Social networking is key to business

Advantages of social networking highlighted at women’s conference


Áine Ryan

SOCIAL networking and social media marketing is the new and progressive way to promote business on the internet. That was what Ms Maggie Ruane, of Momentum Marketing, told participants at a recent women’s conference, ‘Twenty Ways to Improve your Business’, organised by the Mayo County Enterprise Board.
The event was held in the Knockranny House Hotel, Westport, recently, to mark International Women’s Day.
Facebook, Twitter, Linkedin and YouTube can contribute significant benefits to business, Ms Ruane said. For some years, Ms Ruane has specialised in offering meaningful results oriented sales and marketing mentoring, as well as consultancy and training expertise across a wide range of SME sectors.
Coincidentally, she cited Westport harbour restaurant, The Creel, run by Trisha O’Doherty, as a local example of a business using social media effectively.
Focussing on another key dimension of business practise, accountant, Ms Fiona Egan, of Office Solutions, strongly recommended that all costs and overheads be forensically examined. Ms Egan also urged business people to always complete their accounts within three months of the end of a financial year.
The final speaker, Ms Sue Baird of SABOC International, based in Kiltimagh, addressed the subject of customer service. Ms Baird encouraged all the participants to look after existing and loyal customers. She highlighted the importance of educating the entire team, ensuring that ‘everyone has the same training and outlook, so that customers always get what they expect’.
Finally, before a session of round table discussions, Ms Joan Hession, the facilitator, observed that networking is not just about selling but also about interaction. She said that business people must prepare for networking, and be aware of what they want to get out of it.
Mayo County Enterprise Board offers a range of business advice and training supports to small and micro enterprises in Mayo. Further information: 094 9047587 or  www.mayoceb.com.

Tweeting at The Creel
OWNER of the Westport Quay restaurant, The Creel, Trisha O’Doherty has been tweeting for about a year now. “We literally tweet about everything. For example, we had been tweeting with a couple from Achill – back and over – for a while. Something like this:
‘Nice day in Achill.’
‘Well, the sun is shining here too. It would be a great day for climbing the Reek.’
I think Facebook is better for business, while tweeting is more for social interaction. We plan on setting up a Facebook account soon.”