Warami Technology Consulting

Social networking has well and truly arrived amongst West Lothian's business community.

Businesses already using online social media such as LinkedIn or Twitter may have noticed something a little different since an event held in Livingston last week - the abundance of West Lothian businesses that have exploded onto the social networking scene.

Over 50 West Lothian businesses got together on 11 March at the first of a series of e-Business events organised in conjunction with Business Gateway West Lothian to learn how they could achieve business growth through social networking.

For the uninitiated, LinkedIn is the favoured business networking site, whilst Twitter allows for direct communication with customers, potential customers and suppliers.

Even as the event was taking place, Tweets (the name for communications on Twitter) were bouncing round the internet talking about the huge opportunities that exist for business through social networking tools.

On hand at last Wednesday's meeting to highlight the benefits for business were online media specialists Colin Gilchrist of Digital Face and Mike Coulter of Digital Agency, who demonstrated and discussed the advantages of online tools for companies.

Giving real-life case study examples, their presentations highlighted the phenomenal power of social networking sites and how, in the current economic climate, businesses are able to supplement their traditional marketing using these tools to reach large numbers of potential customers at very low cost. The core of their message was that with investment in staff time to build your brand online you can reap the benefits in increased sakes with no direct financial outlay.

Executive councillor for development and transport, Martyn Day said: "Using the internet to develop social networking communications is accessible, easy and low cost option for every size of business. Regular communications with customers is a proven way to build loyalty and relationships."

Local business woman, Alison Winn of Seasons Design, said "It was great to see the positive reaction amongst the local business community and how it is pulling together to beat the economic downturn.  Linking, twittering and blogging is a great way to promote our services at no financial cost."

The next e-Business West Lothian event will take place on 8th April on the subject of "Blogging for business". To attend or to learn more about e-Business West Lothian and how it could help your business, call Andy Gilpin, e-business Adviser at West Lothian Business Gateway on 01506 777998 or email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it .

You can start twittering and sign up for West Lothian's business news feed at www.twitter.com/westlothian

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