How Twitter can Help Your Small Business

Increase your business social marketing reach with Twitter

There are various social marketing tools readily available, each with their own specific perks and benefits. Amongst them is the incredibly popular Twitter network, which is a favorite for businesses of all sizes. For the small business owner, social networks can be an economical and powerful marketing tool, as long as you are able to utilize them effectively. 

Those that follow, share, mention, and re-tweet constantly act as a third-party reference, providing testimonials for your reliability and expertise in your field, functioning as a direct source for word of mouth marketing. 

Perhaps the most beneficial characteristic for businesses is that Twitter is an open network in which anyone can meet anybody else, making it easy to widen your network and make new contacts. But, just because you use Twitter does not necessarily mean that you are using it effectively. There are certain techniques and practices that one must apply to their Twitter experience. 

Using Twitter as a resource

Twitter isn’t just about speaking out; it’s about listening as well. Consider what others are saying- particularly focusing in on your field of expertise. Are there other experts out there that you could network with or follow in order to expand your network? One important thing to remember is that social accounts, especially Twitter, are not there for competition. They are there for networking purposes, specifically so that you can intertwine and discuss with a broader audience. 

Additionally, there is the “favorites” category on your Twitter feed. With all the various feeds and constant updated tweets, old tweets can quickly be forgotten and inevitably disappear into the past. Now consider that the “favorites” actually saves these and accumulates them for future reference whenever. But, it can be utilized in a more influential method. When you get recommendations, positive feedback, or are otherwise held in regard during a discussion, collect them in your “favorites” feed for others to see your third-party references. People like to see what type of feedback their fellow readers are leaving for their future prospects or partners. 

Keep an eye on your @mentions. When others talk about you, it’s important to respond. It helps improve visibility and develop an image of attentiveness that your audience will see.

Being able to research and cover FAQ’s is something that isn’t always done, but should be. It’s a great opportunity to start conversation and express your expertise in your particular business field. You can use Twitter itself as a research source for popular or trending questions and answer them (the use of hashtags and mentions are quite invaluable here to target specific audiences). 

Above all else, you must be able to speak clearly and use your words effectively. Being able to get your audience’s attention is one thing, holding onto it is another. In today’s fast and furious online marketing world, the average attention span is often no more than seven to ten seconds. When constructing your tweets, you must be sure to remain short, concise, clear, and most of all- to deliver to your audience that which interests them; not just what interests you. 

Locally yours

Twitter provides certain apps and tools available for your use, but it is how you use them that will determine how successful your endeavor is.

Utilize hashtags to promote your event, business expertise, and target a specific field. Remember that hashtags will use up some of your character count, so it’s best to limit your tweet’s content to no more than two hashtags at a time. This is ideal for promoting local events, particularly if your local audience has a specific hashtag (city/region/event center/business). 

Mentioning others to improve visibility is another great move. Now, consider that this is a great way to locally boost your awareness. Take for instance the “Follow Fridays” in which it has become popular to recommend specific accounts, followers, and fellow associates. 

Take the time to regularly mention at least one individual a day. This is a great way to initiate conversation, appreciate a new follower, or add personalization to a tweet (such as an answer to a question or responding to a familiar topic). 

When addressing an article, blog, or even a book, be sure that you mention the author (the Twitter account) as well as the article. This helps to improve visibility for you and is more likely to gain a positive response and future feedback (improving your network).

Twitter can be a powerful marketing tool for your small business, as long as you understand how to effectively utilize all of its benefits. You don’t have to tweet more in order to gain visibility. It’s all about how you tweet that will decide how your audience appreciates what you have to say today.

Make Twitter Work Even Harder Bringing Good Word of Mouth

Improve your social marketing and word of mouth with Twitter

Social networks have proven themselves to be a very powerful asset to the business world. Through them, we have the convenience of sharing, discussing, and networking with others who have similar interests. A large majority of small businesses apply these social networks as their primary marketing strategy because they can reach so many people easily and inexpensively. 

Twitter has proven itself as a powerful networking resource that is dependable and extensive in its ability to reach a large audience effectively- as long as you know how to use the tools provided. Like most social networks, Twitter is perfect for utilizing word of mouth marketing. People share with each other, as long as you share with them. This is the primary principle to keep in mind whenever using a social network, because you must first talk to people in order to start a conversation. 

What you say matters

Because twitter has a character limit, there is only so much that can be said at one time. But, you don’t need to say a lot to make a point or start a conversation. In fact, keeping it short and to the point often stimulates the best responses. 

One thing to refrain from is tweeting one part of a statement and completing it in second tweet. If it’s too long to put in a single tweet, find a different way to say it or link back to a reference that will say it for you (other social networks or blogs). Therefore, anyone tweeting must be able to use words effectively. 

Find a different way

New tweets are good to keep fresh material flowing and improve visibility, but it’s important that any one speaking should take the time to talk back to their responses. The more times you tag participants’ names into your conversation, the more visibility you can achieve. Serious Twitter users will regularly check out who and where their names were mentioned on a regular basis, so this is a great way to meet new networks and interact with your audience. 

One technique to apply is the art of asking questions. A short statement would work to start, but finish by questioning the value of the subject at hand, such as how it applies to the reader’s life. This is a very effective way to stimulate a reaction and is applied to various marketing strategies because it tends to create a recall in the mind of the reader. They familiarize with the issue and are apt to respond far more effectively. 

Be a good investigative reporter

A great source of new material is to respond to popular questions- even those not posted directly to Twitter. Consider a FAQ that you seem to encounter or topics that are related to your business, and then offer a solution to them. Highly asked questions are often the prime meat of search results anywhere on the internet. “How to” and “Why is” questions litter the minds of readers and it’s great to bring up in conversation to draw attention. One technique would be to bring up the topic in a question form as well. Then, offer a solution during the conversation when you know you have attention. This will help to demonstrate that you are an expert in your field. 

Twitter is a gateway

Then there are the outside applications that Twitter dawns with appeal. Twitter is a window through which readers can get a taste of material and explore its source. This brings up the importance of titles in your tweet. When tweeting content from one of yours or an outside article or blog, choose select valuable information to share. Quote yourself or share the purpose of the project, rather than simply using the title of the content. The trick is to offer valuable information to the reader; so don’t just list a source and tag it with a link. Give the reader a taste so they will want to search for more. 

Of course, this also brings up the importance of watching where you place your links. The end can sometimes get cut off or hidden on Twitter feeds, meaning you will have to reformat it and tweet again (time). However, this can often become an eyesore on your feeds. You want them right up there in plain view- preferably in the middle or near the beginning where you can explain the relevance. 

Twitter can be a powerful marketing and networking tool for any business, as long as it’s used effectively. Make the most of the space you have and keep your content applicable to your audience in order to generate interest, so that you can develop a quality network in your social outlet. 

Blogs are Effective for Personal Word of Mouth

Personal word of mouth and your blog

Blogs are perhaps one of the leading outlets for business networking strategies. Through this medium, we can talk about our business and how it relates to present trends and your audience’s needs. There is more to a blog than stating the facts though. Remember that facts tell and stories sell. In other words, the content of your blog must appeal to your audience in every way possible. 

Designing an effective blog requires the creator to focus on several important topics. Content must be grammatically correct, organized, and above all, relevant to your purpose. 

You keep saying this word, but I do not think you know what it means…

Clean and neat is the primary technique. As a professional, you must be an exceptional spokesperson, using words effectively and correctly. You need to sound intelligent, but you don’t want to speak over your audience’s head. If they don’t understand what you’re saying, they won’t want to read what you have to say. 

If you are using technical jargon or exotic vocabulary, consider using a few words in a way that would improve your reader’s vocabulary. Then provide the definition and a story of how you did not know what it meant until you looked it up. Be sure that you maintain relevance to your purpose though. You don’t need to go off on a tangent to do this. Keep it purpose directed so that the education is relevant, especially if it is vital to your point. 

Keeping things organized…

As for the structure of the blog, it needs to be well organized. Use bullets and lists when appropriate to make the entire article easily navigable. Separate the structure into distinct sub-headings to avoid confusion, especially if you have several points to make. 

When comparing within the article, balance is often difficult to achieve. Some start with one point, followed by a completely separate analysis that disproves or proves another point. This can be confusing, especially if the reader is only scanning the content for points. Instead, when arguing a case, use your point and counter point as a heading. Then discuss. 

Quality that intrigues holds attention…

One thing in particular is the content of your blog. A good blog affirms your selling point- targeting the audience directly. Content such as stories and related subjects can be included, especially if they are viral, trending, or relatable fad, just as long as you can relate it to your business. Your content must sell your image and intrigue the audience. 

Content that reaches beyond and improves visibility…

An excellent practice is to make links inside of your blog. If you have relatable articles elsewhere, link back to them as a reference within your blog’s content. This is an excellent technique for increasing readers, especially if you post a hot topic. It will help navigate readers to other content you have, including videos, social links, and your website. Using your links as references and using terms such as “this is how I utilize my social networks and it has greatly improved traffic to my primary website” would help expand your content and improve visibility. 

Remember that social links are especially beneficial within a blog because it allows readers to share that information within their own network. Through these tools and techniques, you improve your personal word of mouth marketing strategies and allow your blog to reach a much larger audience through networks where individuals can recommend you to their friends. 

Blogs are designed to generate conversation

One thing to consider is that a blog is originally a statement and a question. You state what you know, but it leaves room for speculation and analysis by readers. They interpret what you have said and enjoy expressing their own related ideas. 

Be sure you keep this fact in mind when generating your content. Ask opinions of your audience. What do they think about the subject? Do they have ideas or techniques to add or discuss? A blog is an opening for discussion- primarily through comments. After you post a blog, don’t leave it alone like a forgotten newspaper article. This is a social outlet and discussion is going to be the next task. 

Blogs are for networking, education, and increasing visibility. Your blog should not only be able to intrigue your present audience, but also draw in new networking members. With quality content, a well-organized delivery, and effective marketing tool usage, you can create a blog that will raise awareness, create conversation, and improve your sales.