Business leaders have come together thanks to a recent event run by Bath College to share their ideas on how they can reach a wider audience through online marketing.
More than 20 company representatives shared good practice at the latest breakfast business event organised by the college.
The networking event saw business leaders from across Bath and North East Somerset learning how to make the most of online marketing.
Engineering, computing, tourism and service industry businesses were represented at the event at Newton Farm Café in Newton St Loe.
Guest speaker Kate Doodson from Cosmic Ethical IT talked about the latest trends, while several businesses shared their own experiences of using websites, social media and videos.
The event was organised as part of a European project called Connect-VET, which aims to develop innovations in the vocational education and training sector.
The on-going project hopes to improve the connections between employers and students during their studies and increase their readiness for entrepreneurship.
Project leader Rosaleen Courtney, who is based at Bath College’s Somer Valley Campus, said: “Our guest speaker, Kate Doodson, used everyday language to give practical tips on how to select and apply latest developments.
“By the end of the event, people were buzzing with bright ideas.”
Celia Gay, who runs the Newton Farm shop and café, explained how the business used its website and social media, including Facebook, Twitter and Instagram, for marketing purposes.
Celia said: “We recently produced a video of the farm to show the range of products and facilities we offer as we see video as an increasingly important way to attract customers.”
Mike Owen and Grant McMinn, students at Bath Spa University, also explained how they had helped to develop branding, video and a website for Bath City Community Sports Foundation as part of their course.
Further discussion followed on how the University and Bath College can help local businesses through work placements and apprenticeships.
The importance of superfast broadband and business clusters was also discussed with Chris Head, Director of the West of England Rural Network and local businessman, David Bland providing information on progress in the area.
Bath College, formerly Norton Radstock College, has been working alongside the West of England Rural Network, the Local Enterprise Partnership and Bath Spa University on the Connect-VET project for almost two years.
The group shares good practice with partners across seven different countries, including Finland, Italy, Spain and Estonia.
