Our Top Ten Twitter Triumphs

We were excited to be invited recently to take part in an event being run by Service Network, a North East network that aims to provide a stimulating environment for businesses in the region's service sector to learn, grow and prosper.

These aims really fit with our own, so we were pleased to take up their offer to speak at an event geared to supporting businesses to develop their digital footprint through using social media.  It was a great event, well attended (probably about 80 businesses there in all), and packed with social media know-how from brand agency Better and Flint Consulting.

So why was Space on Tap asked to speak, you may well ask!  Apparently because we had been recognised as a business that's positively incorporated social media into our marketing strategy.  Or, in other words, they'd noticed that we tweet a canny bit :)  

We were asked to focus our presentation towards how we'd gained profile for Space on Tap, an early stage start up business, through using Twitter.  When we started to pull together the presentation we even surprised ourselves at how much we'd actually achieved, so I thought I might share some of our Twitter successes with you.

OK, so here we go with our Top Ten Twitter Triumphs since we started tweeting in May/June 2010.

Follow us @spaceontap

1. We sent our very first tweet.  That might not sound like a triumph, but I can assure you that those 140 characters were painlessly crafted, changed about 20 times, and when the 'Tweet' button was clicked it felt like we'd arrived!

2.  We stuck with it.  We did get a lot of resistence from people around us in the beginning.  Being just the right side of 50 my peers weren't really social media types!  Understandably they saw the perils of socialising on  facebook more than the opportunities of promoting a business through twitter.  Our triumph is that we ignored the doubters and some of them are now our converts :)  

3.  The numbers.  We know that volume's often seen as vanity, but for us, at least at first, it was a numbers game.  We needed profile and that meant a large community.  As most of our community is in the North East and we connect with many of our followers offline as well as online we think it's now quality as much as quantity.  Anyway for interest's sake here are the numbers.  Over our 2 Twitter accounts @spaceontap and @colleaguesontap we have a total of 3,313 followers, mainly in the North East, we're featured on 85 lists and we've sent a total of 4,938 tweets.

4.  Brand Profile.  Space on Tap is a relatively early stage business, but through Twitter we've managed to secure a profile fairly quickly.  We often meet Twitter followers at exhibitions and events, and after only 6 months in business we were told by a follower that they thought we'd been around for at least a couple of years considering awareness of our brand.

5.  Added value for Customers.  Twitter is now embedded into our service offering - we're in the business of promoting space, so Twitter's added value to our space marketing strategy.

http://bit.ly/SpoTinTheGuardian

6.  Media Coverage.  We've had great media coverage, particularly for our Colleagues on Tap co-working days and our interest in co-working.    The Guardian described Colleagues on Tap as 'an innovative co-working project', and we've achieved significant exposure in column centimetre terms in other national and regional press from The Times to The Journal.  Although we've paid for PR in the past, and probably will in the future, on balance the impact of media finding us free through social media has far outweighed traditional paid-for methods.

7.  Trend awareness - listening.  Through Twitter we've listened, so we're increasingly understanding our marketplace.    As a result we've made changes in the business and those are ongoing.  Our interest and contribution to the co-working scene has been fed by an increased awareness of the co-working trend in the US and Europe through using social media; and our recent introduction of rented/leased space at www.spaceontap.com is as a direct result of joining the conversation on Twitter.

8.  Customer Feedback.  We've had some amazing feedback on Twitter, and as well as providing us a great feel good factor (it's good to know you're getting it right!) it's also given us the energy to keep going when times are tough!  Twitter is one of the most direct routes to listening to your customers and it's great to know that people are so generous with their comments and support for Space on Tap.

9.  Global connections.  Through Twitter and other social media, we've made connections, and had conversations, with people from as far afield as San Diego, Brussels and Prague.  This had fed our interest in bringing an international dimension to our work around co-working and developing support for the home business marketplace, and our decision to license Colleagues on Tap co-working days to help people with or without space, across the globe, to connect with homeworkers through running events through our Colleagues on Tap Associate Scheme.

10.  Adding to the team.  Last, but certainly not least, is what could be classed as our biggest triumph through Twitter.  Within 4 minutes of a tweet last year calling out for someone to help me to grow Space on Tap, I'd found Joanne, our trusty Operations Manager who has been with me ever since.  Twitter created a platform for us to connect, via a mutual follower (and Joanne's friend), and our story was then featured in Woman & Home magazine in a feature article about unique ways of finding a job, so more media profile thanks to Twitter :)

So that's it - our Top Ten Twitter Triumphs, so far ....  Through realising the impact we've had with Twitter,  we're now investing more time in extending our use of social media, and of course we're still learning all the time!

To finish, here's a quick video courtesy of Service Network with 3 top tips on using Twitter from yours truly, and if you want to know more about the who, what, where and how of Twitter from Space on Tap get in touch.

Winning New Business: Developing your Digital Footprint through Social Media

Space on Tap has developed its use of social media since we started the business mid-2010.  Twitter has become our main social media vehicle, and to an extent LinkedIn and YouTube.  We're now developing our presence on Facebook and have 3 Blogs underway talking about space that's available on tap, Colleagues on Tap co-working events and co-working.

We're really delighted to have been asked recently by Service Network to contribute to their forthcoming event 'Winning New Business: Developing your Digital Footprint through Social Media' which is taking place on 13th October at Gateshead College (a venue we're looking forward to experiencing!  We'll be talking through how Space on Tap has tangibly benefited from the adoption of social media within our marketing approach, and some of the lessons we've learned along the way.  


Refer to Space on Tap when you book and the usual price of £45 for non-members will be discounted to only £10!  CLICK HERE TO BOOK

Mark Easby of BETTER will be the main speaker at the event, and we're really looking forward to hearing his expert input into why and how we can continue to improve our Digital Footprint; how to participate, listen, and critically how to measure impact - all great for planning our social media strategy moving forward.



Service Network is also keen to engage other people and businesses in the event who have gained from use of social media, so if you have a Twitter tale or a Facebook fable to tell get in touch with Sarah Thackray at Service Network to reveal all!

Cutting the tape on a new place for co-working and collaboration

Potential co-workers find out about what the Hub has to offer

Newcastle Business Village launched their brand new initiative, the 'Newcastle Business Hub' last week, supported by the Mayor of North Tyneside, Linda Arkley.  A well-attended launch party was also hosted by owners Helen and Mark Reed who, supported by Vicki Stone Marketing, did a great job of showcasing the Hub and what it has to offer.

The launch event also gave Space on Tap the opportunity to talk about the benefits of co-working, both virtually and physically in spaces like the Business Hub.

Getting out of the home office to connect with other people, and just to get a change of scene now and again, can do wonders for you and your business.

Find out more about the benefits of co-working from Space on Tap through a free webinar being hosted by The Mussel Club on 10th June - join us from your desk for 15/20 minutes at 10am.

To pre-register for your free place CLICK HERE

And a big 'shout out' for my co-presenter at the Newcastle Business Hub launch, Wendy Parvin of Conversations with Purpose.  Her infectious enthusiasm and words of wisdom about the importance of business collaboration for any business had the room entertained but also fully engaged.

Having challenged us to think of any aspect of business we do on our own, the audience was stumped - even one guest who suggested that he flew solo when writing training courses soon conceded that his proof-reader was an essential part of the process.  Wendy explained that working freelance, as she does, doesn't mean working alone.  Through collaboration with other freelancers and larger organisations great things can happen, including access to opportunities that would otherwise be beyond your reach and making a much greater impact than one person could manage on their own ('the sum of the parts etc ...').  Wise words indeed.

I've encountered Wendy's energy before, and she never fails to make an impact.  If you need a speaker or someone to support you personally get in touch with Conversations with Purpose - you won't be disappointed.  Wendy is someone who can cut through the smog to get right to the heart of the matter on a whole range of issues, from how to network through to discovering what you're really in business for.

You might, of course, be lucky enough to bump into her at the Newcastle Business Hub some day - she's planning to camp out there occasionally to benefit from the co-working experience herself.

New co-working space opening in Newcastle

The owners of Newcastle Business Village in Benton, the venue for a couple of our Colleagues on Tap co-working days over the past 10 months, has decided to take a great step forward to develop a co-working space in the 'village'.


The Newcastle Business Hub, which officially launches on 18th May, will provide workspace for homeworkers, freelancers, and anyone running or working in a business in the North East.  The Hub will offer  flexible space as and when it’s needed, in a relaxed environment with an emphasis on co-working. There'll be a lounge area that's ideal for meetings, and other facilities will include unlimited tea and coffee, high speed wi-fi, printer/scanner/copier and fax, as well as a choice of private meeting rooms and a friendly staffed reception.

If you're interested in finding out more about co-working or checking out whether the Newcastle Business Hub could be your perfect place to work occasionally you can attend the special launch event free of charge.    


As well as being offered tasty canapes, you might also have the chance to win a free workspace for a year!  Jayne Graham from Space on Tap will be talking at the event about the business benefits of co-working for people who usually work alone or from home, and Wendy Parvin from Conversations with Purpose will talk through the 'how to and why to' of networking.  


CLICK HERE TO BOOK YOUR FREE PLACE

Space on Tap's Culture for Success

We've been getting some great feedback from our customers - businesses that have space (that we're helping people to find through www.spaceontap.com), as well as homeworkers, freelancers and people who are looking for their perfect places across the region.  

Prompted by our customers, Space on Tap recently entered the Culture for Success Awards 2011, and we're delighted that we've now been shortlisted!  We're looking forward to finding out how we've done in the final countdown this Thursday 7th April at a ceremony taking place at Northern Stage in Newcastle.

Here's a quote from Dr Anne Allen, on behalf of Barnard Castle Vision, who was kind enough to support our application with her feedback on the service we've provided to NeST in Barnard Castle. 

The Vision Delivery Team have asked me to convey our thanks for the time you have taken to support the new studios and Digital Hub at NeST. We have been impressed by the Space on Tap service (in particular the website service and your use of social media and e-newsletters) and also by your enthusiasm to understand and support the project. The help you’ve shown [the manager] – in giving her ideas about hosting coworking days and promoting the benefit of networking, laptop clinics etc has gone beyond what we expected.

As you know NeST is one of several ‘Digital City’ satellites. A £6 million new HUB for digital and creative businesses is now under construction at Redcar. Space on Tap is at the forefront of the thinking and promotion of these new ‘work hubs’ – and office services – virtual office, hotdesking, co-working, shared offices and studios. I value your guidance and references to relevant research and case studies for these flexible workspaces for microbusinesses, homeworkers and companies that permit homeshoring.

Many new and young businesses struggle to understand the benefits of working in a shared office

environment. The Colleagues on Tap days are a brilliant introduction to the benefits of co-working and the advantages of having access to a number of workplaces for people who work across the region.

We have examples already at NeST of businesses who are now working together and others that have won new contracts as a result of the hotdesking membership and workshop activities that have been promoted through Space on Tap.

We wish you every success with the venture and look forward to continuing to work with you.

Dr Anne Allen

New Colleagues on Tap co-working Blog launches today

Colleagues on Tap co-working days have officially taken off!  We've now run 7 successful events since Space on Tap's launch at the end of June 2010, with another 5 days already planned by the end of May.   We've already co-worked with some amazing people across the North East region, each working freelance or from home, and all adding something to our co-working experience through sharing their knowledge, expertise and experience.

We've had great feedback on the days, the colleagues, the spaces and, it has to be said, the cupcakes!

So, to add to our co-working community we've now created a new COLLEAGUES ON TAP BLOG for all things co-working, and for those who have already attended one of our Colleagues on Tap days, or plan to soon, we have also formed a LinkedIn Group, 'Colleagues on Tap'.  This Space on Tap Blog will now focus on the amazing and versatile spaces we're discovering across the region. We are also planning to separate our Twitter accounts so we can give proper focus to the co-working information as well as keeping you in touch with all things space through our Space on Tap twitter account.  So you can now follow us on @colleaguesontap as well as @spaceontap.

Our brand new Colleagues on Tap logo!

So, all change for the better!  Oh, and of course we also have a lovely new Colleagues on Tap logo, building on our open door theme we've used in the Space on Tap branding - we hope you like the new look :)

Consider options, share ideas and gain knowledge through co-working

Pop-up office at Newcastle City Library

Another successful Colleagues on Tap co-working day took place at Newcastle City Library on 19th Jan.  Our first since the Christmas break (and snowy December!) we had a small but perfectly formed group of 7 co-workers (2 were unable to attend on the day through illness and are coming along to our next planned event instead).

Our pop up office was located on the 6th (top) floor of the library, with fabulous views across the city on what turned out to be a bright, sunny day.  The library staff were fabulously accommodating with our arrangements, and lunch in the Stewart & Co cafe was tasty.

Co-worker Angela Dawson

As well as the usual 'office banter' and chatting over lunch, we also had the opportunity to exchange ideas as a group on the subject of outsourcing, helped along brilliantly by Angela Dawson, a Virtual Assistant who runs two businesses in the North East including her virtual PA service, Dawson VA Services. 

As well as helping us to understand the mysteries of the VA and how to manage a virtual assistant effectively, the SpoT chat also allowed the group to think more generally about which aspects of their business could be effectively outsourced.  As small business owners we tend to do everything ourselves, struggling on regardless, but Angela helped us to realise that in reality this could actually be working against us (false economy?).  By passing on the management of IT, marketing, finance, admin, whatever, to someone who's dedicated to that activity day in day out, you can then more readily focus on the areas you're great at, and do more of it, rather than getting bogged down in things that not only absorb time but also make you feel pretty rubbish too!

Thought provoking stuff and an interesting discussion from which a whole range of perspectives emerged. Some of the group currently outsource quite readily, others were the beneficiaries of outsourcing decisions (marketing, IT, admin), and one co-worker's thoughts on when to outsource was directly related to their pain threshold, rather than business logic - we've all been there!

The real benefit in co-working occasionally with other small business owners is the opportunity to share thoughts on a whole range of business issues in a way that's pretty difficult to do when you work alone.  Business discussions tend to relate to your customer's business, rather than your own, and it's much more natural for these exchanges to occur during the course of a working 'day at the office' than on a planned basis. Co-working works for businesses who just need to consider options, share ideas and gain knowledge in an informal way, as they would with colleagues in a larger business, and of course a change of scene is great for everybody!

North East co-working calendar Feb to May 2011

Find out more about Colleagues on Tap co-working days here


Co-working calendar (CLICK on each venue for more info)


Wednesday 2^nd February 2011

Springboard Business Centre, Stokesley,nr MIDDLESBROUGH

Thursday 17^th February 2011

Newcastle Business Village, Benton, NORTH TYNESIDE

Tuesday 8^th March 2011

Shepherds Dene, Ridings Mill NORTHUMBERLAND

Thursday 24^th March 2011

The Morritt, Greta Bridge, TEESDALE, NR DARLINGTON

Tuesday 5^th April 2011

Quadrus Centre, Boldon        SOUTH TYNESIDE

Tuesday 10^th May 2011

Tyneside Cinema, NEWCASTLE CITY CENTRE

  

REGISTER FREE FOR ADVANCE NOTICE OF FUTURE DATES at www.spaceontap.com/register