28 . Glasgow Business May/June 2013


Chamber How to generate business


leads using social media Social media success isn’t found by just shouting statements into the void, says Mark Hunter of Postable Ltd


T


witer is one of those social networks where understanding the relation between “real


life” networking and social networking is key. Once we understand that


Twiter is all about us being able to network with people, real people, maybe we can get past all of the angst that social networking frequently causes to bubble up in our minds. Here’s the thing about social


networks, we’re told – oſten – that we “need to be on [insert name of social network]”. Now, for each one of us personally, business and work aside, it isn’t a big leap of faith to dip our toe in the water, if you’ll pardon my mixed metaphors. We sign-up, have a poke about


and then decide if we’re going to get any use out of it. Twiter, for example, is dead


easy. Sign up for an account and Twiter pushes you down the garden path of following other accounts that it believes will be useful to you. Upload a quirky image as your profile photo, and then take it or leave it. You may scratch your head as


to what possible benefit it adds to your personal life, which is understandable at first, but you haven’t wasted a great deal of time. You’re not puting much in and you don’t expect much in return. It’s when we start delving into


social networks on behalf of our business or company that it gets a litle bit trickier. For example, imagine if you


were to atend a networking event hosted by Glasgow Chamber of Commerce. You know that lots of


interesting business people will be in atendance at this networking event, so you’ve dug out the business cards, put on a clean shirt, or blouse, and you’ve made the effort to show up at the event’s venue. However, once there, your


strategy for “networking” is to stand outside in the foyer, on your own. Once every 10 or 15 minutes you open the door into the room where the actual networking is taking place and you shout a short sentence in the general direction of the atendees. Ten you close the door,


waiting once more alone in the foyer for the next opportunity to


» Forthcoming training


WINNING EXPORT ORDERS Tuesday 18 June


ROUTES TO MARKET Wednesday 19 June


SUCCESSFUL SELLING OVERSEAS Thursday 20 June


Delegates attend one of Glasgow Chamber of Commerce’s practical hands-on workshops on Social Media delivered by Postable Ltd


shout something into the room, on your own. Incredibly that’s how many


businesses and companies approach the networking experience that Twiter offers them; litle to no interaction, just shouting the occasional statement, hoping that someone cares, that someone will listen. In the real world, our success at


networking – making new contacts, generating business leads – would be laughable if we took the above approach. Instead, quality networking


takes place when we mingle. When we listen. When we make introductions. When we connect. So, how does a smart business do all of that using Twiter as a


INCOTERMS® AND THEIR IMPORTANCE Monday 24 June


PRE-RETIREMENT Tuesday 25 June


LETTERS OF CREDIT Tuesday 25 June


EXPORT AND DOCUMENTATION PROCEDURES Thursday 27 June


IMPORT DOCUMENTATION AND PROCEDURES Friday 28 June


For further information on all our courses, please contact our Training Department on 0141 204 8332 or training@ glasgowchamberofcommerce.com or visit www.glasgowchamberofcommerce.com


networking tool? Because, as the term suggests, social networking should be about doing what works in the “real world”, connecting, listening, mingling, introducing ourselves.


But how?


Once we understand how to use Twiter as a tool to listen first, many business find that, suddenly, it becomes something of worth, of value. Leads are generated. New connections are made. Tey become relevant and credible. Tey become helpful and useful. Glasgow Chamber of


Commerce runs a practical hands-on workshop entitled “Focus On … … Twiter – How to Generate Leads By Shuting Up and Listening”. If you’re at all serious about geting value out of Twiter, or you are even remotely interested in geting new business leads, I’d encourage you to come along. Just don’t stand outside in the foyer.


KEEP UP TO DATE WITH CHAMBER TRAINING OPPORTUNITIES Check out Glasgow Chamber’s website: www.glasgowchamber ofcommerce.com for details of all our forthcoming social media workshops, or call Elaine Rodger on 0141 204 8332.


training online http://bit.ly/Q1foE0


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