In fact, social media such as Twitter, Facebook and LinkedIn can mean that a business can reach world-wide if they feel the need to cast their net that wide. Twitter is perhaps the most active community of other business owners and where many may go searching for information. While Facebook and LinkedIn both are social media sites, they tend to have a different focus (e.g. Facebook tends to be more social while LinkedIn is good for business to business). This leaves many marketing professionals wondering how to Twitter for business purposes.
Effective use of Twitter for business
The first challenge that business owners and marketing specialists will face is how to communicate a message in only 140 characters. This may not be as difficult as it sounds since links back to a business website may be used. The message however, must still be clear enough to interest Twitter users to click on the link for additional information. Catchy tweets may include "special sales", "special offer", "one time offer" or "limited time offer". However, this alone will not generate interest unless the user knows what the product or service is. Therefore any one of these with the name of the product may be more effective.
Using hashtags (#)
Twitter hashtags help provide an index that allows users to search for specific keywords. These keywords should be included in each tweet to allow Twitter users to find a post more easily. For an example, a plumbing company who is tweeting a special offer on bathroom remodeling may use the tweet "special offer on bathroom remodeling at <link included here> #plumbing" to get the attention of other Twitter users. One of the best things about using hashtags effectively is that the search feature will find your tweets when this keyword is searched for, weeks and even months after it is used.
Words of warning
Business owners who are interested in using Twitter for business must make sure that they set up a professional profile. In order to be taken seriously, the Twitter account should include a real name, link to the business website and the company logo or other appropriate image. Those who are using Twitter for business should also use a program that alerts them to direct messages since each one may represent a client or potential client.
Business owners should constantly be on the lookout for potential ways to market their business in new and innovative ways. One of the methods that can be cost effective is Twitter. While there are some pitfalls to using any type of social media (such as spending too much time reviewing messages), those who learn how to Twitter for business may find that their business growth expands with their Twitter network.
