Are you getting your share of the Twitter Pie?

In our January newsletter we mentioned Twitter and Facebook and highlighted it in our March news as one of the key trends for 2010.  It is easy to be cynical about social networking as something that is for the kids or for people who have too much time on their hands.  However small to large companies across the UK are finding that it is a valuable marketing tool that can raise awareness of your company, draw traffic to your website and actually bring you business.  Still cynical?  Well you are not alone so we thought we would show through live examples how social networking can be a targeted and cost effective marketing tool for your business.

Firstly we have to practice what we preach.  Bright Light Marketing has been using social media seriously as part of our marketing communications since January.  Since then approx 15% of traffic to our website is from Twitter and 5% from Facebook and our web sessions have increased on a monthly basis.  In addition as a direct result of being on Twitter we have made a new partnership with a PR colleague who we are currently working with on three projects which has brought in additional business.  Finally we have also won a contract as the client found us on Twitter proving that you can actually convert awareness of your company fairly quickly to actual business.

We also work with the Tontine Hotel on their Facebook and Twitter account.  Since they have been using social networking as a marketing tool traffic to their website has significantly increased month on month with an increase in new customers looking at their site.  In addition a Scottish Travel agency has linked with their site and this itself is drawing 100 user sessions to the www.tontinehotel.com site each month.  Finally again partnerships have been made with other local accommodation providers in the area on Twitter and one local and breakfast had lunch at the Tontine as a result of Twitter and then tweeted how they had enjoyed it to their followers.

Another self catering client who is using Facebook can attribute over & of sales to the Facebook page and particularly uses it for last minute bookings and also to get feedback from customers on her product.  She also finds it a great way of getting customers to refer friends and family to her and finds that the viral effect just happens with a little work from herself in keeping the page up to date.

Bright Light Marketing believe that social networking can work for any company like any marketing you need to know who your customers are and from there choose the best social networking tool for your clients.  For some it will be Facebook, others Twitter and for others another tool like LinkedIn.  Bright Light Marketing are working with clients on social networking in many sectors including retail and tourism.  To find out how Bright Light Marketing can raise your profile contact Fiona Drane on 01750 505053/ Email fiona.drane@brightlightmarketing.co.uk.
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