Founded in 2006, Twitter is now neck and neck with Facebook for the most popular social site of 2013. It’s also one of the more complicated social media sites used by businesses today. Whether you’re evaluating if your business should be on Twitter or just want to learn more, here are the details you need to know:
What is Twitter?
Twitter is a powerful microblogging site that allows users to communicate their thoughts in 140 characters or less. Microblogs like Twitter allow users to share short updates publicly or with a group of specific people - and these posts can be read either on a computer or a mobile device like a text message.
Why would businesses use Twitter?
Unlike Pinterest (which we discussed in my last post), Twitter can be powerful for both B2B and B2C companies of all size. Twitter allows businesses to reach their users in a more personal way than simple advertising - and users can actually speak directly with a representative of a business on Twitter without waiting on hold. Twitter customer service is growing as well, with average response times on Twitter sometimes even shorter than waiting for a response through traditional avenues like phone and email.
How can I get started?
2. Set up some apps to help manage Twitter. The company offers desktop applications like TweetDeck to manage your interactions and lists and the Twitter app for your phone so you’re always up to date on the go.
3. Build a profile that’s consistent with your brand. Just as we discussed with Pinterest, make sure your username is the same as your Facebook, Instagram or other social media accounts you have so your business is easy to identify. Upload the same picture and use the same description (or a shortened version if necessary).
4. Learn the lingo. This may be the most difficult aspect of Twitter to understand. What in the world is a DM, hastag or FF? Browse the Twitter glossary to discover what this slang means and much more.
5. Read more about the ins and outs of Twitter. As I mentioned above, Twitter is one of the more difficult platforms to figure out. There are many short handbooks that describe how to best find and gain followers, create lists and more. The Twitter support page describes how to use the platform to the best of your advantage.
6. Cultivate a following that matters. It’s easy to get caught up in simply growing the number of followers you have to increase your overall audience, however, this number doesn’t matter if your following doesn’t care about what you’re saying. Search for your industry experts, friends and even competitors; connect with people who are tweeting content that’s interesting to you. Odds are, if you’re adding value, these people will follow you back and viola! Your following will be of a very high quality.
Although this is a great guide to getting started, there are many more Twitter for business techniques. Leave your comments below and I’ll be sure to include them in my next article - Twitter for Business: Advanced Techniques.
.And as usual, if you’re looking for feedback or have any marketing questions, please feel free to check out my website or email me at jackie@jackiesteinmetz.com.
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