Twitter's popularity has catapulted over the past year or two, with celebrities, radio and TV show hosts using it to increase their following. Businesses too are getting on board, using the Twitter messaging platform as a means of enhancing their online communications.
It is easy to participate on Twitter; you can keep up to date with a person's 'Tweets' by choosing to follow them from within your Twitter account. When you follow someone, every time they post a new message, it will appear on your Twitter home page. This gives you complete control over who you want to follow.
So who is using Twitter and for what purpose?
Twitter is presently free to use and is fast becoming an essential part of many businesses' communications strategy. Charities have successfully embraced Twitter, using it to keep followers updated with events and up-to-the-minute news.
The Red Nose Day charity enjoyed a huge following as a result of active support from participating celebrities tweeting about their involvement. You could even get updates from the Kilimanjaro climb as it happened.
UK companies capitalising on the Twitter platform include Asda, Debenhams, eBay UK, Thomas Cook, Littlewoods, Dixons, O2 and more.
How Businesses are Using Twitter
Twitter is essentially a social networking website that enables people to connect and interact with others who share similar interests. To participate successfully and reap the benefits of a growing network of friends or business prospects:
- Don't be rude
- Don't be boring (especially applicable to Twitter)
- Give before you expect to get
- Be genuine
While participating on Twitter, be aware that like other social networking sites such as YouTube you could waste a lot of time by reading random things about other peoples' lives. The best approach is to establish your objectives first, then adopt a disciplined mindset as you seek out those you wish to follow.
Effective Tweeting for Business
Once you have identified your objectives, Twittering for business can help you accomplish some – or if you are really good – all the following goals:
- Expanding and reinforcing your brand by customising your Twitter home page
- Helping promote your business blog, perhaps by using Twitter to notify followers of new blog posts
- Presenting your expertise (in snippets of 140 characters)
- 'Sharing the love' by citing other websites related to your area of expertise
- Linking to articles (yours and others) of interest
- Making new product announcements
- Researching and seeking feedback from other Tweets
- Offering special deals exclusive to your followers
- Using Twitter search to find any comments about your (or a related) business – with the intention of re-tweeting with helpful comments
- Announce and comment on preparations for special events
The key is to be purposeful, original and consistent. As with any customer engagement initiative, be prepared to commit some time and resources to genuinely participate as part of the Twitter community.
If you would like help planning and implementing a social media marketing strategy for your business please contact us.
