Bloggers learn the ropes at library course

Pictured Front row: Fiona Taylor (participant), Lynda Willis (participant), Jim O'Hagan (CEO Libraries NI), Christine Watson (TrainingMatchmaker.com), Councillor Uel Mackin (Mayor of Lisburn & Castlereagh City Council), Tina Calder (TrainingMatchmaker.com trainer Excalibur Press), Ciaran Connolly (TrainingMatchmaker.com trainer Profile Tree), Mary Jane Burns (participant) and David Archer (participant). Back row: Karen McIlwee (participant), Clare Flynn (participant) and Jill McDowell (participant).

Delivered by TrainingMatchmaker.com and backed by Libraries NI the course introduced new and intermediate bloggers to the tools and techniques necessary to become a successful presence in the online world.

Mayor of Lisburn & Castlereagh City Council, Councillor Uel Mackin, presented certificates to all participants at the Civic Centre.

Christine Watson, founder of TrainingMatchmaker.com said: “This course saw participants from all walks of life engage and take on the lessons to share unique experience. From blogging on a corporate website and creating their own lifestyle blog to creating educational YouTube channels and simple daily journalising to improve mental health. The collective learnings of the group will now have all who attended reaching for their computers, tablets and phones. The course gave them a better understanding of how blogging can be monetised and commercialised or utilised for business purposes.”

Mr Mackin added: “Social media is part of daily life for all ages and with so many social media platforms and changing trends it is important that they are communicated with in their preferred medium. It was a pleasure to meet individuals who are keen to improve their digital skills and creativity. I have no doubt the participants benefited from both the learning experience and the networking opportunity with liked-minded people.”