Using Twitter for Business
As we mentioned in the article, Tips to Understanding Social Media Marketing (SMM), the idea of marketing with a social media outlet like facebook is to create a relationship with your audience.
What is Twitter?
In essence, Twitter is like a mini-blogging outlet that requires much less time and commitment as compared to traditional blogging. Twitter allows users to post (or ‘tweet’) 140 character messages that are publicly broadcast to their followers. Click here for or a more detailed explanation of how Twitter works.
Businesses have quickly caught on to this phenomenon as a great way to build relationships with the community, listen to what is being said about their company/industry and offer value to their customers.
Below are some basic steps on how to use Twitter for business:
- Assign a Twitter Manager
Not that it has to be a time intensive job, but if you’re going to have a Twitter account, be consistent with it. This will assure that you maintain your Twitter presence and respond quickly to customers who are communicating to you through your Twitter account.
- Sign up for a Twitter Account
Make sure to fill out your profile as detailed as possible. Always share a link back to your website and your contact information. Also, a customized background image and profile picture are important to make your page memorable.
- Become a Follower
Search out people and companies related to your business/industry and become a follower of their Twitter account. Look at who your competition is following and consider doing the same. You can get a feel for how Twitter is used, join in on conversations and get ideas for what others in the industry are twittering about and what the community is interested in.
- Start Tweeting
Since there are many ways for businesses to use Twitter, you will need to determine what your focus is. Once you have come up with some ideas on what you want to tweet about, go for it!
a. Most tweets link to a webpage that allow for greater detail. Check out these sites that will shorten your URLs: www.tinyurl.com & www.bit.ly.com so that you can easily stay within the 140 character limit.
b. Ideas for good tweets follow the rules of good Facebook posts
c. Check out these case studies to see how other businesses are successfully using Twitter:
i. Best Buy
ii. Tasti D Lite
iii. Teusner Wines
- Retweet
When you see a tweet that you think your audience would appreciate, simply hit the ‘Retweet’ button in the lower right corner of the tweet and it will post to your followers through your account.
- Check Your Mentioning Box
On your home page, click on the @YourCompany (for example, ours is @trulium) link and it will pull up all tweets that have mentioned your company Twitter account name. This is a great way to respond to negative feedback (in a positive way), praise positive feedback and get in on the conversation about your company.
- Check your Direct Messages Box
Make it a habit to check your DM box regularly as it could be a customer trying to contact you.
- Promote Your Twitter Account
Don’t forget about your existing audience- your current customers. Make sure to tell your customers they can find you on Twitter by adding a Twitter logo to your website and/or in-store signage. You might even consider asking your Facebook fans/friends to follow your Twitter account.
- Get Mobile
Download the mobile app for Twitter so that you can tweet anywhere, anytime.
These are just a few tips on how to get started on Twitter. Be patient as your followers grow and pay attention to what your customers are saying. If your followers aren’t responding to your tweets, you may need to rethink your approach.
Remember, social media marketing is all about creating relationships and connecting people and ideas. Make sure your tweets are providing value to your audience because in the end it’s about THEM not YOU!
To become a Twitter follower of Trulium, click here (make sure you're signed in) and then click the "follow" button.
Keep an eye out for our summer 2010 newsletters featuring a Social Media Marketing series offering tips on how to use Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn to benefit your business. Sign up for our newsletter by clicking here and filling out the contact form with "sign me up for your newsletter" in the comments section.
