November 8, 2009
let’s talk about Twitter
I have social media on my mind right now, particularly the connection between social media and small businesses. My favorite social media tool is Twitter, because it encourages brevity AND conversation, which is hard to find in one package. But there’s an art to using Twitter well, especially if you’re tweeting as the voice of a business or brand.
Before you jump into Twitter — or any other type of social media — take some time to get to know the conventions and technology. Conveying a clear, engaging message in 140 characters takes practice, but if you do it right, you can turn virtual followers into real life customers.
Here are five simple tips for making Twitter work for your business.
1. Develop a distinct voice; be upbeat and positive and authoritative. You’re the expert, and Twitter is an opportunity to share your expertise. Talk to your followers the way you would talk to a customer face-to-face — be polite and pleasant and informative.
2. Offer your followers something they can’t get anywhere else. Not necessarily contests, although those are great, but your goal is to create repeat customers, not to give away your inventory. Think about what else you can offer your followers — tips, trends, special promotions.
3. Engage in conversation. Twitter’s @ replies let you see who’s talking about you — and your business. Engage with those people; thank them for compliments, address complaints. Engaging with customers on Twitter creates a sense of investment and community that is hard to come by in a traditional business transaction.
4. Use hash tags to locate your business in a larger conversation. When your business participates in a local event (#FirstNight), or when you are tweeting some larger discussion (#fashionweek), the hast tag shows followers that you’re part of that event or conversation. But use them judiciously — if you’re tagging every single tweet, you’re not really talking to your followers.
5. Use proper grammar and spelling. If every tweet is a string of text message speak (R u eating out 2 nite?) then you need to try harder. It’s entirely possible to write clear, coherent updates in 140 characters or less without sounding like a teenager. Practice — eventually you’ll get the hang of it. Promise.
Are you living in Oklahoma and using Twitter? Then you need to be following KeepItLocalOK for updates on what’s hot and cool at home. And if you’re looking for more strategies for using social media for your small — or not so small — business, sign up for a Hands On Small Business session (Monday from 6:00 - 8:00 and Saturday from 10:00 to noon, both at The Full Circle Bookstore) or register for the IABC-OK professional development workshop (Thursday from 9:00 - 1:00 at the Moore Norman Technology Center).
Posted by Susan @ 10:09 pm • other places
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November 9th, 2009 at 3:03 am, Twitter Trackbacks for Friday Playdate » let’s talk about Twitter [fridayplaydate.com] on Topsy.com Says:
[…] Friday Playdate » let’s talk about Twitter fridayplaydate.com/lets-talk-about-twitter/?utm_source=twitterfeed – view page – cached I have social media on my mind right now, particularly the connection between social media and small businesses. My favorite social media tool is Twitter, because it encourages brevity AND… Read moreI have social media on my mind right now, particularly the connection between social media and small businesses. My favorite social media tool is Twitter, because it encourages brevity AND conversation, which is hard to find in one package. But there’s an art to using Twitter well, especially if you’re tweeting as the voice of a business or brand. Read less […]
November 9th, 2009 at 9:30 am, Pam Says:
I have nothing to add to the Twitter thread bc I don’t have anything going on in my life that anyone wants to hear about (but I like to read your tweets! keep ‘em coming!) — BUT — I wanted to say that I am visiting OK this weekend for the first time and I am beyond excited! Sooners vs Texas A & M game, then Arkansas on Sunday, too!
November 9th, 2009 at 9:31 am, Pam Says:
(sorry - previous post had bad email address.)
November 9th, 2009 at 11:03 am, The Coffee Lady Says:
I love the way these things are getting easier to integrate; so you don’t have to update your blog AND your tweets AND your facebook, you can just set it up to share it all automatically. Far less time spent at work rewriting things - far more time to chat!
December 14th, 2009 at 5:13 pm, Friday Playdate » Hands on Small Business Says:
[…] in Oklahoma City that could do more with social media, or do social media better, just by making a few small adjustments. I’m hopeful that we’ll be able to do this again, and that more of you will come out […]