Social media bonus for business awards finalists

Maria Coupe, of Shout Network, which provides business networking across the North West, said the finalists of this year’s Be Inspired Business Awards, The BIBAs, had used its recent judging rounds to support their business using their own social media channels.

She called on the finalists in the awards’ 18 categories to use the build-up to the ceremony to continue to promote themselves.

Shout Network is the social media partner of the BIBAs which will announce the winners of its awards at a ceremony at The Blackpool Tower on September 14.

Maria Coupe added: “Social media is no longer something which people use to simply exchange holiday snaps, it is a place where people turn when they are looking for products and services and that provides a huge opportunity for businesses.

“The BIBAs are a hallmark of quality for businesses in Lancashire and they provide an opportunity to tell customers about the great things which the people who work in these businesses are doing to make them so great.

“This type of third party endorsement cannot be underestimated when convincing customers to look at your business over your competitors, so the finalists of all the awards should use their success to their advantage in every way, including social media.”

Alongside the winners of its 18 prize categories, the BIBAs, will hand out a lifetime achievement prize, the Lancastrian of the Year.

In 2017, this was won by Simon Rigby, the entrepreneur whose businesses include the Guild Hall complex in Preston which has undergone a revival under his ownership.

The winner will be selected from a panel assembled by the awards' organisers, the North & Western Lancashire Chamber of Commerce, of the top prize's former winners.