Pictured above: Matthew Anwyl, left, managing partner of Berrys with Christian Payne at the social media workshop held at Berrys' office at Shrewsbury Business Park

West Midlands property and business specialist Berrys is stepping up its marketing prowess taking on board the latest social media techniques to boost awareness of properties on its books.

Key staff at the firm recently attended a social media workshop held at its Shrewsbury office where leading social technologist Christian Payne explained the role new media such as Twitter, Audioboo, Facebook and Gowalla have to play in modern business.

Matthew Anwyl, Berrys' managing partner, said the workshop was extremely useful and would help future proof the way the business operates.

"We have been given a real insight into ways we can use new media to build sound relationships with our clients, other professionals and the public," Matt said.

"The internet is one of the first places people look for information, particularly property, and we already carry property details and news on our website. By using these special networking sites we will be able to offer a better service to clients and get information out to them much more quickly in the future.

"Although many of our clients will continue to prefer more traditional forms of communication, increasingly the younger generation will use these techniques to help their businesses and obtain the relevant information they need.

"We already have a lot of the information technology infrastructure in place and we hope by making better use of it our clients will see that we are adding a different dimension to the marketing of property and our services."

The way forward, he said, was to embrace the technology and get involved.

Berrys has offices in Shropshire, Cheshire and Northamptonshire.