It’s very easy to jump on the bandwagon with social networks. All the rage. these communications tools can provide a great avenue to reach new customers and contacts. At the same time they can burn masses of time and divert you away from other business development tactics. So what are the obstacles that the uninitiated should try and avoid? Chatting with Chris Bullick of Pull Digital, here are 5 factors to assess if social networking makes real business sense for your organisation.

1. Follow your market: Is your market using social networks? If they don’t then concentrate on the communications channels they are more ‘at home’ with. Whilst there’s a tremendous ‘buzz’ about channels such as facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter and the like, you need to be absolutely sure the people you want to communicate to use them. Research is emerging about the profile of people using this media and their usage patterns. Make sure you check the findings out before you commit lots of time and energy to social networking. ...read this article

September 23rd. Build your own website or blog in Wordpress - 2 PLACES LEFT
British Library. This is a one of a kind workshop for small business owners who want to create a fantastic web presence that you can update yourself. This workshop is also suitable for anyone that wants to create a blog. We will take you through the whole process and no technical skills required! We have opened up a second date on July 15 as there is only 1 place left on June 4. Click here to find out more and book your place

September 30th. Twitter for business: Women Unlimited Meetup MWB Liverpool Street. Following on from our last fantastic meetup with Wendy Tan White and about 30 women business owners, we decided to follow on with a session on how to use Twitter for business. If you've been on any of my social media or blogging workshops, you'll know that this is my favourite marketing tool - but it needs to be used properly. Come along and find out how to make it work for your business and also we'll have some fantastic networking (and it's also Women Unlimited's first birthday!) Click here to book your place now.

October 21st. SEO Worskhop: Getting to the top of Google
British Library. SEO or Search Engine Optimisation is not the dark art that many will try and scare you with. We are offering a 3 hour workshop that will break down all the myths and give you the knowledge and tools to start effectively managing your own content and maximising the effectiveness of your site. Reserve your place now

November 4. Grabbing the Headlines- boost your business through the media London. Location TBC - 1 PLACE LEFT. Diana Soltmann, the CEO of Flagship Consulting is generously offering this workshop to Women Unlimited audience at a HUGELY discounted price. Getting an article or mention in the press is one of the most powerful forms of endorsement you can get as research shows that people tend to believe what they read. Good coverage gives you or your product credibility, gravitas and stature. Best of all editorial coverage is free! Make sure you confirm your place quickly if you want to take advantage of this great opportunity

November 18th. Women Unlimited Extraordinary Entrepreneurs Evening
British Library We've put together an amazing networking event in the Terrace Restaurant at the British Library. On November 18th (Women's Enterprise Day), we are holding an event where you can dine with some of the UK's top female business owners including Rachel Elnaugh, Linda Bennett (LK Bennett), Julie Meyer (the BBC's new dragon) and many more. Sue Stockdale, the author of Secrets of Successful Female Enterpreneurs will also be sharing with us her learning from interviewing the female entpreneurs in her book. Make sure you book quickly if there is a particular entrepreneur that you want to dine with. One of the tables only has 1 place left!

Do you remember what it was like to be a child?  We never knew anything was impossible; there were no limitations in our minds of any kind and we hated being told ‘no’!  If we wanted to do something we did it – even if it got us into big trouble!  Our childhood days may be behind us now, but in order to be a successful entrepreneur, or to even try and get an enterprise off the ground, we need to re-discover the belief we used to have that we can do absolutely anything!  If somewhere along the way you have let go of your dreams because they seemed to be out of your reach, watch this video and be inspired!