Tips for using Twitter for Business
by Yolandi Janse van Rensburg on 14/01/10 at 11:19 am
6 comments
Twitter is in full swing and yet, there are still companies who do not use it. There are blog posts all over the web indicating how Twitter can add value to your business. This micro-blogging service helps with business development, especially with your prospects being online more and more. Now, Chris Brogan has put together 50 ideas on using Twitter for Business. These ideas are really useful and easy to understand the value of Twitter for business. Here are just a few that I found really useful tips for using Twitter for your business:
- Talk to people about things that interest them. It shows you’re human.
- Talk about non-business too. You can comment on current affairs that interest you or something funny that happened that day.
- Have other people from your company join Twitter as well. It’s nice to have a variety of tweets on and from your company.
- Don’t just tweet random links of your blog posts. Explain what its about or ask a question to provoke curiosity.
- Ask questions. Twitter is great for getting opinions.
- Tweet about other people’s stuff as well. Things you find interesting from the people you follow. It makes people feel like you’re listening to what they’re saying.
- When you talk about your business or product, make sure it’s useful. Give advice, blog posts, pictures, etc.
- Use services like Twitter Search to check what people are saying about you and your company. Try to participate where it makes sense.
- Commenting on others’ tweets, and retweeting what others have posted is a great way to build community. People like to feel they’re part of a two-way conversation.
So, instead of answering the question, “What are you doing?” on Twitter, rather answer the question, “What has your attention at the moment?” This will ensure you tweet about interesting and relevant things your followers will enjoy. The whole point behind using Twitter for business is to increase visibility on the web. Remember to keep the balance between being promotional and being yourself and you’ll quickly realize how easy it is to use Twitter for Business.
Yolandi Janse van Rensburg writes about social media, marketing, life and, of course, cars. We say “of course” because Yolandi is nuts about anything on 4 wheels and runs Autofemme, a blog about cars. Our Ideate sub-editor is also the Heavy Chef girl at World Wide Creative. You can follow her on Twitter @Yolandi_JvR View more articles by Yolandi Janse van Rensburg.
Tags: Twitter, Twitter for Business
Mike Saunders
Jan 14th, 2010
Thanks for this Yolandi!
I have found twitter to be a very valuable tool in creating awareness about my ideas on the internet. The reason is simple. On twitter you can actively build your network of like minded people whereas the internet (search engines) can be more difficult to spread the word. Especially in competitive markets.
IE: Twitter in some cases resembles a database of happy and/or potentially interested people in your product, service or expertise.
Its a wonder why business has not adopted it sooner.
Tyron Bache
Jan 14th, 2010
I believe twitter is about listening and connecting.. that is all.
uberVU - social comments
Jan 14th, 2010
Social comments and analytics for this post…
This post was mentioned on Twitter by ideateblog: Tips for using Twitter for Business http://ff.im/-eimyt...
Neil Pursey
Jan 15th, 2010
A nice read Yolandi!
Twitter is definitely something we can’t ignore. For those businesses wanting additional exposure on the major search engines, twitter will need to be incorporated in their online marketing campaign as well.
An interesting point was brought up by a Google Engineer with regards to real time search and how it is being used by Google. I wrote a short article here about it, http://www.webgrowth.biz/googles-real-time-search-the-next-generation/
Christina
Jan 15th, 2010
Good advice twitter is a great place to communicate.
Liza
Jan 15th, 2010
Twitter incorporated in a tasting event:
http://www.notcot.com/archives/2010/01/the_macallan_-.php