How to USE Twitter?

[david_123]

i many times heard about the use of twitter in seo, but this useful i could not understand can you help me in this regard

 

[edman]

i many times heard about the use of twitter in seo, but this useful i could not understand can you help me in this regard

The best way to understand twitter is to experience it.

Just join, and look for like minded people/services and begin to follow them most of then will follow you right back

If you have a Blog or a website that you update occasionally you can find plugins that allow you to automatically post your comments on twitter when you update your website

You can also do the updating yourself

Where the seo comes in is that you have external website that pull updates from twitter and these sites run independently, so when you
someone searches for a topic containing the subject you posted, your site will show up on the search engines.

So when you make posts on twitter, you may want to post updates about specific products or services using keywords that people will use to find you

There are many other way this is just one tip for you

 

[Kieron]

Twitter is a great tool, but do not spam the search engines by trying to use it for SEO purposes.

There is a good article in the Guardian today that talks about how Twitter results are already starting to clog up the search engine results pages. Before too long I can see a time when Google starts to filter out Twitter results, so don't waste your time trying to game it now for a short term win.

 

[edman]

You're right there, however till that happens, it's never to late to begin and shouldn't be a case to never try it because there is a speculation that the results wouldn't show up on the internet in the near future.

When updating on twitter, your twitter can just be an announcement about your product, maybe thats what you like to update, maybe you don't want to spend hours telling people what you do every minute. If your search comes up in the google and you have proper content that's a plus.

Truth is that there are many ways David can benefit from twitter, for one I see it in your signature, may be a good tip for David.

 

[SocialMediaUncovered]

I would agree with Edman - and make the most of now - you never know what is around the corner...

Especially with googles latest technology - the way social media will integrate into our everyday web useage in the future - some very exciting new technology on the horizon google/facebook/myspace all working on integration techniques.

This will make search a whole new experience - and this will probably come around quicker than twitter coming off search engines.

 

[ccjo]

I use Twitter because it's quick, fun& can't do me any harm as long I remain informative & professional.

I see it as more of a marketing tool rather than for SEO & have seen an increase in site hits as a result. Has it increased my sales? Suspect not but I have definitely built links & added to my business network by using it.



Jo

 

[Gillie]

I see twitter as another useful tool in the marketing and relationship mix. I also use it to keep in touch with various and find it useful to keep up to date with at the moment reports etc.

To use it just for seo means you will not get the full use of this tool, so join, and chat and post the occassional link to something your followers will find of interest and form relationships with them!

 

[AndyBlack]

I've never got round to looking at Twitter yet. I might join shortly. A lot of people seem to be talking about it at the minute.

Do many of you get any business from it?

 

[tracy_tcd]

This is an interesting discussion. I might have to make more use of my account!
Like anywhere else on the web, surely you have to make sure that the content is WORTH reading? There's the tough bit.

Tracy

 

[SocialMediaUncovered]

This is an interesting discussion. I might have to make more use of my account!
Like anywhere else on the web, surely you have to make sure that the content is WORTH reading? There's the tough bit.

Tracy

Not as tough as you may think. People will follow you if they find your tweets interesting, informative or can learn something from you.

If you are on twitter to write things like 'making a coffee', 'ok now drinking the coffee' etc etc - you're going to still get people following you (believe it or not!) but are they people that you want following you? - no, of course not. You want people to be pleased to follow you - so the simple solution is to give them what they want.

Think about your perfect customer, and what they would like from you. Free products (of course) or Free Information (definately).

I write blogs, post on twitter and am visable on line in as many social media spaces as possible, giving away information for free. How-To guides, social media marketing advice, industry information, etc etc - people follow me that are in the industry, and prospective clients - some follow that just want to learn about social media marketing.

If you are in business - you have something interesting to say.

Challenges you face, client stories, good news, press releases, product launches, new ideas, even things like sounding out ideas (like a forum) can all be done here. - And no matter how much you think 'no one will be interested in my postings' you'll soon find that new customers are coming to you from twitter, and it has'nt cost you a penny of advertising.

 

[An Oasis]

i many times heard about the use of twitter in seo, but this useful i could not understand can you help me in this regard

Use in SEO? Nil and I'd put money on it... Although, if you want to tw*tter away and get 10,000 follows, the links may be of use but you'd need to ask an expert at that point - I'm just someone who thinks it's a completely stupid fade and can't wait for the whole thing to DIE.

 

[tracy_tcd]

Jason,

Thanks for the informative reply, its got me thinking. I'll be reading your blog and others to pick up more tips!

Tracy

 

[rebemor]

Is it twitter used as a social network to do marketing?, I really don’t know how does it work. Can you give a hand with that please. Or is it used as a way to get the keywords to make SEO.

 

[francie]

I've just check how twitter works, actually I didn't know it. It seems to be a good tool on marketing but it is not that easy to know how to manage it. Some examples in a particular business?

 

[DuaneJackson]

I twitter (tweet?)

I get to banter with competitiors, speak to customers, connect with journos.

Works a treat for me.

 

[Mark Nagurski]

I twitter (tweet?)

I get to banter with competitiors, speak to customers, connect with journos.

Works a treat for me.

I think that's the trick - you don't use it as advertising.

Use it to network, find interesting new people (who may well be able to help your business) and keep up to date with what people are talking about / reading / thinking.

 

[Brightenup]

We get asked so many questions about Twitter we've put together this little article to help, heres a quick snippet...


Of course you know what Twitter is, right? Simply put, it’s a social networking thingy that lets people join in an omnipresent conversation about whatever is happening at any given moment. A bit like, Instant Messenger, kind of like a Blog and something like Facebook. However it’s all conducted within 140 characters or less, from just about any device these days, be that the latest iphone or a crappy desktop computer, Twitter has become the cool “must do” trend in mircrocontent.


Here at Brightenup we really love Twitter, we’re Tweeple (People that Twitter are Tweeple not twits) and have been Twittering our daily goings on for well over a year. And whilst we’re not the earliest of adopters, we’ve seen Twitter evolve from simply a ‘back channel’ between us media types into something approaching a main stream communication channel. Recently we’ve been reading with interesting how people are trying to jump on the run away Twitter bandwagon, however how many of them actually do ‘get it’? There are some terrible articles out there on the interweb about how Twitter could be the answer to all problems and might even reduce global warming. Trust us that is all a load of crap.


It’s really simple. You see Twitter cultivates transparency. We all Tweet about all sorts of stuff, normal stuff, stuff like taking the nippers to school or the fact we have a bit of a hangover. More and more Tweeps are Tweeting their locations as they take holidays with special commands to plot their location on maps. However, and this is the important bit, these same people are then recommending brands or discussing them in their next Tweet. Twitter is a noisy channel filled with every type of discussion, business and personal and that’s the joy of Twitter, its authentic.
So how does Twitter work for marketers? Well, we often say to our clients that their brand does not actually belong to them any longer, your customer adopted your brand a while ago, they’re recommending you or perhaps damning your brand as we speak. Perhaps you should have a chat with them? Of course, this does grab attention, we all want to chat to customers after all, but like all conversations there is an etiquette, there is of course a language to speak and no one wants to look like a **** on Twitter.


Tweeple fall into two camps. There are responders, who use Twitter to interact with other users, and broadcasters, who use it primarily as a microblogging platform. Now these groups don’t necessarily see eye-to-eye. Responders will tell you that broadcasters are self-important and egotistical who believe that they are too good for the community. Broadcasters want responders would take their crap chitchat to a chat room and leave them in peace. Everyone agrees that the other doesn’t understand Twitter. So if you’re a broadcaster, responder, or new to it all, if you’d simply like to be a better Twitter citizen, here’s out Twiptop Guide to successful Twittering:
1. Remember everyone can hear you

Rule one is rudimentary, but Twitter is a public medium. At some point even your Mum might read it, to say nothing of your customers or your spouse.
2. Create a user-friendly Twitter ID

Your Twitter ID is your online branding. Your first choice for a Twitter ID should be your name if it’s personal, if it’s business… you guess it make it the company name.
3. I’m not stalking you - honest

It’s very normal in Twitter culture to “follow” people you’ve never met. In fact, it’s encouraged. Think of it as a blind date, who knows where it will end up!
4. Learn the lingo

As with all good stuff there’s a learning curve. Twitter has a quirky lingo all its own. If you don’t understand then ask, Tweeple are really nice.
5. Add your Twitter ID to your signatures

Pimp your Twitter name (and not just on Twitter). As social networks go main stream, you’ll be connected effortlessly to new users.
6. 140 characters or less

Twitter is used for messages that stay within its 140-character limit. Don’t just continue your spiel into another Tweet. Stop, users will have to scroll back and track your name through other posts and it’s really annoying.
7. Do… Reach out and say something

No one likes what I call a ‘virtual voyeur’. We’re all in this together and something as simple as a ‘good morning’ often leads to a response.
8. Plug lightly and carefully

Lots of people ignore this guideline. Hopefully you won’t be that stupid. Twitter is not for shouting about your brand, service or product. Twitter is for an conversation about all sorts of things and sometimes your brand, service or product.
9. Breath between Tweets

Twieeting 45+ times an hour will force other people’s messages off followers’ homepages, and sends mobile devises into twit-fits.
10. Rude in life is rude on Twitter

When you’re being mean, rude or nasty, eventually people work out you’re a chump. Expect some crap to come back your way.
11. Watch your ratio

If only a three people follow you, but you follow a few thousand people will think you are a filthy spammer. That’s because you probably are, go away
12. Think twice before twittering

One drunk tweet can be amusing. Be we all know that one leads to another, and another and pretty soon the whole world knows your plastered.
13. Its good to share

Twitter is like karma. The more good stuff you put out there the more you receive. When you find others with great information, don’t be shy in sharing with your community.
14. Go and find out who some of the big Tweeple are

Its not a popularity contest and it’s your choice on whether or not to follow these ‘top tweeple,’ but they do tend to share a lot of great information.
15 . Search and be found

Here are a few of our favourite tools:
• Twitter Serach This is the only search function actually hosted by Twitter. It’s extremely easy to use and offers comprehensive results.
• Twellow An application similar to Twitter search except that you can search by categories which makes results more relevant.
• TwitDir Offers a search function and breaks Twitter users into categories like the top 100 people followed and top 100 updaters.
• Twitpic Lets you share your pictures via Twitter with all your Tweeps.
• Tweetdeck When you become a power twitter this is the best tool out there.


For more Twitter related help, marketing advice and splendid creative find us at all the w's .brightenup .me See you there

 

[Call Tracker]

I use it for networking and getting quick news updates from our sector. There is a tendency to think you have to adopt every social networking phenomenon but you should only do so if it benefits you and your clients.

 

[directmarketingadvice]

As Gillie, Duane and Mark said, it's a good way to connect with people and get to know them better.

For example, a couple of days ago, I gave a referral to one of the people on my "follow" list. A prospect came my way and I thought this person would be better placed to help him.

And, part of that was based on what the person had been twittering about.

Steve

 

[Brightenup]

Twitter and other 'social media' activities are best combined in to one activity and to be honest work better as a collective effort. For example Twitter, drives traffic to your blog entry through a tiny URL. Twitter can also update your face book status. Through Wordpress your blog also updates your facebook. I guess what I'm saying is that Twitter is the thread that can link and drive your social media activity and is thus More than get to know you tool. There's the obvious benefit of Google ranking too i.e. another slot on the landing page that will drive traffic back to your main site...

Also events like Twestival have provided fantastic networking opportunities that have actually generated new business...

Follow us twitter/brightenup
www(dot)brightenup(dot)me

 

[MISI_UK]

I find with twitter you need to spend some time talking about non marketing things, just idle chat and add a bit of marketing into it other wise people get fed up and will stop following you.

Also make your tweets a bit mysterious then they are more likely to click on the link.

Twitter works pretty well for me at the moment, I try and get a few tweets in a day .

 

[stallfinder]

I've made loads of useful contacts on Twitter and got quite a few new advertisers through it so it's working for me. I think the trick is not to just automatically follow everyone that follows you or it's impossible to keep up. If you read their profiles you can usually work out if they're interesting and not just constantly posting links to their own site. It can be quite good fun too and useful if you want a quick answer on something.

 

[georgelane]

Well, its nice Twitter is going a bit mainstream and being discussed on the UKBF!

Here’s my 50,000ft view of Twitter. I’m keeping it general and not necessarily business orientated because to "get" the business side of it, you need to appreciate the phenomena as a whole IMHO.

The 140 character tweet may be seen as the closest thing we have as an expression of a single unit of thought (this may have been verified somewhere important – can’t think of where).

This is important when you realise Twitter is growing by around 5,000 to 10,000 new users per day… with each user expressing multiple units of thought, which is building an ever changing, ever evolving matrix of human thoughts.

The power of micro-blogging (I believe twitter is just the first incarnation of this phenomena) is the ability to search this “matrix of thoughts” in real-time and connect* with people whose thoughts are in congruence with your thoughts (or business intentions).

*When I say connect, I mean “have-a-conversation-with”, not “spam-the-hell-out-of-them”.

I guess it’s rather like over hearing someone talking about a problem you know you can help solve, then humbly offering them a hand... But on a much larger scale.

(A bit like the local plumber in the pub overhearing a person talking about the problems they’re having with their boiler and asking them what noises its making etc. You get the idea )

And that, I believe, is how you can use Twitter. Not only to further your business, but to connect with like minded people in general.

I won’t go any more specific than this because the principles can sometimes get lost in the details… and everybody has there own way of doing things anyway.

Cheers,


George

PS: As far as business effectiveness goes, a couple of exchanges last year led to a £15k deal. Not bad for a few tweets…