Advice on use of Twitter for your business

Communicating in 140 characters, to many who do not use Twitter, is quite a limited and foreign concept, but it does offer a very unique way to communicate with both your existing customers and potential new ones, as well as you finding out what your competition is doing. The world of Twitter is becoming more and more important for businesses especially those run by young people.

1. Be active. Twitter can be a fantastic asset provided you are an active participant. It is essential that you give your followers a reason to check your feed every day and see what has developed for your business.

2. Incorporate #’s into your tweets. Hash-tags can be used as something in common for your business and your audience to re-tweet and keep the conversation going. The more people who use the tags in their tweets and re-tweets, the more it trends and by extension, the more people see it. You can also use a currently trending hash-tag to insert yourself into the conversation, provided it is smartly done and relevant to your business, people will respond. This is fantastic for getting your name and brand out there.

3. Use visual media. Pictures and videos increase the response rate and the likelihood of your tweet getting a response via a reply, re-tweet, favourite or all of the above. Some kind of imagery is far more likely to not only catch the eye of a twitter user, but also gain their attention enough for them to actually read what you are tweeting.

4. Seek out similar accounts to your own. By following Twitter accounts that are run by other people in your industry and those of your clients, will create additional awareness for your own account if they already have an established following of people with shared interests. By extension, if any of these people decide to support you by re-tweeting your tweets they are seen by everyone that follows them.

5. Brand your account. Use your company logo as your profile picture; customise your background and theme to further advertise your brand. You should also include a small bio about your company and link to the website in your profile.

6. Increase cross-traffic. Place a link to your twitter account on your website, blog, other online sites and even your email signature to you get as much visibility for it in as many places as you can. Do not be frightened to direct tweet someone after all you never know – you might get business from it, the more people that see it the better.

7. Give people a reason to follow you. Twitter exclusive promotions will make all your existing followers happy to be following you in the first place, and providing the promotion is relevant to other people they know, they will advertise the promotion for you via re-tweets, telling them they should follow you to take advantage of it.

8. Have a Follow Friday at least once a month. The #FF is a great way for you to not only promote those that you work with but also follow yourself this can not only gain you new followers it can get you further noticed in Thank You’s and re-tweets

Twitter can be a very powerful tool for any business, provided it is used correctly. Keep your account active and interact with people as much as you can to not only increase the visibility of what your are doing and what you have to offer, but also the business' reputation as a company that interacts with people, this makes you human

Hull Youth Enterprise Awards 2015

Thanks to support from The John Cracknell Youth Enterprise Bank and Hull City Council this year, we are able to organise awards to recognise the enterprise activity that takes place in Hull alongside the award for Hull’s Young Entrepreneur Year 2015.

The Awards will be for:

1 Most enterprising school in Hull 2015 

2 The business that has done the most to promote an enterprise culture in the City 2015

3 The Sheila Waudby Young Entrepreneur of the Year 2015 

4 Most Enterprising Teacher 2015
5 Most Enterprising Student Award 2015
6 Best Newcomer School to Enterprise Education

Special Awards

John Cracknell Youth Enterprise Award
Lee Creamer Youth Enterprise Leadership Award
Jack Brignall Youth Enterprise Award

The deadline for the completed full entry forms will be 1st October 2015, although we are encouraging early nominations, and judging will be completed by 10th October 2015. The shortlisted candidates will be invited to receive their award at the Celebration Event we hold in Global Entrepreneurship Week which will be held at the Guildhall on Friday 20th November.

Councillor Rosie Nicola, Portfolio Holder for Learning and Skills, said:

"I look forward to welcoming the nominations for these awards from across the city as we look to develop Hull's entrepreneurial culture amongst our young people.

"The Council in partnership with the Youth Enterprise Bank is committed to supporting our enterprising young people and we are more than aware that the young people of this city are our future, and we want them to move forward in life equipped with the right skills to build successful careers."

Nick Sangwin, MD of the Sangwin Group, added:

"It was a great honour last year to be announced as the recipient of the Lee Creamer Youth Enterprise Leadership Award and I am pleased that this year the awards will go ahead thanks to the support of sponsors.

"There is no doubt that Hull as a city has real commitment through the Youth Enterprise Partnership to develop the enterprising skills of young people. With the right support and encouragement Hull's young people are truly enterprising, and whilst not all will pursue an entrepreneurial career in the future, the majority of them will most certainly use their skills to help impact their outlook on life and in the workplace."

Last year Katie Norman of Lab Rascals was honoured with The Sheila Waudby Young Entrepreneur of the Year Award and thoroughly enjoyed the experience, she said:

"For two years my science party and science workshop business has had support from the Hull Youth Enterprise Partnership and its many partners. I am very proud to be associated with them, especially during Global Entrepreneurship Week and as a member of the John Cracknell Youth Enterprise Bank management committee.

"I was really pleased to accept the title of Young Entrepreneur Year 2014 from the inspirational entrepreneur Claire Young and Karl Turner MP and I look forward to helping identify the winner this year to represent Hull."

Nomination forms are available from charles.cracknell@hullcc.gov.uk or by calling 01482 613 489

Call to business community to support Global Entrepreneurship Week 2015

Dear Friends

I  would like to bring to the attention of the business community the next celebration of entrepreneurship in the area following the highly successful Business Week, Global Entrepreneurship Week. I hope that you will consider getting involved in this week that will take place from the 16th – 20th November in order to support a celebration of enterprise for Hull schools and colleges, that will feature young entrepreneurs from Hull along with Claire Young, DJ Ben Rainey, Andy Pickles of U-explore and Lebo Molefe from The Hook up Dinner in South Africa.

Enterprise is a vital contributor to the health of our economy and to diversity of opportunity within our society. That is why I support your ambition to make your area the best place in the world to start and grow a business. As part of your ambition, I know the Humber is seeking to achieve a change in the perception of enterprise and entrepreneurship amongst its young people, ensuring that they have the information they need is an important tool in realising that change. During the week I am looking forward to working with young people aged 6 to 24 and their teachers and tutors as well as judging the Badgers Sett Enterprise Challenge that helps identify future entrepreneurs. In the three years that it has been running we have given over £15,000 to young entrepreneurs in real cash as well as mentoring and general support. Whilst I maybe from Wolverhampton and not Hull, I feel at home in a City that does so much to support its enterprising young people.

I am an ardent supporter of your work, in particular during Global Entrepreneurship Week,

which aims to create a more enterprising culture amongst young people. My hope is that today's young people go on to aspire to set up their own businesses, start social enterprises to improve their communities and be innovative employees themselves. Your area is doing a great deal to support their enterprising young person which makes me proud to be associated with the City. If you want to know more about the week please consider sponsoring or supporting the week and following it on Twitter @GEW2015 as it’s only with your support that we can ensure that your city’s young people become the enterprising employees and entrepreneurs of the future. So why not join KC, Hull Training, Rollits, RB, University of Hull, Hull College, Hull and Humber Chamber of Commerce, the Sangwin Group and Hull City Council in supporting this great culture of enterprise in your city.

If you want to see what happens during the week then please check out our website www.gewhull.co.uk that features last years events and what we hope to do this year and then contact Charles Cracknell via 613489  or charles.cracknell@hullcc.gov.uk to discuss how you can get involved in this festival of enterprise.

Ruth Badger

Patron Hull Youth Enterprise Partnership

New Enterprise Trail Game - Digital Version

In 2014 pupils from three schools ( Gillshill Primary School, Sirius Academy and Malet Lambert) working with four young entrepreneurs from Engaging Education and some Hull young entrepreneurs who had received support from The John Cracknell Youth Enterprise Bank produced a board game "Hull Enterprise Trail" which showed the organisations in the city that currently supports enterprising young people.

After presenting the game to Lord Young and HRH The Duke of York in June 2015 it was decided to look at creating a digital version of the game, so in October 2015 when HRH The Duke of York visited Hull we organised a workshop to create a digital version of the game, after some initial designs the John Cracknell Youth Enterprise Bank commissioned Kit Hargreaves of Apple Pear to develop a web based game including video to illustrate the Big 13 Enterprise Skills, the Be Enterprising Group, The Youth Enterprise Summit and Global Entrepreneurship Week.

The initial prototype design was launched in June 2015 http://hullsenterprisingtrail.co.uk designed by young people. The prototype was consulted upon via Twitter and Face book as well as with members of Hull Youth Enterprise Partnership and the Be a Enterprising Group, during the consultation we was pleased that Julia Damassa actress and former winner on BBC Dragons Den in 2010 when she gained £25,000 investment in her business Story shapes Ltd www.bbc.co.uk/dragonsden/entrepreneurs/juliadamassa.shtml kindly agreed to do a voice over for the game and with further changes it was agreed the new version will be launched in September 2015

Charles Cracknell Youth Enterprise Manager Hull City Council said

“The enterprise trail game has been a great collaborative project between pupils, young entrepreneurs and wider business and enterprise educators across the UK and we are delighted to

have secured the services of Julia Damassa to undertake the voice over for the game"

“The idea of turning the board game into a digital version came from HRH The Duke of York and we are now just a few months from launching the game for pupils in all of our schools to have access to it"

                                                     

Julia Damassa said

“I am delighted to support this great initiative as a way of explaining to the young people in Hull what organisations are out there to support them with their enterprising idea and the videos of young people explaining about the Big 13 Enterprise Skills is a great idea – the whole concept designed with pupils and young entrepreneurs clearly shows to me how enterprising young people are in Hull.”

SUPPORTING THE NEXT GENERATION OF YOUNG ENTREPRENEURS.

Having supported many 100's of young people to date, the John Cracknell Youth Enterprise Bank is looking to grow and support even more young people. Offering more than just financial support, this initiative also offers practical advice to help get business ideas off the ground across Hull and the East Riding.

The John Cracknell Youth Enterprise Bank, with its management group, has over the years continued to be supported by young entrepreneurs, Hull City Council and local businesses and for the last three years has received significant support from KC (£60,000). As the entrepreneurial spirit increases in the area, and they urge more businesses and people to support tomorrow’s employers, they are now proud to introduce their new bondholder investment scheme.

Maureen Foers OBE, Chair of the John Cracknell Youth Enterprise Bank, comments:

“We wanted to find a way that we can continue to support even more local entrepreneurs. The new patronage scheme is a great way to do this, and at the same time we are able to offer thanks to those who are kind enough to support us. We are already receiving interest from local businesses wanting to support others, which is fantastic, and we hope by raising awareness we will get even more support going forward.”

The bondholder scheme is about offering financial support to budding young entrepreneurs, with three options available ranging from £250 to £1000, as well as in-kind support. The support generated from the scheme will support local young entrepreneurs and those that support the initiative will be recognised through various levels of publicity, demonstrating their commitment to young entrepreneurship and the local economy.

Thomas Arran, of TArran Photography is one of many young entrepreneurs who has benefitted from financial support of the John Cracknell Youth Enterprise Bank and has now gone on to set up

another business:

"My enterprising journey began whilst studying for a BTEC Diploma in Photography. My first projects were small weddings and eventually led to work with Hull FC and Hull City Council. Following further enquiries, it soon became apparent that I could take my passion of photography and run it as a business. I received support from the Net 315 Enterprise Gateway, the HYEP and the John Cracknell Youth Enterprise Bank, where I received £800 to cover my start-up costs. I have now set up a second business - My Fun Booth, offering a customisable photo booth service at weddings, corporate events and marketing campaigns."

Another young entrepreneur who has been identified from financial support from John Cracknell

Youth Enterprise Bank as well as winning the Badgers Sett Enterprise Challenge is Louise Upfold of Weasie Wears 

"My enterprising journey began whilst studying my degree at Hull College in Fashion and Design. I had a number of clients interested in my products but had never considered setting up in business until I saw what support was on offer from the John Cracknell Youth Enterprise Bank. I was given a grant of £900 for a new sewing machine as well as 1-1 advice from one of their business mentors, I went on to win the Badgers Sett Enterprise Challenge and gained even further investment into my business of designing and producing customised clothing as well as ongoing mentoring support from Ruth Badger which will start next month. I hope that more members of the business community in Hull and East Riding will support the city's youth enterprise bank in order that they can help more young entrepreneurs like me."

The youngest recipient of financial support from the John Cracknell Youth Enterprise Bank is 12 year old Millie Notarantonio of Millie Rose, a personalised gifts and novelties company.

Millie "Since I was given a grant from the John Cracknell Youth Enterprise Bank for a new heat press in 2014, I have gone on to redesign my products and created the Millie Rose range. In October last year I had the opportunity of meeting Prince Andrew and talked to him about my business and what I wanted to do in the future, I would recommend any young person still at school that has a business idea to get in touch with the JCYEB for advice and support"

Claire Young is a former star of the BBC’s ‘The Apprentice’, and has already committed to being a Patron, said:

"Hull is doing a great deal to support its enterprising young people, especially those aged 21 and under, and for me is setting the benchmark for other cities to follow! I've seen the city support its wonderful young entrepreneurs and encourage start up businesses, which as we know are very much needed to drive our way out of economic tough times. As an entrepreneur I know how important it is to be listened to and given a fair chance to demonstrate what we can do. The Youth Enterprise Bank provides this opportunity and I hope you will consider giving it your support. With your help the Youth Enterprise Bank can support the entrepreneurs of the future within your community!"

Further Information

1) The John Cracknell Youth Enterprise Bank was established in 2003 and it has supported over 350 enterprising young people in Hull and the East Riding.

2) It has established a dedicated website for the new bondholders, designed and hosted by young entrepreneur Kit Hargreaves of Apple Pear http://www.jcyeb-bondholders.co.uk/

3) In 2014 it was awarded the NatWest Special Merit Award for championing enterprise at the GB Entrepreneurs Awards

4) The management group consists of educationalists, local businesses and young entrepreneurs (who have previously received support from JCYEB) who also act as mentors and are part of a support network.

5) The JCYEB also contributes to the youth enterprise Eco System in the area by sponsoring Global Entrepreneurship Week, the Badgers Sett Enterprise Challenge, the £5 Blossom Programme as well as the Be Enterprise Group of teachers and tutors.

6) Key Facts about John Cracknell Youth Enterprise Bank

• Established in 2003

• Age range 13 to 21 year olds

• Grants of up to £1000

• Hull & East Riding young people can apply

• 326 young people have received a grant

• £650 average grant

• 40% of recipients from East Hull

• 35% of recipients from West Hull

• 20% of recipients from North Hull

• 5% of recipients from East Riding

• 25% of recipients are aged 13-16 yrs

• 25% of recipients are aged 16-18 yrs

• 50% of recipients are aged 18-21 yrs

7) Types of businesses supported

Sea Food processing business

Website developers

Photographers

Beauticians

Gardeners

Hairdressers

Cycle repairs

Stationery Printers

Chocolate maker

Bespoke tailoring

Hair dressers

Online music lessons

Dress makers

Paint & Decorator

Up-cycled clothing

Hand made mascots

Jewellery Maker

Personalised Mugs & Tees

Digital games business

Top 6 tips for young entrepreneurs by Richard Branson.

The Virgin Founder recently answered a reader’s question by listing six things that every fledgling entrepreneur should bear in mind when starting up…


"Ultimately, there’s only one way to start your career, and that’s by starting a business. If you find yourself hesitating, remember my motto: Screw it, just do it," explained Richard Branson.

Take a read of his six quick tips and let us know which one resonates with you. Or maybe you think he’s missed a trick? In which case let us know your own tip below…



1. Think about what drives you

When you’re considering which idea to turn into a business, think about the subjects and problems that interest you most. Is there an industry you love? A talent you have? A cause that you are 110 per cent behind? Don’t start a business just because you think it’ll turn a profit; if you’re not in love with the idea, you won’t move mountains to make it happen.



2. Start at your doorstep

Now that you have decided on the area you’d like to focus on, look around yourself. What is the market missing that it desperately needs? Which services do you and your friends use that are lackluster and could be hugely improved? Think about how your business could help your street, your neighbourhood and your city. From there, you might someday expand to bigger markets.



3. Shake things up

As you design your product or service, remember your resolve to serve the public; business is about improving other people’s lives. Hopefully, once you’ve done that, more money comes in than goes out.

From Virgin Records and Virgin Atlantic to Virgin Money and Virgin Active, our team has always launched businesses out of a genuine desire to disrupt the status quo and improve things for customers.



4. Listen to advice, not to naysayers

When you’re just starting out, you should ask those with experience in your field for advice, especially your parents. But be careful not to confuse discouraging comments for good advice. Lots of people will tell you that your idea won’t work, or that it has been done before. When I started out, I lost count of the people who told me that I wouldn’t succeed.

Image from Virgin.com



5. Stay focused - and motivated

You need to dream big and have lofty goals - but in your first year, concentrate on establishing your business and surviving. Keep your eyes on the prize and on day-to-day operations, setting small targets for each day, then each week, each month, each quarter and each year. Write them down and then tick them off. You will be amazed at how much satisfaction you get from this.



6. Love what you do

Whatever you’re doing in business, it should be fun. That has always been a priority at Virgin, and it’s a vital component of our success. I love what we do, our employees love what we do, and so our customers love what we do, too.

Top Tips and Advice

For over 10 years I have worked both within and outside my job developing programmes and projects to support enterprising young people in the city, bringing partners to Hull such as Rotherham Ready, the London Youth Support Trust and the Duke of York's iDEA Award. The three highlights of my career was establishing the John Cracknel Youth Enterprise Bank in 2004 which has supported over 350 young people with a grant to support their enterprising idea and establishing our national reputation as a city that promotes an enterprise culture through our involvement in Global Entrepreneurship Week and the establishment of the country's first youth enterprise partnership.


During this time I have come across many top tips for entrepreneurs to take notice of well, now I have decided to publish my own top10 tips for enterprising young people.

1. Take risks.

One of the most exciting parts of being an entrepreneur is the thrill and exhilaration you get from seeing if something works. I have always taken risks in my working life, one of the biggest was establishing the youth enterprise bank as I had no idea that it would capture the imagination of so many people who were keen to support our enterprising young people and I am now really pleased that we have launched our new bondholders scheme whereby local businesses can support young entrepreneurs in Hull and the East Riding.

2. Network up.

Networking up can afford you mentorship opportunities, help strengthen your network (obviously) and help you learn from people who have the success you desire. This is one of the reasons why Hull has a young entrepreneurs network called Let's Talk Business and there is a Woman's Enterprise in the Humber. Your peer group is going to be with you forever. Meet them, learn from them, network with them, as said in No 5 look for relevant networking groups check out these websites and choose which is most suitable for you

You’re going to always have more knowledge and experience than others. Even if you’ve only been an entrepreneur for one month, there’s an entrepreneur out there that’s only been an entrepreneur for one day.

3. Be open to advice.

Listening to the right advice is valuable to your business and your life. At the same take everything with a grain of salt, and learn how to trust your gut – also always work with people you like, this is important. If you don’t like the people you work with, you will never be able to maximize your opportunities and thrive.

4. Disconnect.

It’s easy to lock yourself in a room and work all day and night. Learning to disconnect is just as important as working hard. Your brain needs rest. Disconnecting can give your brain the necessary reset it may need to help solve the problems you're facing that day. This might be the most valuable lesson you learn.

5. Ask for help.

Put the pride aside. This thing called entrepreneurship is much too difficult to do alone. Ask for help. People will respect your willingness to learn and be humble. You’d be surprised what can happen when you ask. If ever in doubt how just asking for help can make a difference ask any young entrepreneur that you may know what they gained from the sentence starting with "excuse me I was wondering could you tell me .........."

6 . Write down what you learn.

Entrepreneurship is about solving problems and learning on the go. It’s exciting to learn new things, and as entrepreneurs we should be learning something new every day. That’s part of the gift of entrepreneurship.

Writing down the things you learn on a daily basis is important too. Some days are harder than others, and having a journal of all of the things you’ve learned will give you strength when you’re feeling weak.

Learning is an asset, and your lessons can help give you reassurance when you feel like giving up. It can be that "money in the bank" when there's actually not any money in the bank, and give you the courage to keep fighting.

7. Use LinkedIn and other forms of social media

LinkedIn is a very effective business tool. You can network with pretty much anyone, read blog posts and show off your accomplishments and expertise on your profile. There is nothing wrong with highlighting your successes and contacting people you think might be able to help you with your business. When using facebook and twitter to promote your business make sure you are not linked to any personal accounts that might put off a potential business opportunity, read up on the rules and regulations on the use of social media and than use what is the best for you. I was always told not to direct tweet someone with information – well if I had not we would not have received the support we have from the local business community.

8. Read everything.

Dedicate time to reading blogs, newspapers, magazines and books. Read stuff related and unrelated to your business and read fiction and non-fiction. I read everything, and it makes me more intelligent, cultured and dare I say more determined to ensure that our young entrepreneurs get the support that they deserve.

9. Get a part-time job.

If you don’t have regular income coming in from your startup yet, get a job, even if you have support or savings. It will help alleviate your monetary stresses, which can create an unhealthy mental state.

You need to be strong as possible to take over the world through business, and the last thing you want to think about is how to pay rent next month. Plus, at your part-time job, you can tell everyone about your new business, and potentially gain users, clients or customers depending on what type of business you’re creating.

10. Don’t ever give up.

If you’re an entrepreneur, be an entrepreneur. Don’t listen to the naysayers. If you fail with one idea, start another. You’re an entrepreneur, no matter what, whether up or down, success or failure, you’re always an entrepreneurs. Remember that. I never forget how in 2011 Manchester City and their fans never gave up in their desire to win the Premier League and no one will ever forget Sergio Augero's last minute goal that saw them win the title.

Bonus: Have fun.

Do what you want, enjoy life, build the business and culture you've always dreamed of. Fun is infectious, and can help attract the right customers, the right team and all of the right opportunities.

I you would like to know more feel free to contact me at charles.cracknell@hullcc.gov.uk if I can be of any help. Also check out www.youthenterprise.co.uk if you are aged 13 to 21 and live in Hull and the East Riding or if your interested in the work of the Hull Youth Enterprise Partnership check our www.youthenterprise.co.uk