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Originally presented at the Software Alliance Wales Workshop on 11th November, 2010. Speaker Richard Tubb talks about how UK IT companies network, and the tools to use to successfully engage with them
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How Small IT Companies Network
Richard Tubb
Who am I?Founded an IT company in 2003“One Man Band” until 2007Merged with another local IT co in 2009Accredit UK qualified MSP9 Members of Staff, 60+ Clients across UK
www.tubblog.co.uk
www.twitter.com/tubblog
www.linkedin.com/in/richardtubb
SBSC PAL FY11
I have been appointed Microsoft Small Business Specialist Partner Area Lead for Financial Year 2011
Work with the SBSC Community as the main points of contact with Microsoft.
I’m not this type of Pal
Where will you find UK IT companies?
User GroupsPeer GroupsSocial MediaSocial Networking (yes, they’re two
different things)
User Groups
User GroupsTypically meet monthlyShared cultureGuest speakersVendors, ExpertsSocialising
Peer Groups
Small groupsHigh levels of trustSerious about Growth“Premier League”
Social Media –vs.- Social Networking
Social Media typically means YouTube, Blogs, Google Docs
Social Networking covers Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn
Social Media –vs.- Social Networking
“Social Media can be called a strategy and an outlet for broadcasting, while Social Networking is a tool and a utility for connecting with others.” - Lon S. Cohen
http://jess3.com/the-conversation-prism-v3/
First rule of Social Media
Do NOT sell!Offer ValueEducateStart ConversationsBuild Trust
Blogs
Free and Easy
WordPress
Blogger
Why bother blogging?
“I have nothing to say”“Who will read?”
140 Characters
Easy to find like-minded people“I follow you on Twitter”Asks questions, start conversationsShare content of interestUse Hashtags #
Everyone has an accountSwapped Business Cards? Connect!LinkedIn GroupsLinkedIn QuestionsWhat does your Profile say about you?
Clear Business ApplicationsEither create two accountsPreferably, use Filters (Friends, Work,
Clients, etc)Fan Pages create way to cultivate interest
Flickr
Create Photo groups for eventsLink to photos from Twitter, FB, LinkedIn
YouTube
Buy, Beg, Steal or Borrow a Flip HD Camera
Upload Video Interviews with clients, partners, raving fans
Use Camtasia Studio to create video Screencasts
Typical attention span is 90 seconds – make sure videos are short
Many platforms – use them all!
Some people adore TwitterSome people don’t get TwitterSome people prefer FacebookSome people love LinkedInSome people like e-mailsSome people never read e-mailsSome people are visual - YouTubeSome people like to lurkSome people like to engage
Tools
Only 140 Characters to play withMeasure and Manage through MetricsUnderstand what is of interestCustomisable Links
Tools
Schedule Status UpdatesManage multiple accountsCreate Search KeywordsCreate Groups – no need to follow peopleUpdate LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook, MySpace,
Google Buzz, FourSquare – all from one location
Tailor content for platforms…Facebook = @, Twitter = #LinkedIn = neither
Tools
Outlook Social Connector
Tools
Daily e-mail digest of key-wordsCatches Tweets that you don’t spot first
time
Create Content Loops
Content, Content, Content
Upload Photographs to Flickr, linking back to your web-site
Post videos to YouTube, linking to your Blog Posts
Use Twitter to link to Flickr and YouTube
E-Mail is Dead (ok, not quite but…)
Make content re-usable and shareableMicrosoft SkydriveDropboxGoogle DocsScribd
Collaborative Working
Transparency
Be yourselfPeople are drawn to like minded
individualsThat doesn’t mean the world wants to
know your every thoughtDon’t e-mail blog when angryIt’s ok to show you’re human
Call to Action
Create or start using your LinkedIn account – add me as a contact!
Setup a Twitter account at www.twitter.com – then ask me via @tubblog for more details on local User Groups
www.tubblog.co.uk
www.twitter.com/tubblog
www.linkedin.com/in/richardtubb
netlink.trading
www.facebook.com/tubblog