HOOKING up with Scotland’s national digital training programme has helped a local business to double its social media following and attract more customers in just three months.

Rudi & Co, which was set up by Jules Hanlon Cole in 2007, has seen the popularity of her social media platforms sky-rocket after putting advice from DigitalBoost into practise, with her Instagram account alone attracting 600 new followers.

The Peebles-based company, which specialises in personalised gifts including aprons, laundry bags and cushions, had been looking to improve its digital presence to reduce its reliance on a major online marketplace for sales.

As part of a package of support from Business Gateway Scottish Borders, who deliver DigitalBoost locally on behalf of Digital Scotland, Jules was awarded 21 hours of free one-to-one support from a digital expert.

Jules told us: “I wanted to develop my social media presence to drive more traffic directly to my website and reduce my reliance on sales being generated by a third party.

"Working with a digital expert helped me understand what I could do better – from posting more interesting content to making videos that reinforce the fact my products are artisan and handmade from scratch.

"I’m now more focused, have an 11-page document to keep me on track, and understand the importance of keywords and tags.

"Since May, I’ve seen such an improvement in engagement especially on Instagram with more people coming to my website from that platform.”

Having studied for a creative arts degree, Jules began working with buyers for two top high street retailers before changing career to help young adults with mental health problems enter employment.

After years of using her artistic skills to make gifts for friends and family, and following the birth of her third child, she started selling her products at local craft fairs.

In 2009, she listed her company on Not on the High Street.

And three years later she moved out of her home and into a small industrial unit which she quickly outgrew, having to move into a unit twice the size in 2016.

Jules added: “The benefits of listing with Not on the High Street were almost immediate, as I made the £500 registration fee back in less than a week.

"The site really helped me turn a hobby into a viable business, with orders coming in from all over the world. It was the best thing I ever did.

"Being able to personalise is a huge selling point for Rudi & Co so I invested in a machine to personalise textiles which meant I could fulfil orders quickly.

"I also worked with a branding and marketing expert, paid for by a grant that I’d secured with the help of my Business Gateway adviser.

“Even before staring the company I’d gone to Business Gateway for advice, attending lots of its free workshops, and over the years my adviser has been a brilliant sounding board. I know if I need advice all I have to do is pick up the phone and she’s there to help. It really is an invaluable service. “

Business Gateway believes other local companies could benefit from similar workshops and training.

Annie Watt from Business Gateway Scottish Borders explained: “Many local companies want to improve their digital presence and get a better understanding of how social media platforms can increase productivity and their ability to reach customers they previously couldn’t.

"By engaging with DigitalBoost they are given the skills and knowledge they need to do just that.

"We are delighted that the programme has helped Rudi & Co start to build its online following and generate the engagement it wanted.”

To find out more about Rudi & Co visit www.rudiandco.com.

Find out how Business Gateway Scottish Borders can help your business by calling 01835 818315 or visit www.bgateway.com/scottishborders.