A BUSINESS community that has its roots in Bournemouth and Poole is introducing workshops to help people build loyal audiences.

You Are The Media started as a weekly email in October 2013 and is now a weekly podcast, an annual conference and a monthly live event.

It is a marketing and media training and learning community that helps businesses to be seen and heard.

Founder Mark Masters has decided to introduce workshops in 2020.

He said: “Over the years, as the You Are The Media audience has grown, I recognised the importance of creating learning in a way that people prefer.

“What the new workshops represent is a deeper learning into topics related to marketing today. It focuses on how businesses can build spaces where customers want to stay and spend with those they feel attached to.

“The annual Edelman Trust Barometer highlights how people are distrusting businesses, brands and government more than ever. At the same time people are trusting those they know, people they work with and those they feel connected to.

“This presents a shift for businesses to build an audience where people trust them and believe what they stand for.

“What You Are The Media becomes is a platform for marketing and media learning within the local area.”

Recognised global marketing names have come to Dorset to present at You Are The Media events.

They include the author of Known and Marketing Rebellion, Mark Schaefer.

Mr Masters plans to bring more industry professionals to the local area to continue the learning in 2020.

“We are going to cover topics such as content planning with Janet Murray, LinkedIn with John Espirian and PR today with Trevor Young. All well regarded leaders from within the UK and overseas,” he said.

Mr Masters is from Poole and recognises the importance to put the local area on the marketing and media map. “For those people who come to the area for the summer conference and workshops, it is about presenting the local area as a reputable place for marketing learning on a wider UK scale. We are bringing people from around the country and beyond to us. When you are an active participant in the place called home, everyone can benefit,” he added.

“When you market your place, alongside what you market, other people join forces.”

n You Are the Media workshops start from January 30.

The You Are the Media Conference is at Shelley Theatre, Boscombe, on Thursday May 21, 2020, with details at youarethemedia.co.uk