The social networking website Twitter continues to grow in popularity amongst British web users, recently becoming the 38th most visited website in the UK. Twitter is a free-to-use micro blogging platform allowing users to correspond (or 'tweet') with each other in 140 characters or less.

Estimated at having more than 10 million users, Twitter is currently growing faster than any other networking site. As a result, businesses are getting on board as a means of extending their reach and participating in the 'online conversation'. So what are some of the best ways to use Twitter for business?

Tweeting for Business the Right Way
The ability to communicate in real time with your followers is one of the main attractions of participating in the micro blogging arena. Add to this the ease of making updates of only 140 characters or less – and the ability to do so via a mobile device – and you can see why Twitter's popularity is growing so quickly.

These same benefits also apply to businesses. At present, Twitter is free to use for companies. But users are not easily fooled. Participating with no other reason than to make sales will soon leave you 'friendless'. To help you succeed on Twitter, consider the following 20 Twitter tips for business.

1. Begin with a strategy; otherwise, you may quickly find it a fruitless (and time-consuming) exercise
2. Update your personal profile, incorporating your business colours and 'visual personality'
3. Add a picture profile
4. Include a 'Follow us on Twitter' link on your own website
5. Include a 'Follow us on Twitter' link in your email newsletters
6. Update your Bio information to give a little background, including a link to your website
7. Keep your strategy in mind as you tweet: stay on song
8. Use the Twitter search tools to find your target market
9. Search for Tweets related to your industry and participate in the conversations
10. Use ReTweets (RT) and replies (@...) when commenting on related Tweets
11. Keep an eye on trending topics
12. Ask for help from other Twitter users – it's a great way to engage people
13. Use links in your Tweets to others sources, including (but not exclusive to) your website
14. Recommend other Twitterers; it's a genuine act that is often reciprocated
15. Be yourself. Don't be afraid to share your personality – it's a part of being genuine
16. Ask questions and conduct polls
17. Give advice or assistance where applicable; this helps position you as an expert
18. Keep an eye on your Direct Messages (DM) and take time to respond to the genuine ones
19. Try not to use automated software. Think quality before quantity
20. Add yourself to the We Follow Twitter directory.

Other social networking sites such as FriendFeed and Facebook provide micro blogging tools as well, and it is possible to link your accounts with each application in order to update them all from one interface. Be selective, though. Don't spread your resources too thinly.

While Twitter is fast becoming one of the biggest players in the social media arena, it shouldn't be adopted as your only marketing activity. Instead, use it to complement your other marketing channels. If you would like help improving your social media strategy, contact us.