As a small business you might be a one-person show. You may not have had time to figure it out. Or perhaps, you don’t see the benefits. I promise, you don’t have to tweet about the innocuous, but with these 5 key points, I may be able to convince you to use Twitter.
1. You Are A Big Fish In a Small Pond
Facebook appears to be a social media monster that’s hard to compete with. It is an important tool, but thanks to 7 Surprising Statistics about Twitter in America I learned that,
“Twitter users are 3 times more likely to follow brands than Facebook users. [And] Twitter users research and engage with companies. 42% Learn about products and services via Twitter.”
Though there is a considerably smaller percentage of Americans using Twitter than Facebook, the percentage of Americans following brands and looking for thought leaders on Twitter can mean a positive ROI for your brand and company. However, you will want to follow these next 4 steps.
2. Be A Follower First
One of the cardinal rules of Twitter is not to add people hoping that they will follow you. Use your discretion by following people who are in your area of business that you hope to network through. Follow people because you like what they are tweeting, are supportive of their cause, or like their brand. Use the #FollowFriday hashtag to recommend people, or to find others that are thought leaders.
Klout scores measure people’s influence on Twitter. A high score should not be the only reason to follow them. You need to believe that what they are tweeting is helpful, relevant, and applicable to your business needs.
3. Tweet Effectively Not Religiously
The challenges of being “seen” in the newsfeed differ between Facebook and Twitter. With Facebook your page posts can get lost due to lack of engagement or popularity. In Twitter feeds your posts can get lost because you are competing with an incredible amount of “tweet volume.” Therefore, it is critical to know the difference between a good tweet and a lousy tweet. Since Twitter only allows 140 characters per tweet, make each tweet like a headline to grab a scanner’s attention.
<<CAUTION>>
Over-posting content to get your followers attention can actually work as a deterrent. The best rule of thumb for an important post is to give all your followers the chance to view it by re-posting 2-3 times in a day to reach all time zones.
4. Expand Your Brand
Twitter is a place to make connections and network by being personal. If you’re not a celebrity, you have time to do this. Tweet in a manner that will help you develop relationships with your followers. In social media, don’t hide behind professionalism. Now is the time to unleash your personality. Also, set goals for your interactions. @AskAaronLee always encourages users to make at least 5 meaningful connections every day (something I have been putting to good use).
Be sure to use good social media etiquette. Give shout-outs and send thank-yous as a direct message or @tag to your new followers. Use this method for re-tweets (RTs) and @mentions as well. However, be cautious about overwhelming your Twitter feed with thanks. Here are 7 Ways to Thank Someone from Jay Baer.
Create lists to show that you value other business perspectives, opinions, and insights. These lists can be public or private. The advantage of making a public list is that your followers can go to your account and see whom you rank as a thought leader or expert. All of these methods will expand your brand in the Twitterverse.
5. Tweet Chat: So Good It Feels Like Cheating
Tweet chat is where live streams of conversation take place using #hashtags. Hashtags (#) keep the threads of conversations grouped together. There are two great things about Tweet chat: Instant Connections, and Better Exposure.
With Tweet Chat you are able to participate in a live conversation, give your personal insights and re-tweet others. It’s the perfect way to begin to build relationships on Twitter while learning about great content. Tweet chats also allow for more and better exposure of your brand on Twitter through @mentions and RTs. As you chat with participants, information about your blog, your website, Facebook page, etc. gets exposure across the Twitterverse.
I like Tweet Chat because I can put all of the main points in this blog to good use. I can practice effective tweeting in a conversational manner. I can make five or more meaningful connections. I can grow my network by adding followers, and find people to follow that will enrich my network.
Twitter is the perfect mash-up of business and networking. You don’t need to be an expert; you just need to get started. You now have the means to make an impact with just 140 characters. How can you make it a useful tool for your business?
