Twitter

[tony84]

Im sure this type of post has been done a million times over so im just looking for some links more than anything, although if someone wants to explain thats great also.

I have always been of the opinion I do not need twitter and that its basically just that status bit of facebook... so a little bit pointless, and I still am.

However, everyone seems to bang on about how it can e good to build up the profile of the business and even generate some work so im happy to give it a try and see how it goes.

So im wondering if there are any guides/tips on how to use it for business in order to make the most of it?

 

[gemma.wilson]

I believe Twitter is a strong platform for many company's to engage with their customers. I often like to refer to it as a customer service department.

As I unfortunately cannot post any links currently, have a search on Google for any tips or business advice. There are many extremely helpful sites out there explaining why Twitter can be useful and how to achieve the most from this sort of social networking.

Twitter also has a business section (again I can't link this, sorry!) but if you Google Twitter Businesses, Twitter offers some great advice and services

 

[fisicx]

As Gemma says Twitter can be good for engaging with current clients but it's not a platform for generating leads. There are exceptions but in general you get a far better ROI from traditional marketing.

Most of the articles on how to use twitter for business are written by SM 'experts'. Read the research carried out by real busiensses and it's a different story.

 

[tony84]

This is my thinking. I cant see how it can help, but I have a friend who is a plumber and by hiring an twitter expert he managed to grow his business quite significantly.

This expert now has a job earning a fortune for a larger company so is not taking on private work any more.

When I look at facebook and see ads, I have never clicked on one so im struggling to see how it works but im sure there are ways.

 

[fisicx]

This is my thinking. I cant see how it can help, but I have a friend who is a plumber and by hiring an twitter expert he managed to grow his business quite significantly.

Very local and very targeted so I can see how this would work. But if your boiler stopped working today would you turn to twitter for help or do a Google search?

 

[tony84]

I agree, I would never use twitter, but im sure there are people who would go on twitter to ask their friends (or followers?) if they know any plumbers, a recommendation is always better than a randomer who could be a cowboy.

 

[fisicx]

And that is exactly how twitter (and other SM platforms) are used. It's not what you say about yourself, it's what other people say about you that brings in the business.

 

[Paul Murray]

Most of the articles on how to use twitter for business are written by SM 'experts'. Read the research carried out by real busiensses and it's a different story.

This is sadly the case with a lot of 'experts' in many fields nowadays, all regurgitating the same strategies and ideas without actually having tried them in the real world. They make a lot of money from it too.

 

[tony84]

I get the impression then that its probably not worth the time?

 

[RealEcon]

Twitter, FB, G+ are good for building reputation and awareness of your business for word of mouth sales. The same as an offline business may have a chatty, friendly employee that everyone in town knows and chooses to do business with because they like and trust the employee.

But mostly its just a way to promote future products/services to people who already know you and trust you.

 

[Laura Cioclea]

Twitter helped us to gain traffic and build brand awareness. When changed our Twitter strategy from broadcasting to having conversations & sharing real tips - not promo - and we had 500% traffic increase. So we had traffic but didn't have customers. That's the point. Now we concentrate on building our email list and use Twitter only to build brand awareness. But it totally depends on the business you have.

 

[tony84]

Do you mind me asking what your business is?

 

[fisicx]

When changed our Twitter strategy from broadcasting to having conversations & sharing real tips - not promo - and we had 500% traffic increase. So we had traffic but didn't have customers.

Which is what anyone who understands marketing will tell you why Twitter is good for tweeting but not good for business. There are exceptions but they are far and few between.

 

[stallfinder]

I think it very much depends on your business. We get a lot of business from it but I also put a lot of time and effort into posting on there, interacting and building relationships. I don't think it works if you just post and run. My tips would be to expect to gradually build up followers, don't follow everyone back unless they're relevant to you or your business, don't beg or demand follows or retweets, always thank people, make use of the search facility and look at other people's follow lists to find relevant accounts to follow.. Also I don't use a lot of automated tweets, messages or followbacks, I do most of it manually.

 

[AnnaDMC]

Twitter- Just like any other social media channel takes time and effort. You need to ensure that you are updating your account and engaging with people on a regular and consistent basis. Use tools such as Followerwonk to help you find people to follow or een unfollow and find the prime time to send out your posts. You can also use tools like Buffer or Hootsuite to schedule posts too.

 

[fisicx]

...and find the prime time to send out your posts.

The only problem with using these tools is everyone else is usung them as well. Which means the life of your tweet reduces even more to the point it gets lost in all the other noise.

 

[tony84]

Ive made a few posts - my only followers are companies who will no doubt want to sell to me and other brokers I know...

Im going to give it a try until January... its the quiet period anyway (supposedly) so its not like I have anything more productive to do. If it does not show any signs of anything in 3 months I will knock it on the head.

 

[neils3]

I do most of it manually.

Personally, I think manual is the best to use Twitter. I just saw a promotion for the unfollow app and whilst I see the benefits of having it, I think I'm just going to be spending time doing things which are more "nice to haves", e.g. seeing who unfollower you recently. I'd rather spend that time getting to know someone.

 

[GoPromotionalUK]

Using Twitter for business is a powerful social media marketing strategy. The best way to find out what Twitter can do for your business is to simply get stuck in! A word to the wise though: make sure you understand Twitter etiquette before you get started, otherwise you risk looking unprofessional and behind the times. Also, a half-hearted approach to Twitter is never going to be effective. Get involved, get interested and enjoy the benefits of using Twitter for business.

 

[HazelC]

Twitter is amazing for businesses and I highly recommend it, have a look on my website blog posts and you will find some tips there for simple ways of using Twitter. The search facility is a great way of finding customers so definitely check that out if you're only going to do one thing that should be it