subject: Help Power Your Business With Twitter by:Andy Scherer [print this page] Since 2006, Twitter has evolved into one of the most well known websites throughout the world, and is now a necessity in corporate society. Twitter is as much a social network as it is an information sharing platform. It enables you, as the business owner to communicate with potential or current clients, receive real time market updates and news, and receive customer feedback. And, the beauty of a Twitter account is that it is free!However, the key question that we need to look at isWhat about Twitter can help power your small business? Here are a 3 great tips for establishing a powerful presence on Twitter and consequently helping fuel your business.
Getting Started - Put Your Ear To The Ground
The best way to get started is to put your ear to the ground and listen to the current conversations within the Twitter community about your field. This will allow you to get a feel for what the community is thinking and feeling about topics that relate to your field. Some tweets you find in your searches may directly or indirectly relate to your field which will allow you to provide useful, professional, and quality information. This will also be the beginning to gaining a social network sphere of influence (Twitter followers) outside of your current clientele.
Close The Communication Gap
Twitter allows you to significantly minimize the communication gap between you and your clientele by providing the opportunity for your customers to have direct access to real time information and happenings on you or your employees. Along with this, you will have the ability to market your company via Twitter-specific promotions. For example, if you run a real estate office, your first 100 followers could receive a complimentary buyers guide to real estate.
Promote Your Twitter Presence
The bottom line is that you have to promote your online presence at Twitter. Let people know that you are now tweeting, and tell them how you can be found. Include Twitter in your signatures, your voice messages, and business cards. A great way to let people know that you are on Twitter is to link your current social networking efforts (blogs, Facebook pages, and website pages). While on Twitter, you can follow other relevant companies and retweet their relevant content that does not compete with your company. This allows you to post quality information for your audience while establishing a stronger relationship with the other company.
Twitter can truly be a great source of revenue for small businesses, but the only way that you can capitalize on the current popularity of the microblogging world is to get started! First, listen to the current community conversations and provide related quality content to help the current community. Second, close the communication gap by allowing your Twitter followers unique access to your company. Third (and finally), promote your online presence through your current marketing methods. Remember, Twitter can significantly help power your business with just a few minutes each day.
About the author
Andy Scherer is a featured author and internet expert for Impact Branding & Design.
