What do you think of Twitter as a marketing platform for your business?
Some are suggesting that it is in fact the best marketing method for a small business but I have to say, I’d don’t think I’d quite give it such an accolade!
Here’s just a few of the resons why Blogging Tips website thinks that Twitter is best:
Following are the points which prove that twitter is the best marketing platform:
1. If you ask any marketing expert, he will tell you how important it is to have a good headline, and that’s what twitter is all about. Twitter followers use this platform because it helps to focus on the desired audience and there is no trickle-down effect. Every point is put forward through tweets in a very precise and straight-forward manner letting twitter followers use this to the point conversation to reach others and develop them as prospective leads for marketing purpose.
2. User demographics of the twitter are more businesslike and professional, which makes it the first choice for all marketing professionals. Social twist claims that twitter has major click views of people who are looking for business and online entrepreneurs.
3. Twitter is proven to bring more traffic to twitter follower’s websites because people who get attracted to tweets most likely do more research and want to know more than just 140 character tweet, and hence they click on the additional link which is given in the tweet and increase the traffic to your website effectively.
4. With a twitter account, you will have access to both your present and probable customers, and they will be updated regularly on your activities. You can very efficiently receive the feedback and reaction from your existing and prospective buyers and hence regularize and modify your marketing practices and business in that way which will suit your audience in a proficient way. You can search twitter on any possible conversation, which will be related to your business, and you should give thanks to twitter hashtags for this feature. This will keep you informed about any fresh information and relevant news, which is related to your business….More at 10 Reasons Why Twitter Is The Best Marketing Platform
Personally I find SEO (search engine optimisation) to be the best marketing method for small businesses because once a website is on page one of Google for relevant search terms (so for a hairdresser in Wigan, they’d be appearing high in Google for searches such as ‘hairdresser wigan’ etc), then they can be found online 24 hours a day and other than a little SEO maintenance, nothing else is required to give them free advertising day in, day out.
Twitter on the other hand does require regular Twittering, as tweets rapidly disappear from view. A few days without twittering means no marketing for your business during that time.
Don’t get me wrong though, I still see Twitter as an effective means of promoting a business and one that I regularly use myself. It’s just not deserving of the best award in my opinion.
If you’re not yet using Twitter as part of your marketing, or want to do more, then here are a few ideas on taking things to the next level…
[title color=”orange-vibrant” align=”scmgcleft” font=”arial” style=”normal” size=”scmgc-1em”]Make sure you are following your customers[/title]
Twitter is a great place to talk with your customers. However, this means that you have to connect with them.
It’s impossible for you to know which of your customers are on Twitter. For that reason, it’s important for you to advertise your Twitter account to your customers. This way, your customers can find you.
How can you tell who is your customer on Twitter? Here are a few tips:
- They talk to you. Some customers may start a conversation with you using your Twitter handle. You should follow everyone who talks to your business.
- They mention your business. You should set up a saved search on Twitter so you can find people talking about your business. Always reply to people who mention your business and follow them.
You can also search for your customers using their email address.
[title color=”orange-vibrant” align=”scmgcleft” font=”arial” style=”normal” size=”scmgc-1em”]Put Twitter to work solving your business challenges[/title]
Sometimes, the best way to improve your experience with a tool is to ask more from it. If you’ve been casually using Twitter and allowing the results to unfold, maybe it’s time to give Twitter a real job.
It takes some time using Twitter before you’ll be ready to put it to work on your business goals. But after you understand Twitter and have built a community, it’s time to take your Twitter use to the next level.
Twitter can help you meet your business goals. Think about a challenge you face in your business today. How could Twitter help you solve that problem?
For example:
- Offer a Twitter-only special. If your restaurant or store is a ghost town on Tuesday nights, why not promote a Tuesday night event on Twitter? Offer a special deal (free dessert or a special discount) for everyone who knows the secret code you tweet out Tuesday at 5 pm.
- Reward people who retweet you. Is your blog a little lonely? Twitter is a great tool to drive traffic to your blog. Set up a contest or a reward for people who retweet your messages about your blog posts. You might give away an ebook, a seat at an upcoming webinar, a free 30-minute consultation or a product discount. Explain the terms of the offer in a blog post or on a special website page and link to that page in your tweet so people understand your offer.
- Organize a tweetup at your business. Have you been chatting with local people whom you have not met in real life? Or has it been a long time since they have visited your business? Why not organise an informal tweetup? Set a date and time, offer refreshments and give people something fun to do or learn and they will come.
The best way to make Twitter work for your business is to try something new. Learn from what happens and try it again with improvements….More at 16 Creative Ways to Use Twitter for Business | Social Media Examiner
Whether you agree that Twitter is the best marketing platform for your business or not, I hope this post gives you a few ideas to make your tweets more effective for you.
Chris Towland
