The University of the West of Scotland Skillset Media Academy has expertise in the use of social media for learning and teaching, research and b2b activity. Social Media for the South of Scotland is a project delivered in partnership with South of Scotland Business Solutions and its funding partners at the Scottish Funding Council and the European Regional Development Fund to provide knowledge exchange around the thematic area of social media for business.
The main focus of the UWS Social Media project is on:
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Enhancing skills utilisation for businesses already engaged with social media
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The development of an integrated online presence for business networks which already exist but require support to flourish
Dr. David McGillivray (centre) with the team from the Buccleuch Arms Hotel at the recent Social Media surgery in Dumfries
The UWS Digital team visited Dumfries recently for the first round of social media surgeries in the South of Scotland. Hosted by the Aston Hotel on the Crichton campus, they met over 12 businesses to discuss their social media use and engagement online. The surgery format allowed for them to give each business the one-to-one treatment, working out what they needed – rather than the generic social media workshop, delivered without dialogue with the participants. Every business was different – and had very different needs. From Chocolala, a local chocolate maker, looking at way in which to boost online sales through using twitter and facebook – to the Stewarty Link, a local community newsletter, looking at alternatives to print material.