Many marketers with an eye on social media have a great interest in Twitter because it’s quick, easy and effective. Often described as a mirco-blogging service, Twitter allows registered users to post 140 character messages, called “tweets” to their “followers.”
Followers may read these messages on the Web site or receive them as text messages on a wireless device. The short and quick nature of these posts makes Twitter a running stream of conversation.
“This means you can step in and out of the flow of information as it suits you and it never queues up with increasing demand of your attention,” says Twitter’s Web site.
Marketing on Twitter
Many celebrities, new outlets and large businesses are already using Twitter to enhance their brands. It’s a great way to get feedback from readers and spread your ideas virally. But, just like Facebook, it’s not a direct sales channel. Twitter is about engaging in a conversation and building relationships. Sure, some sales might come through this channel, but that should be a secondary goal for any successful Twitter campaign.
The rule is: focus on relationships and sales may follow. Using Twitter can increase your visibility as more people learn about your company and become interested in what you’re up to. Later, when they’re looking for your products or services, they may think of you first.
How to Get Started
You can only post text and links on Twitter, so all you really need are:
- A profile image
- Information about your business
- Some good ideas to post
- Followers
The quickest way to build a following is to start following other people and businesses. Often there is a direct correlation between the number of followers someone has and the number of people they are following.
Over time you may start to build your own following virally by keeping your posts and links interesting. If you are actively contributing to the Twittersphere, they are likely to get forwarded.