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Of all the social media applications, twitter is gaining the most momentum, especially among business and professional users, and with good reason! This free little marketing tool provides direct customer communication, an ever-expanding reach for your brand, and highly trackable results.
Still not sure twitter is right for you?
The following 4 tips are all you need to know when using twitter to promote your business:
- ONLY TWEET RELEVANT INFO: Tweets should not be used to post sales messages or product pitches. The best way to draw interest is to provide information that is interesting/useful to readers. For example, a commentary tweet with an article link, tips, or advice to showcase your company’s expertise.
- ALWAYS MONITOR FOLLOWERS: Take advantage of the two-way communication with your followers to mine for valuable market information. Monitor followers’ comments/feedback to improve/develop your products, services and business strategies.
- KEYWORDS & HASHTAGS: Incorporate keywords and hashtags into your twitter postings to help your business climb the rankings in Google and twitter search results. Doing so will ensure your tweets are on-topic, help prospective consumers find you online, and heighten your company’s profile. @downunderct is a great example!
- CREATE URL LINKS: Use tweets to direct traffic to your corporate website by posting your shortened URL after a useful tip and invite followers to visit the site for additional information or resources. You can create a shortened URL by using www.bit.ly. Another great example is @swholberg
I was hoping to get a little specific on your first tip, “ONLY TWEET RELEVANT INFO” because, while I agree Twitter users don’t like to see the platform used as just another advertising tool like TV, Radio, Newsprint, etc., I currently write tweet content for Restaurant and Bar establishments.
Can you offer any tips for these types of establishments? Being that they don’t follow a “business platform” whereas the tip you have given (a commentary tweet with an article link, tips, or advice to showcase your company’s expertise.) doesn’t really apply, with the exception of a link to a menu, special event or a specific agenda.
Thanks!
Dear Elizabeth,
Thanks for stopping by our blog! We think it is great that you are tweeting for Restaurants and Bars. Since bars and restaurants are social by nature, it’s a natural to extend conversations on twitter and we think you can have great success for your clients!
Twitter is less about what you say, and more about listening and being social. With Twitter, you have the opportunity to win hearts and minds for your clients, and build a community, one person at a time. Every establishment will have its own personality, but here are some suggestions:
When you are starting out to build a following, make sure you do lots of retweeting and interacting with others, and they are likely to return the favor.
One in 10 tweets can be self promoting … specials, etc., but we wouldn’t do more than that.
Questions to specific people who stopped in and then connect with you on twitter can get a more specific response like, How was the service? Do you have plans for brunch this mother’s day? Were you here during the live music set? Wasn’t the band awesome” etc.
Have fun with promotions, like “Happy birthday, to all those June birthdays … come in and we’ll give you a free dessert, on the house!” , etc.
Here is one last tip: Check out the twitter of other restaurants who do a good job … AJBombers is the classic Twitter restaurant success story … and see tif that gives you any inspiration.
The less you “sell” on Twitter, the more people you will attract. Best of luck with your gig!
Rhonda Hurwitz
you’ve gotten an ideal blog right here! would you like to make some invite posts on my website?