A Blooming revolution

Everyone loves a good success story and there's plenty to be had where Bloom VC are concerned. Through Crowdfunding, Bloom utilise their knowledge, support and guidance to enable start ups, students, community projects, pretty much anything you can think of, to get their 'campaign' off the ground and secure 'promises', which are translated into cold, hard cash.

So, the perfect example is 'Bonnie Bling'. Like most people at the event as soon as I saw Mhairi's acrylic jewellery I recognised it. As like, Michelle Rodger, one half of the Bloom VC founders, her enthusiasm and praise for Crowdfunding and her experiences with Bloom are infectious. Mhairi outlined how she began her campaign. Paramount to this was her presence on social media platforms and how she engaged with potential funders.

After setting her funding target, which has to be reached within a pre-set amount of time or all funds, or 'promises', acquired cannot be claimed at the end of the campaign, Mhairi embarked on a crazy journery of 'will she, won't she' madness.

From 'promises' of £5 to £2,000, her 60 day campaign resulted in Bonnie Bling being able to purchase the laser cutting machine needed to begin production. I don't think Mhairi herself even expected the success that followed such as distribution deals and fashion awards.

The enthusiasm and genuine passion speaker Michelle Rodgers, of Bloom VC, expressed throughout the event left us all looking for a project to bring to Bloom! In the room was an architect looking for funding for an exhibition space, a pair of students looking to save a much loved Glasgow pub and an advocate of animation hoping to begin workshops in such. This mix emphasised that Bloom were equally involved with causes and social enterprises as start up businesses.

I didn't leave the event inspired only by the people and success stories I'd heard. I genuinely thought the trust and freedom that Bloom exhibit by handing complete control over to these 'campaigners' and what they aim to achieve was inspiring in itself.

D.

Branded Content

When registration opened for Social Media Week Glasgow, Innerear Uk's 'Social Advertising Innovation' event was the first I signed up for.

Panelists Dougal Perman and Anny Deery of Innerear Uk were joined by Peter Sigrist of 33 Digital, via the wonders of technology. The discussion revolved around the changing landscape of advertising and marketing and the nature of social campaigns and their levels of engagement. This evolving marketplace of user-generated content illustrated how this social media content can develop and strengthen brand image and identity.

Dougal highlighted that this was a 'transition phase', a rush of experimentation with the effective use of social means and how individuals and communities interact with various brands, and further this engagement via active sharing. However, this freedom and phase of excitement is underlined with the red tape and restrictions that need to hover in the background, as for every genuine 'fan' will be an abuser of this freedom. Examples of this included Skittles' infamous site, completely user-generated content that was victim to vulgar, offensive postings via the skittles hashtag.

Despite this, Peter believed that the overall success of this campaign meant that the risk was worth taking to create an original stream of user content. It opened up new channels for engagement, and illustrated how even an initial disaster isn't always intergral to the bigger picture success, e.g Boris Johnston.

Another interesting point made by Peter was the idea of the 'Fan', the hardcore sharers and creators of relevant content, they are not prone to circulation bribes but do it for the love of the brand, quanity over quality springs to mind. Getting to the right people rules over numbers.

To link in nicely with my first Social Media Week blog post is the presence of Dear Green, Glasgow coffee company. Doug spoke of their Facebook interaction with 'friends' and how they advertise their everyday routines such as roasting. When a new batch of beans is ready for roasting, Dear Green invite folk over to watch. This is infact, a pretty slow, uninteresting process but the idea of announcing and actively including people in this process is simple engagement. Also, while you're there you inevitably treat yourself to a wee coffee and cake.

Looks like we have to roll with the times and get stuck in. As long as people engage, share and respond then the shelf life of any brand can be extended.

Social Shinanigans

It's been almost a year since I volunteered in any capacity. The time had arrived again...

This was my first Social Media Week experience, this time last year I was mastermining my Distil Copywriting plan and things have been manic. Comfortable in my wordy accomplishments and workings to date I thought I'd use my week's holiday to network, learn and, as thanks to my role as a volunteer, receive free tea and cake.

Day 1

It didn't take long before I realised how much I miss volunteering. Meeting fellow enthusiasts and throwing youself into the nervous, excited chat. The SMW team are a great bunch of students, professionals and lovers of all things social media. The Skypark Social Media Lounge was home to not only a breathtaking view of our stunning Glasgow but to some tasty Where the Monkey sleeps tea and cake. Even more exciting was the presence of Glasgow roasted coffee company Dear Green.

The schedule for SMWGla is brimming with talks, discussions and meet-ups, too much to choose from really.

So first up was a talk delivered by the Glasgow Business School - Sentimental Analysis. I knew little of this subject when I entered the room and I'd be lying if I knew any more when I left. The enthusiasm of the speakers was admirable but the whizzing through the basics and foundations of it's relation to data analysis quickly lost my interest, and most of the other listeners'. Essentially the search for emotional content and the techniques implemented to derive patterns and conclusions from copious amounts of data underlined the talk. Software packages such as R, BrandWatch and GATE were discussed but I feel I lacked an understanding of their difference to one another, leading to no further investigation by me.

Monitoring social networks and the discovery of emotional content interested me the most.

A change is gonna come...

Yep, yep, It's all change here at Distil. I'm pleased to announce the launch of our NEW site and blog will be taking place on Monday 24th September! A swish, wordy wonderland redesigned and built by the fantastic LiamR.

Our site will be home, not just to a new look, but to a new 'Works' section, showcasing some of the copywriting and creative concepts we've produced for our exciting clients.

A brand spanking new blog will feature on the site too which will be the hub of all our chat, inspirations, news and project updates. Coinciding with the launch of the blog is Social Media Week Glasgow, 24th-28th September, where I will be taking part as a volunteer. To celebrate I will be christening the Distil blog with a week long coverage of the events and experiences of the week. Some sweet timing has also meant that the site launch will be swiftly followed by some exciting announcements about our involvement in recent projects, all very hush hush and exciting. Keep your eyes and ears peeled!

Before the madness strikes we are kept busy with our work for Outback Gallery, Port Mor and the David Dale Gallery. Our Twitter will be a blaze with updates and news so be kept in the loop @distilco.

D.

SMWGla Volunteer - Me!

Volunteering is something I've always been enthusiastic about. I can honestly say I've learnt more through offering my free time to projects than through any other means. Processing and applying knowledge is a huge part of learning and volunteering is perfect for that, not to mention the crazy, good networking opportunities. I've done a bit of festival planning, theatre work, culture events etc, so when SMWGla announced they were looking for volunteers I jumped at the chance. I'm in the process of re-designing the Distil site, blog, all that jazz, so some extra social media tricks and tips are going to be much appreciated. Kicking off in September, I'm really looking forward to learning, networking and meeting some good folk.

D.

NEW site, blog, logo, mug...

So,change is acomin'! After countless to-do lists and procrastinations I have finally got my arse in gear and beagn devloping my NEW site designs, content and altogether 'Distil-ness'. My work is in progress and coming along nicely, hopefullly, a brand new look will be coming at your face by the beginning of September. nail biting Alongside my new look site and logo, will be a much delayed commitment to my lovely, swish blog, and to becoming best buds with his wee self. With self-set homework, some greedy eyeballs and a procrastination free noggin, good things are on their way. Keep your eyeballs peeled and follow my progress on Twitter. It's business as usual with some great projects landing on my lap... See you on the other side!

D.

Distil's got a new wordy pal...

I'm always up for a new challenge, and a new string to add to the Distil bow so I was chuffed when The Modern Institute, Glasgow gallery, asked me to transcript 2 new interviews featuring sculptor Richard Hughes. A quick deadline, an incompatible dictaphone and 24 hours later the job's done! I genuinely enjoyed the process and hope to be able to offer those services again. Good times and some super quick typing. Boom!

D.

Hello Art Fusion and PaperGirl Glasgow!

Had a great meeting with the ladies of Art Fusion Glasgow, a collective event bringing artists, creatives and the public together under the umbrella of accesible art and passion. As part of the Gibson Street Gala, 17th June, AFG will host gallery spaces, live arts events and workshops all day. A great opportunity to showcase and introduce artists to artists, the public to creative practice and the world to wonderful works. I'll be on board providing copy services, brochures, artist bios and social media content and management, amongst enjoying the day and getting stuck in too!

Running alongside, the Papergirl Glasgow, will be also bringing some much appreciated art-love in the form of free art for the public. Lovely folks. I too shall be handling some social media, copy for their website and extra bits and bobs of wordsmithery.

Keep your peepers peeled!

People are just grand.

At the present time I am researching, networking and fishing out new contacts and inspirations. The annual 'push' and flurry of getting myself on an enthusiastic page for 2012 at Distil. My trip to Edinburger introduced me to Chris Roy, of Northswiss, a lovely chap full of knowledge, experience and a love for bikes. Hopefully a friend and co-creative of the future. Next was Alan, of Lennon Design. Very established, passionate man who gave me some key pointers and swirled up a world of jealousy over his office space. Both people I hope to see again.

My storming of Edinburgh shall commence again next week with a meeting at the very great Whitespace and perhaps a trip to Leith to pester some of the great agencies and studios in Scotland. If you are an Edinburgh resident, creative or tea drinker get in touch and let's eat some cake and chat.

She's making herself look pretty...

So, my new BIG project for this year is my craft label/collective. A collection of mine, and other Glasgow Crafters works all online, seeing profits going to artists and creatives, coupled with free advertising, support and information to help these talented bees get ahead. Free advice and a healthy push from fellow enthusiasts. Working on the site, collecting together ideas and label buddies etc, but it's gaining speed and will hopefully be officially launched and in full swing by the summer!!! Stay tuned Stitchers.