Tweet success for matchmaker with celebrity following

Dec 14 2009 by Karen Dent, The Journal

A MATCHMAKER who links up both single people looking for love and businesses looking for people who can work from home is attracting celebrity interest after turning to the world of social media.

Former soldier Louise Northwood, a single mother based in Hexham, has picked up a number of famous fans since joining Twitter in the summer to provide business and personal updates.

Ms Northwood, who runs North East dating company Elegant Introductions and owns a share in national matchmaker Beau and Belles, has also just started the HowNewcastle venture to connect businesses and people who want to work from home.

She now has more than 800 followers on the Twitter micro-blogging website who read her “tweets”, including celebrities Esther Rantzen, TV presenter Jenni Falconer and former England rugby captain Will Carling. She said: “It's amazing how many people I meet for the first time have seen or heard about me through Twitter.

“Occasionally, my Twitter contacts can bring celebrities together unexpectedly, like it did recently when I was able to successfully link BBC Newcastle’s Sue Sweeney with Esther Rantzen to promote Childline.”

She has also received mentions from Radio 2 presenter Chris Evans, entrepreneur Duncan Bannatyne and former Cheers actress Kirstie Alley.

Ms Northwood believes that all small businesses can benefit from Twitter. “This is an excellent way to get yourself and your products and services very well known, very quickly,” she said. “I’ve even been known to matchmaker businesses together on Twitter, such as when I put in touch with each other a company looking to sell bags and a bag-making company.”