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

richard@tubblog.co.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?”

Twitter

140 Characters

Easy to find like-minded people“I follow you on Twitter”Asks questions, start conversationsShare content of interestUse Hashtags #

LinkedIn

Everyone has an accountSwapped Business Cards? Connect!LinkedIn GroupsLinkedIn QuestionsWhat does your Profile say about you?

Facebook

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

richard@tubblog.co.uk

www.tubblog.co.uk

www.twitter.com/tubblog

www.linkedin.com/in/richardtubb

netlink.trading

www.facebook.com/tubblog