Watch out for time bandits! How your sma...

As a small business owner, I find Twitter very useful for networking. A lot of my target clients are on there so it’s a good way to break the ice and start a conversation. I’ve helped set up social media channels for a Bauer Media brand and a few smaller companies, including an estate agent and wedding dress designer. The difference between communicating as a smaller company and a large one is a blog for another day; what I’m interested in exploring today is how a small-to-medium size business can use social media channels to best effect. A ‘social...

If you’re going to be in business:...

Crocstar Media picked its feet up and took itself along to a networking event last night. Glass of bubbly on arrival – check. Organiser introducing themself – absent. Talk at the start – absent. Focus to the evening – absent. So far, so disappointing. Things didn’t improve. I spoke to one woman who, after a minute or two, seemed to think I was her friend. Within five minutes I knew how much money she’d earned in the past year, how much she had in her business account and what her friends thought of her press release writing skills. My...

‘Social’ networking – ...

I hold my hands up – I’m on Facebook – who isn’t? I also use Linkedin to look for contacts and to see who I could work with. So far, so normal. What I don’t understand is why whoever responsible came up with the label “social networking”. Since when has networking been a solitary activity? A quick definition of networking: “An extended group of people with similar interests or concerns who interact and remain in informal contact for mutual assistance or support.” Even if you don’t like the people you’re...