Many businesses are now seeing the potential of social media as a viable marketing platform; it's a two-way conversation between the business and the customer. Yes, many of them seem to be pro’s and know how to use hash tags and fit everything into just 140 characters, but what about the rest of us?

To be completely honest, social media was not my friend or as important to me as it seemed to be for others. I have a Facebook page but to be honest isn’t Facebook only really used for spying on your ex’s and seeing who out of your old school friends has is pregnant?

When starting a job (this job!) which is focused not only on sales but marketing too; I started networking and found that EVERYONE was either ‘tweeting’ or using Linked-In. I finally realised that this is not something to pass-by. These are fantastic tools that can not only aid my current marketing strategy but also help with networking, promotions and generally keeping in touch with clients and prospects alike.

Luckily, Nick (director of workbrands) had a contact who was offering Twitter training. When starting out, I strongly suggest signing up for every type of training available. I also recommend getting back on and updating your Linked-in profile. Twitter is great for ‘social’ media (literally) however, with Linked-in you have the ability to join groups which are specific to you and your target audience. Once a member of a group(s) you can then join in with conversations, start conversations and be seen as an ‘industry expert’ – Great for you and your company.

Anyway, I have come across five key reasons to market using social media platforms such as twitter and linked-in:

You lower your total advertising expenses by exposing your business to large groups of people at a minimal cost.

You attract traffic to your site in addition to what is generated by search engines such as Yahoo and Google. It's a way to point your customer back your site and get them to act.

You engage your customer through real time conversation to find out their feelings toward your brand and your product(s).

You gain valuable insights about your customers, such as who they are and what they look like.

You increase your customer base by connecting with other professionals who can help you spread the word about your business.

The benefits cannot be overstated. Social media offers a powerful way to promote business while engaging your customer. Social media is definitely not just a trend and I’m sure everyone with a business should make it an integral part of their marketing efforts.

After a lifetime of cooking with it, I’ve only just (last week) noticed that the oxo cube is really a fun food font in disguise! Blake Lively and co have xoxo down pat, but look what I’ve got – the new X factor…

South Bristol-based marketing solutions company, Workbrands has won two major contracts with the award-winning housing association, Radian.

Radian offers low-cost housing along with care and support and has a turnover in excess of £100m. The company manages more than 17,000 homes in the south of England, supporting over 300 residents in the care sector. Radian prides itself as a diverse and vibrant social business, with a strong sense of commercial reality.

The housing association was looking for a design and marketing solutions company not only to take on the design, print and production of its quarterly residents’ magazine, but also to bring the magazine online.

The supplier also needed to offer start-to-end production of both printed and online publications as well as offering a workable brand management solution.

Mark Wilkin, Head of Marketing at Radian said: “Workbrands are able to offer us a broad mix of skills and experience which complement those we have in place already. They have been keen to learn and understand the needs of our customers and engaged with us in fresh and flexible ways. We are delighted to be working with them.”

Workbrands already had a relationship with the housing association as it was already printing the residents’ quarterly magazine. This relationship grew after meetings and presentations were held with the Head of Marketing, Public Relations & Marketing Manager and other members of the board as well as residents. During these presentations, the Workbrands team demonstrated extensive experience within the publishing sector as well as showcasing design skills and its brand management products.

Workbrands is now also responsible for Radian’s internal brand management for both internal and external communications by means of digital asset management and web2print technology.

“We have been in talks with Radian since 2010 and I’m so pleased. This is a fantastic win for Workbrands, as not only were we invited to tender, but a great working relationship has already developed between us,” said Kelly Silvester, New Business Manager at Workbrands