The advantages of using social networks for improving business contacts were explained at an event organised by Yorkshire Bank in Nottingham.

The increasing popularity of LinkedIn was the subject of a talk by Freeserve co-founder Rob Wilmot at Yorkshire Bank's Financial Solutions Centre in Castle Meadow Road.

Rob, of Nottingham-based digital, creative and PR company BCS, discussed the networking benefits of joining the world's largest professional network as well as using LinkedIn to exchange ideas, obtain advice and explore business opportunities with business contacts.

Robin Kirkwood, business banking partner at Yorkshire Bank's FSC in Nottingham, said the evening had been such a success that similar events were being planned for the future across the East Midlands.

"The advantages of becoming part of this growing business network were explained to the group and it was really interesting," he said.

"Not only did Rob's talk captivate the audience but it provoked some really interesting discussions afterwards.

"The importance of face-to-face contact is still really important but there are also many benefits to social media. 

"It is a quick and easy way to connect with the business community and we plan to hold a similar event to this at our Leicester FSC as well as arrange another session regarding other types of social media in Nottingham because we were delighted with the response to our LinkedIn event."