Ballymoney Chamber is going on-line

Its new social media strategy is aimed at strengthening communication between town businesses and customers, growing traffic and boosting business. It includes smart apps, competition apps and video promotions.

Announcing the new initiative Chamber President Winnifred Mellett said: “Social media is new and growing and is a influential source in customer purchase decisions. It is transforming the way business is carried out and for small firms knowing how to capitalize on this is critical. The Chamber commenced considering the matter at meetings in the summer. We agreed that we needed a presence in this new media platform to further engage our customers and drive loyality. A few months ago we decided to take the plunge and move beyond traditional marketing.”

The Chamber has retained support from a marketing professional to work with it to develop its on-line presence. A number of town businesses are active on facebook and a pilot project, co-ordinated by the Chamber, will enable them to enhance their presence with an associated video profile. Other members who have signed up to the pilot will be establishing a presence on facebook for the first time. The package includes one to one support for the businesses on the use of visual marketing.

The ultimate aim of the Chamber is to have all its members linked to its new social media marketing platform incorporating all business sectors, retail, hospitality, professional services. Details of town leisure facilities and things to see and do in the town centre will also be included.

The Chamber believes that the new strategy will translate into sales and develop tangible results for businesses. It has plans to launch its first social media app campaign to launch its new on-line presence in the run up to Christmas.