Workshops

Straight from MacWorld! Digital Photo Workshop: Shoot & Edit Like a Pro! Beg/Int

In this session you’ll learn tried and true techniques for getting better shots in camera, no matter what camera you use. Discover how to easily get the photos into your computer and then dip your toes into the friendly editing environment of the affordable Adobe Photoshop Elements—you’ll walk away understanding how to correct color, create gorgeous grayscales, partial color effects, add a color tint, and more. (This is a 2 hour class, one will be offered in the AM and the PM workshops - no need to bring cameras or laptops, but are welcome to)

Intro to Photoshop BEG

In this beginner session, get a general overview of Photoshop and learn the tools you’ll use the most. Finally understand the mystery behind resolution and resizing images for print and web use. Learn a few quick tips to improve any photo, such as simple transformations to straighten and crop images. If you’ve never used Photoshop before and want to try, this is the class for you. (You do not have to have a computer or Photoshop software for this class, but if you have both, bring them.)

Photoshop … the Next Step INT

You know the basics of Photoshop, you’re familiar with most of the tools and are switching between layers in your sleep, so now what? We’ll show how adjustment layers and layer masks can increase productivity and improve photographs. Learn the correct way to remove objects and merge photographs. Discover some editing tips of the pros and learn how to think outside the box. (You do not have to have a computer or Photoshop software for this class, but if you have both, bring them.)

Becoming Proficient on my PC!

Beginner: Understanding the basics of computers. Learn the basics of getting around on your computer, including copy and paste concepts, shortcuts, data/file management.  Customize your desktop to suit your needs.

Intermediate: Learn advanced features and functions that will help you work more efficiently on your PC with Office applications. Tips and tricks in Outlook & Express/ as well as Word, Excel and Internet surfing.

PC Maintenance and Troubleshooting a/k/a Be your own Techie!

Intermediate: Basic tasks to ensure your PC is safe and to prevent problems.  Do you have a back up plan in place?  What is RAM and do you have enough?  Safely install new software and/or updates.  Basic troubleshooting and what to try before calling tech support.

Advanced: What to look for and change if your machine is running slowly, including how to clean up your machine of unneeded software and files.  What to do if you think you have you have a virus.  Advanced troubleshooting and what to try before calling tech support.

iGoogle – Do You? BEG

If you’re like most people, you use Google’s products several times a day to search for information or check email. Most people don’t know, however, how many useful tools Google has to make research and time management much easier. This workshop is designed to showcase a few of the products Google offers that may be worth trying for personal and business use.

So you want to build a website?

Introduction to HTML & Dreamweaver  BEG

In this beginner session topics covered will be securing a domain and hosting account, transferring your files to the host server with FTP, basic HTML and the basic Dreamweaver user screens and tool menus.

Dreamweaver Design, Layouts, and Styles oh my! INT

Now the fun begins!  Discover all the best practices for design and layout of web pages and the more in-depth options for interactive content -embed video, basic contact forms, Google Maps and photo galleries.  Also in this workshop an overview of Dreamweaver’s preset layouts and an introduction to cascading stylesheets.

Dreamweaver Crazy Cool Extensions and Widgets  ADV

This workshop is designed for the intermediate/advanced user who wants to take website design to the next level.  Discover Behaviors, Spry Widgets, Server side commands and animation. Note: Software and laptop not required, though if you have Dreamweaver CS3/4 and laptop feel free to bring to class.  Adobe does have free 30 day trials of Dreamweaver to Download Here

Intro to InDesign BEG

If you’re sick of creating everything in Photoshop or Publisher and want to learn a better way, come see what all the fuss is about with InDesign. Learn how to create custom pages, add text and import graphics to create flyers, stationary and newsletters. Print or create PDF documents from your files to send to customers or printers. (You do not have to have a computer or InDesign software for this class, but if you have both, bring them.)

InDesign … Beyond the Basics INT

If you’ve been working with InDesign, Quark or PageMaker, we’ll have a quick overview then get into the good stuff! You’ll learn how to increase productivity with styles, add flare to graphics and type, import excel files and create tables. We’ll also show examples of how InDesign is used with the Adobe Creative Suite. (You do not have to have a computer or InDesign software for this class, but if you have both, bring them.)

Video Basics BEG

Basic info on camera, audio, minimum editing equipment, what to look for in a camera, what are the important features. Video basics: framing & basic composition.  Length of video, timing, editing basics.

So You Want to be on YouTube!?! INT

The How’s & why’s to using video on the web.  Video for your business, video as a marketing tool, how to compose you
r video, how to prepare your videos for youtube - other options and why

Wordpress - It’s more than just a Blog INT

In this class you will learn all about Wordpress basics, themes, add-ons, using Wordpress for as your CMS website.

Beginning Social Media BEG

You hear the buzzwords all the time, Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter, but now it is time to find out how to sign up and use them for your business or organization. In this class you will learn how to signup, what information to add and what not to add, how to get a basic understanding of them and when is the best time to use them.

Twitter for Business! INT-ADV

This class will be centered around the very popular micro-blogging web service “Twitter” and how to use it to promote your business. We will look at Fortune 500 companies using it, the low cost of using it, the etiquette and all the ways to track your “tweets”, and some popular applications that use Twitter data to do some pretty cool things. (This class is only for people who have taken the social media classes and/or if you already have a Twitter account.)

QuickBooks

Learn the basics of Quickbooks for your business! Get all the answers on setting up your business, setting up your chart of accounts, AP/AR, invoices, etc. (You do not need a computer or QuickBooks software on your laptop for this class.)

Intermediate QuickBooks

Anyone who has taken the basic class, or if you have an understanding of QuickBooks should take this class. This class will focus on QuickBooks operations for your own business. (You do not need a computer or QuickBooks software on your laptop for this class.)

Get your Google on: Search Engine Optimization for Beginners

Ever wonder why your company’s website doesn’t come up highly on Google searches?    This class will help demystify Google and how it ranks websites, and will teach you basic techniques to optimize your company’s website to come up better in search engines.  Even if you don’t do the updating on your website, you can communicate what you learn to your web developer.    No laptop required

Getting traffic to your website: Website Marketing for Beginners

There are many easy ways to build traffic to your website, including email marketing, paid links, paid search, social media, and “offline” sources. Some are free, some cost money.  This class will help you figure out a simple marketing plan to build traffic your website, which builds your business.   No laptop required.

The ABC’s of Blogs - BEG

If these words sound like Chinese: headers, tags, categories, widgets, plugins, links and more - then this workshop is for you! We’ll define them and discover how to use them.

Setting up your Free Blog - BEG

This workshop will walk you through setting up a free and easy blog on two most popular blog software platforms: Wordpress and Blogger. We’ll also discuss the pros and cons of each choice.

Blogging for business (without sounding like a used car salesman) - INT

How can a blog help your business authentically? We’ll explore ways to use a blog to build a mailing list and a subscriber list, create and grow real client relationships, sell products and services, advertise, promote yourself, connect with other business partners and establish yourself as an expert in your field.

Blog writing. Yes! It is different than other writing! -INT

This workshop will cover voice, audience, purpose, strategy, content, length and formatting for blog writing.

The importance of using Social Media to drive traffic to your website - INT

First you needed a website, then a blog, now you’ve also got to be active in social media (Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter, Squidoo)…find out what the buzz is all about and how it will help your business.

Twitter! And why it will change your world and your business - INT

Twitter is one of the most influential social networks today - with over 5 million users and growing at a rate of 5-10,000 per day. This workshop will help you set up a profile and teach you how to use it effectively as a marketing tool.

Podcasting for Beginners

What is podcasting? Learn the basics of what podcasts are, how to find podcasts on iTunes, how to subscribe, and should I be doing a podcast for my business or hobby.

Intermediate Podcasting

In this class, we will look at the equipment you need for podcasting, look at some famous podcasts and how they evolved, what you need to get started and etiquette.

I Want to Podcast! - ADV

In this hands-on class, you will get the opportunity to create a podcast, the class will watch and then discuss ways to improve for the next one, and get you started on how to do it yourself.

MORE WORKSHOPS COMING DAILY!!! Check back every day for updates.