Small Business Marketing on Twitter
Of all the small business marketing options social media creates, Twitter presents the most challenges in determining its use to help your company grow. Luckily, you don’t have to be a computer expert or a marketing guru to infuse Twitter into your overall promotional strategy.
What Is Twitter?
Twitter is a web-based social networking site that can be utilized to send relatively brief messages (140 characters) to acquaintances, family members, friends, or to the overall worldwide Internet community.
Common Uses
There are numerous application options for Twitter, but mainly its uses include, news, resources, and communications. For example, LA Firefighters employ Twitter to keep the community abreast of potential fires and other emergencies. In addition, news agencies provide up-to-the-minute news updates using Twitter, While companies and public services utilize Twitter more and more, most utilize Twitter to keep family and friends updated on their current activities.
Marketing Your Business On Twitter
A Mass Media Outlet
If you run a business, Twitter can be utilized to publish news and updates about your specific products or business. The biggest overall value involves posting a clickable link to a complete article or press release allowing customers to "discover" the material via Twitter. It’s especially popular for B2Bs looking to build brand awareness and relationships. Proper etiquette is essential to effectively market on Twitter. Overt advertising can alienate followers and usually serves to create bad feelings among potential consumers.
An Internet Bulletin Board
An ideal forum to promote sales or special events, Twitter keeps customers updated on specials and new items. When promoting your business on Twitter, keep in mind that it’s designed for conversation and timely news. Make sure that you post in a personal and conversational manner and don’t subject followers to blatant advertising.
Instill personality Into Your Brand
Twitter is a wonderful option for giving your brand name its own unique voice. Successful Twittering reveals your personality and individual flair, creates a considerable difference in your overall success while increasing your Twitter followers. Followers create value when using Twitter as a marketing platform for your small business.
Client Support
When using Twitter, you’ll immediately discover its conversion benefits. Twitter allows you the opportunity to talk to prospects and potential consumers, while also responding to your followers. Demonstrate to your following that you would like to engage with them to create optimum client support and tell them that you are a trustworthy, personable individual.
Jeannine Clontz, IVAA CVA, MVA, EthicsChecked™, owner of Accurate Business Services is a Virtual Assistant (VA). ABS provides ‘as needed’ marketing and social media support, training and consulting to busy entrepreneurs. Clontz is a writer, author, VA Coach, and speaker on business topics including business ethics. For her FREE 10-Step Guide to Finding the Right VA, or herFREE Report, Social Media Marketing Benefits, visit: http://www.accbizsvcs.com. Find out more at www.VAbizcoach.com or her book website http://www.entrepreneurialfreedom.com
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Great blog that you have here love the design and layout.
The quality of your information is second to none.
I will be back again soon
Mark McCulloch
Great post! I tweeted it.
What is your Twitter ID? I’d love to follow you.
Mine is @heidirichards.
Thanks so much,
Heidi Richards Mooney, Author
Thanks, Heidi – mine is @jeannineclontz
I’d like to add that you can build on your Twitter relationships by using the direct message tool. Whenever someone follows me I send a direct message thanking them and letting them know there are even more free business resource on my site.
About 1 out of 10 people I send direct message to, send one back. After you have messaged each other a few times, you can search for that person on Facebok or Linked In and ask to connect there as well.
Thanks, Leah – That’s sort of a given for me…you have to be vigilant in building relationships. Social media is a fabulous tool to do just that. Thanks for sharing!