My Tips for Twitter

I have been using Twitter for the past three months and found it to be quite a useful tool for business. I’ve gotten new business, received new information, received “free stuff” and basically formed good online relationships with people, as well as generated traffic to my blogs and website.

What is Twitter? Twitter is an online instant messaging/mini-blog tool. It is flexible in that it can be accessed via mobile phone, Blackberry or on the web.

Although I’m not a super experienced Twitterer, I’d like to share my personal top ten tips for using Twitter to promote your business:

At the end of this post, I’ve included a download for a free e-book about promoting yourself on Twitter. Happy Reading!

1. Keep your focus on business: I don’t use Twitter to get into political or religious debates. I do not respond to nasty political/religious comments, nor do I feel I have to defend a candidate for whom I may be voting. I am not on Twitter to advance my personal political or religious views, so I do not bother with debates – political/religious debates tend to get very personal and out of control quickly.

2. Look for Common Interests: If another parent tweets about playing Candy Land or Chutes and Ladders, I feel free to share my experiences with them. Part of getting people to buy your product or service is helping them to get to know you as a person. If they feel you know you and trust you, it is likely they will either purchase from you or take your advice.

3. Be helpful: Be helpful to others who might need help either using Twitter or with something with which you may have experience. For example, there are a few writers on Twitter who ask others to read and/or comment on their articles or blog posts. Or, someone may need help either with their website or with using WordPress. Being helpful never hurts, but be careful not to just give away all your knowledge. (Note: if you’ve been helped by someone on Twitter, be sure to send an acknowledgment. If you don’t say thank you, you most likely won’t get helped again.)

4. Tweet while you sleep: Use a tool like “tweetlater” to keep your presence felt on Twitter, even when you’re offline. You can set up your tweets in advance, up to a certain maximum per hour (any more and you’d be spamming), and keep your customers/colleagues/friends abreast of your blog posts, your favorite quotations, or any specials you’re running.

5. Respond to others: Twitter IS a social media tool, so be social. Don’t join Twitter just to tweet about your blogs, your products, your services. Seek out quality people to follow (use search.twitter.com) and join in the conversation. You could learn a lot as well as cultivate potential clients/customers. No one likes a person who is carrying on a one-way conversation with themselves.

6. Ask questions: You’ll get answers. Have a need for a new plug-in for WordPress? Tweet it! Like Michael Buble and just wondering who else does? Tweet it! Need a site that gives good direction for feng-shui for the home? Tweet it! You’d be surprised at how many people are willing to help you answer those pressing questions. (Be sure to say thank you, too!)

7. Tweet on the regular: I tweet on a regular basis, even if it’s just to pop in to say good morning to my followers and those online at that time. I never really thought much about it, but when I did not tweet for an entire day, I got messages asking where I was. I was both surprised and pleased that my “tweeples” actually missed me. To me, that indicates that I’m doing just the right amount of tweeting.

8. High Tweet Value: Look, you’re a person, so it’s fine to tweet – ‘going to the store, tweet later’. However, take the time to share something of value (besides your sales and your blog posts). New Twitter tools, blog tools, interesting stories (non-partisan) and tech tips are all great to share. It’s also good to share information about your niche. I do not share political cartoons, religious cartoons and the like.

9. Publicize: Let people know that you’re using Twitter. Have your Twitter name in your email signature – you never know where you might pick up a follower or two. Include the link on your Twitter page on your website and blog and in your signature on forums. Just think, this may inspire someone else to use the service!

10. Stay Balanced: Keep your followers/following ratio balanced. I tend not to follow people who are following 1500 people and have only 100 followers. To me, that reeks of desperation. Keep tweeting great content and your followers will grow.

Twitter can be a great tool for your business if used responsibly. Take the time to learn the tricks and you can become an expert Twitterer.

Download this free ebook – Geekpreneur Twitter EBook