Demystifying tech, spreadsheets and AI for freelancers (provided by SA Mathieson)

This online course will tell you the first things you need to know about providing yourself with the technology you need to work effectively as a creative freelance business, including technology basics, spreadsheets, artificial intelligence and time hacks.

From 10:30 until 13:00

This training course is provided by SA Mathieson.

Who is it aimed at?

• You are new to freelance work and no longer have an IT department to choose software and help you do things.
• You have some experience as a freelancer but would like to brush up your knowledge of using IT for business purposes.

What technology knowledge do I need?

• Basic knowledge only of using the internet and office software such as Microsoft’s for email and word processing.
• No prior knowledge is needed of using spreadsheets or artificial intelligence services.

What technology will I need to take the course?

• Participants will need to have a Google account (you already have one if you have an Android smartphone or you can set one up for free at google.com) and be logged into it to participate in some exercises.
• It will be easier to participate in exercises when using a device with a keyboard and a reasonable size screen such as a laptop or a personal computer.

What will I be able to do afterwards?

• Start using a spreadsheet to help run your business.
• Know when it makes sense to use an artificial intelligence services – and when not.
• Use software to collect data from others, track your time and organise what you know.

What will the training cover?

Basics

• Computer hardware and using it comfortably.
• First things you need to know about security.
• Choices on office software, including the pros and cons of Microsoft 365 and free alternatives including Google and LibreOffice.

Spreadsheets

• Using spreadsheets as tables, to generate graphs and as calculators.
• Using spreadsheets for business purposes such as planning your time, logging your work, tracking and managing your finances.

Artificial intelligence

• The pros and cons of using AI.
• Specific tasks where you can make use of AI including transcribing, drafting material, improving your own drafts and summarising.

Time hacks

• Saving time by using software and online services to collect and organise data from a webform, scheduling interviews or meetings, tracking time spent working and organise your knowledge.

Questions are welcome throughout. If you have more specific or detailed queries, there will be time to discuss these at the end of the session.

Please note that the course does not cover professional software for specific areas of expertise - this is about running yourself as a successful business.

What resources will I get?

• All the slides as a PDF.
• A short guide to using spreadsheet functions.
• A spreadsheet with example creative freelance business processes.
• Links to further online resources.

Who provides the training?

This course is provided by SA Mathieson. He has worked as a freelance journalist focusing on technology for nearly two decades and has run training on working as a freelancer for nearly a decade, most recently for NUJ Training Wales. He teaches data journalism at Oxford Brookes University and Bauer Academy and is the NCTJ's senior examiner for the subject.  This course draws on his knowledge and experience of freelancing, technology and data journalism.

How do I book?

Just click on the link in the box below and fill out the short form on SA Mathieson's website. No payment is needed at this stage.

Some small print

SA Mathieson reserves the right to cancel or postpone courses without liability. This may happen if not enough people register. However, where possible, delegates will be offered an alternative date or a full refund.

The normal rate per person is £75 (VAT not applicable). However, if you're self-funding you can pay a lower fee from £15. No questions asked.