Businesses learn how to stimulate demand using online chatter
6th April 2010
Another successful event organised by Digital Birmingham saw 50 local small and medium enterprises (SMEs) explore how using social media and web 2.0 could help them stimulate demand.
The project funded by Be Birmingham’s Working Neighbourhood Fund (WNF) is being run jointly by Digtal Birmingham and Birmingham City University (BCU). The university is delivering sixteen business assists, and Digital Birmingham are hosting four events showcasing the case studies to other SMEs, and encouraging them to explore the benefits of using social media and Web 2.0 such as Facebook, Twitter, blogging and mobile to stimulate demand and increase business.
The first free event, which sold out very quickly, hosted at Birmingham Science Park Aston on 31st March helped Digital Birmingham identify just how many small business are interested in understanding how these new Social media channels work. Feedback was extremely positive with most businesses increasing their understanding of Web 2.0 by almost 25%. 83% of attendees thought the content was very interesting and 96% of attendees signed up to receive the Digital Birmingham newsletter which will contain information on the next free Web 2.0 events.
Interestingly, ‘when asked where did you hear about this event?’ one of the most successful channels was stated as being the Birmingham Business Bulletin which highlights the value of receiving these targeted email bulletins.
Digital Birmingham plan to hold another three similar events throughout the year, in their bid to encourage Birmingham to become a leading digital city. Helping businesses to take the lead in how they benefit from using social media will help businesses to grow and ultimately employ more people in our region.
If you would like to sign up to receive future Digital Birmingham e-newsletters email your contact details to digital@birmingham.gov.uk or simply look out for news on forthcoming events in your Birmingham Business Bulletin.
