21 Mar 2020 | Business, Networking
Lots of people have been asking me about using Zoom this week. Whether it's for virtual meetings, webinars, conference calls, or community support… with the coronavirus restrictions there are a whole host of reasons why businesses and community organisations are looking to use apps like this.
4Networking will be running 40 online networking meetings this coming week, all using Zoom. A couple of charities that we work with are looking at ways of using it to stay engaged with the families that rely on their services; and a number of small businesses we support are wanting to use it for staff and client meetings as they switch to a ‘work from home' environment.
I've been using Zoom for over five years now, running training sessions, providing 1-to-1 remote support and hosting video conference calls with people not just across the UK but across the world. They've built a solid, reliable platform that works well, and added a few little optional extras in along the way.
The video below is based on the desktop version, but there is also a mobile app available.
If you want to explore options for adjusting to the new ‘work from home' environment that we're faced with, please get in contact. We can also provide telephone conference calls, and other services if you want a simpler solution to remain in contact.
27 Feb 2020 | Networking, Business
I help run a couple of networking events every week, and get to see who is booked in, or who has expressed an interest on Facebook Event posts.
Obviously I want to help ensure that people get the most out of the events, and so I like to know what they do, where they are based, and whether they are looking for anything in particular. With almost 4000 LinkedIn Connections and all the members of 4Networking across the UK just a few mouse clicks away, it may well be that I can immediately introduce them to people who could benefit them.
There's a few things I look for, and I'd encourage you to make sure you're making the most of these four things in particular. In fact, I'll add a bonus one just in case you have no interest in the ‘the only joined-up business networking organisation'.
1 – 4Networking Profile
If you've been to a 4N event you'll have heard the Group Leader say “make sure you complete your pfofile: Google loves it” – and it really is true. Search for any 4N member by name, and you'll almost always find their 4N profile on the front page of Google. It's partly why we end up with so many spammy entries from people with zero interest in 4Networking, but desperate for some online attention. Ironically, getting involved in 4N properly would get a much much better result for them.
Also, if you attend a meeting there is an attendance list sent out afterwards that shows your profile picture and links to your 4N profile: why wouldn't you want to use that free opportunity?
How not to get attention!
2 – Facebook Profile
Recently we've been creating Facebook Events for some of our networking events in South Essex. I've had several people click ‘going' or ‘interested' who I don't yet know. The first thing I do is to click through to their Facebook profile, yet so many of them don't have their business shown on there.
Lots of people see Facebook as more of a personal/private network – I get it – but it suggests they lack pride in their business, and if that's the case why would I want to use them? You can have your business name shown in the About section whilst still keeping the cat memes and holiday photos private. Be proud of what you do, and let us share in that with you.
3 – Google Local
One of the most common ways that people find local businesses today is to pop a quick search query into their phone. We get calls every week from people tapping in (or saying) ‘computer repair near me' or ‘web design in Thurrock' – it works.
If someone searches for what you do locally, are you ready to get their business or are you leaving your competitors to sweep up?
Computer Repair near me
4 – Website (or Webpage)
Lastly, I'll take a quick look at their website (or webpage) which, ideally, will have been linked to from one or all of the above. Let's be honest here – I'm a nosey bugger…. but I also love to help people, and the more I know about your business, the more I can help you.
Bonus – LinkedIn
OK, so if you don't give a shit about 4N, or you want an extra opportunity, check your LinkedIn profile. Every time someone sees your name on the platform – whether it's your profile, a search query, or a comment you have left one someone else's post, they will also see your headline – that quick, snappy summary of what you do. Make it count.
Need Help?
It just so happens that I can help you make the most of all the above opportunities. Whether you want a hand updating your profile, improving your online presence, or setting up a website (or just a single page if that's all you need or can afford right now) then I'd love to chat with you.
Put it to the test if you want – just search “Steve Westrop” and get in touch, or leave a comment below if you don't want to play.
31 Dec 2019 | Networking, Business
Be In The Room
Sounds so obvious, yet not everyone gets it!
Networking – at it's core – is about relationships. Meet, Like, Know, Trust. It's a journey, as it takes time.
It's quite unusual to walk into a networking event for the first time and walk out with new business from it. It does happen, and it's marvelous to see when it does, but more often it takes time for a trust relationship to form.
So it makes sense then, that for that relationship to form you need to actually be in the room. Consistently. Turning up once a year is unlikely to do much for you or your business. It's likely why some networking groups expect you to be there every time. I don't buy into that philosophy, but I recognise the importance of turning up consistently. Getting known, so people start to like and trust you enough to buy from you and recommend you to others. That's when the magic happens.
Be in the room, whenever you can. It's not always possible to be there every time. Shit happens, and life goes on, but make the effort to be there as much as you can. That consistency WILL pay off. Miss a string of events before that meet-like-know-trust relationship is cemented and it's like landing on a snake in Snakes and Ladders. You have to start again.
It's not just about being in the room physically though. Really be there. Leave your baggage at the door. Put you phone on silent, your laptop away, and show a real genuine interest in the others in the room.
We're curious creatures but, more importantly, we're judgmental. Deny it all you like, but let's be honest here… if someone is tapping away on their phone or laptop while you present your business, will you rush to speak with them? There may be a good reason for it, but we rarely stop to find out. We make a snap judgement and – rightly or wrongly – it sticks. What's more, some people can't help themselves and next thing you know they're telling everyone at the next event they go to how you spent all the time on your phone and didn't listen to a word they said. Don't be that person either please, but do be in the room, listening intently, building relationships so you can build bridges and business.
30 Dec 2019 | Business, Company News, Computer Repair, Web Hosting, WordPress
As we come to a new year, posts are starting to appear online touting a ‘new year, new me'. Resolutions, promises, goals, diets, and all that jazz.
Why should January 1st be any better than any other day to start being the best you?
That's not the point of this post though. It's a not a Victor Meldrew-esque rant, but a reminder of some of the other things you may want to ensure are in good shape for the start of a new decade (though I recognise this is also a topic for debate since, if the first year was 1, then the second decade starting in year 11…. follow the logic and the ‘new decade' starts next year. Procrastinators rejoice! You can be a lazy slob for another year and roll out the new you for the start of the decade in 12 months time – thank me later). I'm not really into the whole new year resolution thing (can you tell?) but maybe if I was, it should be to stay more focussed mid-post. Or even just mid-sentence, or mid- what were we talking about again?
Is your Computer or Laptop 2020-ready?
They get slower with age. Computers that is. As they accumulate all that data and knowledge that you have gleaned over time, things slow down a little. The little man inside your computer says “ah, he likes this website so I'll keep some information on here so he can find it easily next time”, which is all well and good but it happens every time. And then there's the software you no longer use and the bank statement that you downloaded ten times, and the photos you stored in three different places….
You take your car for a service and MOT every year, right? Maybe clear the loft out occasionally (or at least rearrange the Christmas decs when putting them back)? Why not your PC or Laptop? It needs a HealthCheck every so often, removing the rubbish so that there's more space (and hopefully speed) for the things that matter to you.
The other thing about Computers is that they do stop working one day. It's inevitable. The hard drive may stop working, or the memory may fail. Prevention is better than cure, so check our tips of 20 things to get your PC 2020-ready.
Is your Website or Web Presence 2020-ready?
More and more people are looking for a website to validate a businesses before using them. Our most popular web service in 2019 was single-page sites that give an opportunity to show what you do, without the cost of a full-blown website. Many of the businesses had no great desire to build a site, or just couldn't justify the cost at the early stages of the business, but these have been setup to grow with the business, and it's been exciting to see some of these businesses really take off and want to add in more pages and more information.
Several of the sites are automatically pulling in information from other sources to help keep them fresh. So as customers leave reviews on Google or Facebook, or the business owner adds pictures of their latest work on Facebook, that information is automatically added to their site.
We've made some massive improvements to our hosting over the last couple of months: it's ready to grow with your business throughout 2020, and we'd love to be part of your online journey. You can find out about the updates here.
It's not all about websites though. Making sure your business, charity or community group has a strong online presence is increasingly important. There are lots of simple things you can do to help ensure that you can be easily found online. Check out our top 20 tips for a 2020-ready online presence, or schedule a call to discuss options.
Is your Networking 2020-ready?
Do you attend any networking events? Networking can massively help your business, and could be just what you need to make 2020 even more successful. There are lots of different types of networking events out there, and some may suit you more than others. That's OK. We're all different, and all like to do things differently.
This February it will be three years since the Lakeside Lunch networking group launched. I think I've missed three of the fortnightly events in that time, but have made friends, found customers and found other local businesses that I can rely upon. I now help run three different networking events locally (Lakeside, Billericay and Ongar) as part of the UK's only joined-up networking organisation…. which itself celebrates 14 years in February.
There's no 20 tips for 2020 this time. Instead, look out for a new networking tip every fortnight, or get in touch and we'll help you find some local opportunities to talk about your business and grow your network.
29 Dec 2019 | Business, Web Hosting, WordPress
Are you ready to take your business to the next level in 2020 with a strong website or web-presence?
Here's our top 20 tips to do just that, but there are plenty more, so get in contact if you need any help!
- Backup, backup, backup! If you have a website, keep a backup of the files and any associated database.
- Run our Website Audit Report to see if there are things you could do to improve your site – it's free!
- Don't ‘we' all over your site (or profiles) – no one cares about you, so focus on the benefits for them.
- Be consistent – Name, Address and Phone number (NAP) should be the same on every platform you use.
- Ensure your site is using an SSL certificate, and that all links use https:// – this is free with most hosts.
- Check what you are getting/paying your provider. We often rescue people from over-priced bad service.
- If you are using a CMS-powered site (eg WordPress) ensure all code, themes and plugins are updated.
- Deactivate and/or remove any plugins or themes you are no longer using – keep it all clean and simple.
- Update your site's copyright notice if you have one – ©2017 suggests you may no longer be in business!
- If you are using third-party integrations (eg Facebook, Maps) or contact forms, check they are working.
- Ensure your site visitors can contact you easily from any point on your website. Don't hide this away.
- Check that any Domain Names are owned and registered to you or your business, not host or designer.
- Unlucky for some – passwords (again)! Make sure they are secure and consider 2-factor authentication.
- Check who else has access to your website admin area or any online profiles. Do they still need access?
- Is your business on Google Maps? Have you claimed it on Google My Business? Refer back to tip 4 🙂
- Add photos and ‘posts' to your Google My Business listing regularly – show Google that you still exist.
- Check other online directories, especially Bing Places (Microsoft) and Yelp (used by Amazon's Alexa).
- Keep a list of the directories/services you are on and check them regularly. Respond to any reviews.
- Show/link your business name on your Facebook profile – make it easy for us to know what you do.
- Time to spare? Google* yourself or your business and see what's there! (*other searches available)
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