Author: Carol Moore (account manager)
Date: 11 May 2011

Categories: Other articles

TWITTER – TO USE OR NOT TO USE?

Barely a day goes by without someone mentioning something they’ve seen or done on Twitter. And while social media is revolutionising the way people interact with brands, many small business owners remain hesitant. Should they use Twitter? If so, how?

Before you decide, log on to Twitter and listen to some of the conversations. Pick a topic you’re interested in, personally or professionally (a competitor is always a good choice), and explore how people start and develop online conversations. How do you respond to their Tweets – which ones do you enjoy following and which ones are downright annoying?

If you decide that Twitter is for you, think of it in the context of your overall marketing strategy. Because it’s essentially about conversation, you don’t want to bombard your followers with offers and continuous sales pitches, but it must convert on some level otherwise you’re wasting your time.

To get the most out of Twitter, think about what followers do you want to attract and how you will keep them engaged? What are they talking about and how will you add value to the conversation? What’s the link to your product or service and how and when will you introduce it? And, of course, what time does it need and can you spare it?

If you truly embrace social media, perhaps you’ll find it can replace some of your other more expensive and time-consuming marketing efforts. Because it’s essentially a place to meet people who are already looking for ideas or information which are relevant to your business, you may well find it more effective than direct mail or advertising. There’s only one way to find out...

Here are some of our favourite Twitter users - some serious, some not but all with a proactive approach to promotion via twitter. Take a look for yourself.

• Stephen Fry (@stephenfry) – one of the most famous users of Twitter, Stephen Fry tweets his news and views with hallmark wit. More than two million followers...

• Tetley Tea Folk (@tetley_teafolk) – A lovely example of how a company uses Twitter to really bring a brand to life. Tetley uses its Tea Folk cartoon characters to engage with tea fans – lots of ‘eyup lads and lasses’ and sharing of brew stories.

• Innocent Drinks (@innocentdrinks) – Who knew there would be so much to say about juice?
If you have any favourite Twitter users, let us know.

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