Note: Pete won't be doing any surgeries until January 22nd at the earliest. Others are welcome to use the space though.

The Birmingham Social Media Surgery takes place at Rooty's cafe in the Custard Factory (map) every Thursday from 4-6pm. This is an opportunity to get help and ask questions about blogging and other social media tools. It's free and informal so you're welcome to just pop in.

Pete Ashton promises to be there every week and maintains this page. Other social media professionals are more than welcome to come down and help out.

Some topics /questions people have come with:

• How does Google rank search results?
• What are hashtags in Twitter?
• How best to use a blog for [some project]?
• Help upgrading WordPress after being hacked.
• Explaining how things like Feedburner work.
• Optimising layout of blog sidebars.
• How best to organise a group blog for a voluntary organisation?
• How do I fit blogging into my already busy day?

And the big one:

• I think we shoud have a blog on our website but have no idea why.

If you have a question like this, or a question completely unlike this but related to blogs and social media, then bring it along. 

If you work in the social media industry these surgeries can be very useful, not just for meeting potential new clients but to stretch your thinking ability to explain concepts. It also gives you a nice warm glow that you gave something back to society.