Our Social Mum of the Week blog post is back! We’re kicking it off by speaking to mum of two Lindsey who is a member of the Social Mums Members Community. She talks to us about what inspired her to start her business and a great social media tip she has picked up.

Tell us a little bit about yourself and your family?

I’m Lindsey and I live in Sevenoaks with my husband and two young children. I own and run two local businesses from offices in Tunbridge Wells.

What is your business?

I set my first business up ten years ago alongside my mum and sister. Together we run The Bespoke Care Company, where we provide live-in care for older people who wish to remain at home.

In 2017, I founded Close to Hand, an online community match-making service connecting people looking for some help at home and companionship to local people who can provide these services.

What inspired you to start your business?

Having worked in the elderly care market for a decade, I could see there was a real need in our communities for ad hoc, flexible home help that didn’t involve professional care but some companionship and a little helping hand with small jobs around the home (housework, gardening, shopping, going on errands and meal preparation). I was also struck by the high levels of loneliness facing our older communities and felt compelled to bring local people together.

Also, being a mum to two young children, many of my friends were telling me just how hard it was to find local, flexible work that they could fit in around the school run and family life. Close to Hand was a way to meet both these needs. I created an online community that quite simply matches people looking for help to local helpers seeking flexible work that serves a purpose in their local community.

What social media platforms do you use and why?

Facebook is my main social media channel, although that might be because I find it easier to use than the others and therefore have a greater following on this channel compared to others! My target market is quite broad and so I find Facebook the most effective way to reach a greater number of people of varying ages.

I do also use Instagram and Twitter and have recently become active on LinkedIn.

What do you find most challenging about marketing your business on social media?

Close to Hand was originally launched to connect older people with local home helpers, but it has naturally evolved to provide an extra helping hand to people at every stage of their life as and when they need it; following surgery, hospital treatment or a fall, to provide help to those living with a chronic condition and following the birth of a new baby. This means that my target market is varied and so it is often tricky to reach each audience in the right way.

What is the best social media tip you have picked up for your business?

Post regularly and share real stories. People engage so much more with the reviews I share and videos of our members telling their personal stories of the difference a connection has made. Close to Hand allows people to build a network of local contacts; we bring local people together when they need each other and the best way to demonstrate these meaningful connections is for the users themselves to tell the story.

What have you found most useful about being part of the Social Mums Members Community?

The sense of community. No one is competitive, only supportive and any query is answered. There are loads of helpful masterclass videos and content ideas which are really helpful when planning your week/month ahead.

Where can we find you on social media?