career instead of being one of its greatest hazards! It will give you the opportunity to network with like-minded creative freelances and share each other’s experiences too.

Date and Time:  January 31 2013, 2.00pm to 4.30pm

Venue:
Musicians’ Union
60-62 Clapham Road
SW9 0JJ

Tutor: Muriel McClymont

Apply Online by Jan 23 2013

Session content

This workshop includes:

• what makes rejection feel so tough
• how to handle rejection better
• how to identify and extract all of the benefits of rejection
• strategies to shift the focus back to the future
• strategies to develop a thicker skin
• ideas for being nicer to ourselves.

Who should attend

Those freelances who want to pick up strategies and tips in how to deal with rejection.

Learning outcomes

By the end of the session, you will:

• understand the part you play in your response to rejection
• be aware of what your choices are
• see rejection as an opportunity for useful feedback
• have some strategies and ideas to help you deal with the emotional impact of rejection
• discover that you are not alone!

How to Apply

To attend this session, fill in the short application form by Jan 23. You will need to register if you have not done so already.

All events have been over-subscribed to date so successful applicants will be chosen randomly after the cut-off date. We will let you know if your application has been successful within a couple of days after the deadline.

WHO’S AN FEU TRAINING MEMBER?

Equity, the Musicians’ Union, the National Union of Journalists and the Writers’ Guild are working together in this instance under the banner of ‘The Federation of Entertainment Unions’. This enables us to maximize resources to deliver skills development opportunities common to our multi-union members.

Our aim is to help the career progress of our freelance members through the recession and beyond by providing a range of free and low cost blended-learning opportunities.

Further enquiries:

Email: [email protected]
Tel: 07990 504 612