As someone who’s been immersed in online technologies for well over a decade, I’ve gained a great deal of experience in social media as it has grown. It’s now a jumble of competing and overlapping services, and those new can feel that it’s impossible to know where to start.

I can help by talking with you to discover your social media or online needs, often the most simple of steps can really work wonders. An informal discussion — only one or two hours —will usually throw up a number of easy ways to increase engagement with your customers or clients.

Whether it’s using Facebook to keep in touch, or a blog to share your experience and knowledge (trust me it works!) or maybe we could cook something special up for a campaign or event. Whatever the solution I can also offer training to get you up and running, or if it’s a major project take some of the strain for you.

If it’s the right approach I can also produce the websites. I’ve also developed Facebook applications and other widgets. We can make just what we need!

How I got here

I’ve been working with online media since discovering the internet while studying Computer Science at Birmingham University, first as a hobby then latterly professionally.

I spent nearly four years working for the BBC – as technical co-ordinator of the Public Space at BBC Birmingham, where I designed and built large scale interactive exhibits , permanent and themed interactive displays and film – by originating ideas and producing or commissioning material in a variety of media.

I’ve worked as a technical editor, commissioning editor, and author on multimedia design books – including titles on Flash, Director, QuickTime and Final Cut – and I’ve also written for the press on topics such as music and culture in Birmingham. I currently write a blog for the Birmingham Post newspaper.

When building a system it’s my philosophy that the owners of the content should also own their own internet presence, and be able to control it as easily as possible — the internet is fast moving and you should be able to react without waiting for others. Training users on the proposed solution is always part of the plan.

Where I’m from

I live in Birmingham – a city that historically has had a poor image, but I enjoy trying to change that. My blogging and general Birmingham noise-making led me to be listed as the “14th most influential person in the West Midlands” in this year’s Power 50 list.