Using Twitter for Business – Getting Started

twitter for businessMore and more people are using social media networks to promote their business, find customers and network with others. However, these networks need to be used in the right way so as to present a professional image of your business and brand.

If you are not familiar with using Twitter for business, the following are some guidelines which will help you get started.

1. Do your homework

Before using Twitter as part of your marketing strategy, carry out some research to find out how other business owners are using the network and what is working for them. You should also identify any gaps that you can take advantage of. Observing how others are using Twitter can give you ideas about how to reach your audience, interact with them and establish connections. You can begin your research by visiting Twellow to see profiles of different Twitter users.

Besides observing others, you also need to have to be conversant with how Twitter works. Twitter offers a great ‘Twitter for Business’ guide for beginners.

2. Establish a plan

Once you have established how Twitter can be used for business, you can then incorporate these strategies into your marketing plan. The marketing plan should outline specific steps you will take, including:

  • What kind of information will you share?
  • How frequently will you post?
  • How will you increase your following?
  • How frequently will you manage your account?
  • What third-party services are you intending to use?

3. Fill out your profile

As you spend more time on Twitter, look at people’s profiles to find out what their bio says, how their avatar appears and what domain name they have added to their profile. Before you begin interacting with or following anyone on Twitter, you need to ensure that all the major parts of your profile have been completed. When people have sufficient details about you, they are able to make a decision on whether or not to follow you.

4. Learn to converse

Don’t get caught up in the rush to follow, or get as many people as possible following you. This will only end up generating a lot of noise and confusion. Instead, take time to converse with a few industry colleagues and potential customers who share your interests. Such conversations will enable you to build strong relationships.

5. Monitor your results

As you use Twitter for business, you need to monitor your results occasionally. This can be done in different ways, including using a link shortener such as Bitly, checking inbound links on your blog or site, or using a social media dashboard such as Hootsuite.

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