Aspiring content creators learn to increase online reach at SMA’s workshop

Sibu-based author, Golda Mowe (left) in a group discussion.

SIBU, Aug 18: Several aspiring Sarawakian content creators gained valuable knowledge on how to effectively market their content online, all thanks to the Sarawak Multimedia Authority (SMA) workshop ‘Creating Content That Matters’.

The one-day workshop was held at the Sibu Municipal Council Public Library here yesterday (Aug 17).

According to SMA via a media release, attendees included marketing and communication consultants, book author, creative director, photographers, filmmakers, students and other creative industry players.

They comprised students, government servants and private sector employees not only from Sibu, but also from Miri, Tanjung Manis, Kanowit and Kuching.

The workshop started with an ice-breaking session where participants shared their expectations and why they came to the workshop.

According to Sibu-based author Golda Mowe, one of the main reasons she came was because she wanted to know how to market her books via social media and the correct way in marketing her content.

This reflects the need for this type of programme to be conducted throughout Sarawak. SMA hopes to fulfil this increasing demand to support the expansion of the creative industry and prepare Sarawakians for the Digital Economy.

Osha (right) and Nurul Amarlina pose for a photo before their presentations.

The four-hour workshop consisted of two sessions. The first session was about the basics of content writing by digital content writer Nurul Amarlina.

The second slot of the workshop was helmed by digital content editor Osha Basri, who has 15 years of experience in radio broadcasting. She is also a freelance voice-over talent for radio and corporate videos.

The workshop incorporated not only input from the trainers’ perspective, but also facilitated two-way communication with feedback from the attendees.

Sibu-based video producer Syafiq Zahin said he joined the workshop because he wanted to bring his videos to more people nationally and internationally.

“Sarawak has lots of things to be shared, just that they need to find and refine the media platform that’s being used to promote and this is the area that I would like to learn more of from the workshop,” he said.

Workshop trainers and participants pose for a photo.

Based on the issue raised by participants, the trainers were able to identify problems the participants were facing and gave suggestions to improve the attendees’ digital content and utilisation of social media platforms.

The attendees were also given hands-on tasks to test their understanding and to ensure they absorbed key take-aways from the workshop.

SMA hopes that this type of workshop which is being held throughout Sarawak, can help to boost Sarawak’s creative industries in line with the state government’s Sarawak Digital Economy Strategy. — DayakDaily