subject: Twitter - How it Can Spread the Word on Your Small Business [print this page] Twitter - How it Can Spread the Word on Your Small Business
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Twitter is a fast moving, quick talking, information highway. At first glance it seems rather casual and simplistic with only 140 characters allowed per Tweet; a frivolous waste of time with little use for the small business person -I can hear you saying - you've got better things to do. Let me see if I can convince you otherwise. Big business has found Twitter a necessary tool in today's marketing world and hirer people full time to monitor Twitter, Facebook and all the other Social Media. Let's look at how Twitter can spread the word on your small business.
The potential viral nature of Tweets and re-Tweets, when used effectively, can be an easy way to spread the word on your business. As a business, your basic purpose on Twitter is to connect and build relationships with your followers - potential customers. Establishing trusted relationships is a gradual "organic" thing and the rewards will come over time as your list grows and they get to know you and your business.
When you write interesting, engaging Tweets that provide value for your followers, conversations happen. To be engaging, find questions to answer, ask questions to start discussions and seek out follower's comments. Be helpful. Provide information about your services or product that gives immediate solutions to problems Twitter followers may have. For most small businesses it is not a good practice to just promote. Build a community of loyal followers and they will spread the word for you.
Soon you will notice that people are following you because you are interesting and are giving valuable information. As your list of followers grows, you can begin asking for their feedback and suggestions. Take polls by sending them to your website. Offer free items, coupons and tips that keep them coming back. Use links to track which tweets received clicks and which do not so you can refine your approach.
One way to find out what others are saying about your business is to frequently do searches for your name, brand or product type. You can quickly catch the comments written by unhappy customers and respond before it gets out of control. When you find someone with a question, comment, problem or complaint, respond immediately with a DM (direct message). When someone has a problem that your service or product can solve, do an @reply so all your followers see it. This type of response will often be re-tweeted because many are looking for the same solution. Funny and motivational tweets often get re-tweeted as well. Regularly acknowledge and refer to Tweeps who have re-tweeted something you've said or responded to your Tweets. (Follow Friday is a great way to do that - you are recommending others follow this person with a #FF.) Build the relationships as you would if they were right there in your establishment doing business with you.
The magic about Twitter is the word will get out about the assistance you've offered and how helpful you've been. The connections you have will spread to their followers. Conversations with your Tweeps open doors that may lead to improving your product or service and help your business grow. With an established following, you can reward them with special offers, hold contests and extend invitations to visit your website for additional information. You've built solid relationships and connections with your followers. They trust you and spread the word on your business further than you can imagine one tweet at a time.
