To tweet or not to tweet?
The last 6 years has seen an explosion in popularity of online social networking sites. Twitter was set up in 2006 and has become one of the latest tools in social networking. A place to add your short comments known as tweets for others to follow. As you only have 140 characters per tweet, the concept can feel more like texting rather than the longer method of emails or writing blogs!
So how can I use twitter for my business?
Statistics show that the average Twitterer is aged between 20 and 49 and has completed higher or further education. So, it is an ideal place to meet with professionals. Like most networking, Twitter involves time and commitment. There are lots of great ways to use twitter to help your business. I have summarised what I think are the five most important things to consider.
- Be human & interesting! People like to hear the fun things as well as work things! Don’t just push your business constantly as this may turn your followers off and they can decide to not follow you anymore. Think about what tweets interest you.
- Interact. Ask questions and answer questions. Use the @ feature! Within a few minutes you could have the answer to a question or help someone out.
- Re-tweet! RT stands for retweeting and is one of the most powerful Twitter actions. Using Karinthy’s theory of Six degrees of separation, your message could reach anyone in the world in just 6 RTs! So ask to be re-tweeted but also retweet if someone asks. This shows your followers that you are willing to pass on information.
- Tweet on the move. If you can, tweet from your phone. This gives a different feel to your tweets as well as broadening the topics.
- Don’t forget the design! There are a few twitter backgrounds to choose from but why not design or have your twitter page designed? Be different, stand out and continue your brand into the world of twitter!
Useful links:
- Twitter Icons – add links on your website, emails for people to follow you
- Twitter applications – There are a lot of twitter applications out there from applications to upload photos onto twitter (twitpic) to twitter applications to tweet from (tweetdeck).
- Twitter explained
