Twitter is King at the moment when it comes to social media sites.
Here is a reminder of what Twitter is all about...
Twitters purpose is the same as all the other social media sites in that it provides a meeting place where its members gather to share information with each other... all sorts of information from gossip to serious business communication.
Where Twitter is different is that it gives you a way to do all this "immediately". You can update short messages of 140 characters or less to your friends very similar to text messaging.
So how can Twitter help your business?
Just lately business has discovered the potential of Twitter as a tool for marketing products and services directly to new customers.
Twitter can be a handy addition to your online marketing, here are a few pointers for you to get you started if you are new to the concept of twittering (something my partner has been doing for years! )
When you set your account up use your company name. Your profile should have keywords peppered throughout because the search engines love sites such as Twitter and anyone searching and using one of your keywords or phrases has a really good chance of finding you on Twitter.
Remember to keep your tweets (as they are known) focused on your business, obviously make them interesting and fun but keep them in perspective. Don't start talking about last nights poker game for example.
When you write your tweets use your keywords as much as you can, this way people using alerts and searches will be taken to your tweets when searching for similar products and services to yours.
Constantly update your tweets around once or twice an hour, it only takes a few seconds to write and this will keep it all fresh.
You can get widgets for your desktop so you dont need to keep logging in to your account. WordPress for example have a plug in that enable you to tweet directly from you blog sidebar, and there is Twitter fox and Twhirl which act a bit like IM (instant messenger)
Another great little widget is Tweetbeep! Which when installed alerts you when other users are tweeting about key phrases that relate to you and your business. You can then reply directly to them if they are looking for help.
Don't be frightened to promote the fact that you are using Twitter, and do it wherever possible, your social networks such as Facebook and MySpace, your social bookmarking sites such as Digg, Stumble Upon, Technorati... the list is endless. Also promote on your websites, blogs, in your emails. You get the idea.
Creating the right buzz and attracting the right attention is essential for successful marketing with Twitter so its a good idea to have a plan of attack ( for want of a better phrase!) Used correctly Twitter is an excellent marketing tool, give it a try!
In the words of Peter Kay... "It's the future!"
Steve Watson
Online Marketer, WordPress Developer & Technology Coach
http://stevewatsononline.com
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Steve_G_Watson
