Social Media - are you taking advantage?
It’s difficult to imagine a world when we didn’t communicate, both at work and at home, using a form of modern technology. Whether it’s a text message, a Facebook update, an email or letting a whole world of strangers know your every movement on Twitter – our way of keeping in touch certainly has come a long way over the last couple of decades.
I don’t think that any of us, no matter what age, are not using modern forms of technology at least once per day. When was the last time you wrote someone a letter? When did you last send a paper memo at work? It’s so much easier to draft out an email and ping that out to as many of our contacts as we like. In fact, we sent out our Christmas card to thousands of clients, not utilising the fine services that Royal Mail offer – it was done via email. Not only does it ensure that the card goes to the correct person, but it is instant and (whisper it) very cost effective. I think our Finance Director would have a nosebleed if I’d asked to post them out! I’d be lucky to be on bread and water for the rest of the year. The feedback for the card was generally very good, and it was lovely to get the kind wishes in return.
However, even email is becoming as old as the hills. The current “in-thing” is Social Media. One in twelve people across the globe are now on Facebook. Twitter has around 300 million users, then you have the “Facebook for Professionals”, LinkedIn which has well over 100 million users and growing. These eye watering statistics show just how powerful social media can be if used in the right way. It’s not all about telling your followers and connections about how good you are (although it does no harm to mention it every now and again) but it’s about connecting and conversing with the people who have taken the interest in you. Tell them why they should take an interest in you. Give them information they can use or pass on. That is what we intend to do with our social media activity. We want to inform you, the user, what is going on at Westray Towers that will affect you.
If you’re yet to be converted into the “Social Media is great” mindset, then Julie Phair should be my exhibit A. An out of work 40 year old from Tyneside decided to use money she received for her birthday to set up her own business which has slowly grown into a reputable company in the region with 25 people now on the payroll. She recently picked up the accolade of Small Business Sunday Club winner by Dragon’s Den entrepreneur – Theo Paphitis, where she beat over 100,000 other candidates. Theo then tweeted the details to over 140,000 followers. How else are you going to hit so many people in one swoop without paying a penny?
A lot of organisations, large and small, have a Social Media presence. They often utilised to pass on special offers to their followers, encouraging them to continue to engage with the brand. If you are yet to venture down the Social Media path, then I would seriously consider it.
If you’re looking for a specialist in this area or merely someone to join your marketing section, please give our Commercial team a call on 0191 415 1100.
Stephen Farrell - Marketing Manager
Get in touch with Stephen on sfarrell@westray.co.uk
