NZ Comedy Trust presents The Digital Sandpit

The Trust are super excited to be bringing back THE DIGITAL SANDPIT as a free industry development initiative to support professional growth, helping creatives to build their online engagement and reach new audiences.

You’ll learn practical skills and time-saving tips that will help you prioritise your attention to help boost your online presence. Plus, its a great chance to bring the community together to network, collaborate, and discover fresh ideas to elevate your creative journey.

What to expect from the day:

1. Podcast Pathways: Creative Collaboration with RNZ Commissioners
An interactive seminar designed to explore RNZ’s podcast commissioning process, offering valuable insights into content priorities, audience trends, and funding opportunities for Aotearoa’s podcast creators. RNZ Commissioners will break down what makes a pitch stand out– what they are looking for, and what they’re not.
Interested in submitting an EOI? This is your chance to be in the room to ask your questions, gain valuable clarity straight from the experts and to network. You can read more about the initiative here.

2. Behind the Mic: Podcasting Insights with Makers Brodie Kane & Johanna Cosgrove
Join renowned podcasters Brodie Kane (Kiwi Yarns, The Girls Uninterrupted) and Johanna Cosgrove (Rats In The Gutter) as they take you behind the scenes of their podcasting journeys! Discover their top tips, fresh insights, and the creative strategies behind their podcasts and get inspired by their diverse paths to success.

Lunch Break - The perfect time to continue networking with lunch provided by The Trust! Please register by Mon 11th Nov so we can capture any specific dietary requirements for catering.

3. Beyond the Likes: What Works, What Doesn't, and Why.
Case study with Mike Legg.
In today’s fast-paced digital world, cracking the code to social media success can feel like a never-ending challenge. This session breaks it all down with real-world insights from Mike Legg, the powerhouse behind @mikeandjoelle, who has made a serious impact with 1.5M followers on Instagram, 1.1M on TikTok, and 800K+ on YouTube. Mike will share practical tips, tricks, and myth-busting insights on what really works—and what doesn’t—across various platforms. Come ready with your questions and get a behind-the-scenes look at how he’s risen above the noise to build a loyal, engaged following.

4. Cut, Caption, Capture: Social Media Editing Made Simple
Hosted by Kermath from Cuetone Media.
Editing content for social media can be overwhelming, especially with the pressure to create engaging, polished material across multiple platforms. This hands on workshop will help take the stress out of the process by walking you through step-by-step editing techniques. Take your content to the next level with tips on how to select, trim, caption, format, and optimise your videos to grab attention and keep audiences engaged. No matter where you are on your editing journey, this session will equip you with the latest practical tools you can start using right away.

This event is free but spaces are limited. Registration is OPEN NOW! Click the ticket button to secure your spot by Friday 15th November (or Monday 11th November for catering purposes).

We can't wait to see you there!