Simon Johnnson offers the following royalty-free article for you to publish online or in print. Feel free to use this article in your newsletter, website, ezine, blog, or forum. ----------- PUBLICATION GUIDELINES - You have permission to publish this article for free providing the "About the Author" box is included in its entirety. - Do not post/reprint this article in any site or publication that contains hate, violence, porn, warez, or supports illegal activity. - Do not use this article in violation of the US CAN-SPAM Act. If sent by email, this article must be delivered to opt-in subscribers only. - If you publish this article in a format that supports linking, please ensure that all URLs and email addresses are active links. - Please send a copy of the publication, or an email indicating the URL to [email protected] - Article Marketer (www.ArticleMarketer.com) has distributed this article on behalf of the author. Article Marketer does not own this article, please respect the author's copyright and publication guidelines. If you do not agree to these terms, please do not use this article. ----------- Article Title: Small Business Guide to Twitter Marketing Author: Simon Johnnson Category: E-Commerce Word Count: 548 Keywords: Twitter marketing, Small business marketing Author's Email Address: [email protected] Article Source: http://www.articlemarketer.com ------------------ ARTICLE START ------------------
These days one way to really get the word out about your small business is to have some kind of social media presence. Social networking platforms like Facebook or LinkedIn can help put a virtual 'face' to your company, its products, goals, etc. However, the micro-blogging service Twitter, which is a free service that allows you to post messages up to 140 characters, is really helping small business increase their online reach. No matter how small your business, it is not only important to tap into all the various segments of your personal network, but to also belong to an online social network where others can find you. However, before you even sign up for a Twitter account it is essential that you have a social media strategy. Although it can be a great free way to advertise your services and be in touch with customers (existing and potential), you do have to put some effort into identifying your goals and the kind of online image you'd like to create. Some Advantages to Twitter for Small Businesses: Free, Simple to Use One of the best things about Twitter is that it is free marketing. There is no cost to open the account. You can easily post updates or even links to news, upcoming events, new products, etc. as long as it does not go over the 140-character limit. Spread the Word Quickly Word can spread like wildfire on Twitter. If one person raves about your services/products then everyone in their social network will know about it and you can be well on your way to increasing the number of Twitter followers. Building a Network Twitter can also be a great place to network with those in your market or to potentially find partnerships with suppliers/manufacturers. Also, you can reach potentially reach those outside your local area, increasing the amount of customers you reach. Detective Work You can easily conduct a search to find out who on Twitter has been talking about your business or may be talking about products that you offer. You can then start following and post updates about your company. Further, you can also use Twitter to search for what others are saying about your competitors. Instantaneous Updates Unlike promotional flyers, brochures, or email newsletters, you can send Twitter updates frequently throughout the day or week. Some small businesses use it to send out promotions or alert customers to new products. Some Twitter Tips: - Spend some time following those in a similar market or those companies that have enjoyed huge Twitter success and observe how they use Twitter. These can be great case studies that you can also apply to your business. - Do not overwhelm your followers with updates. Sending too many may be annoying, causing some not to follow you anymore. So do not send Twitter updates every hour. Aim for a couple a day or week. - If someone follows you, make sure to return the favor and follow them back. This is good Twitter etiquette. - Do not only post updates to advertise your business. You can also share things about your area, community, useful links, etc. Or use it to start conversations with others. - If you have employees, have them sign up with business Twitter accounts, as they can offer different perspectives on your business. Plus, can save you the time of always being the sole Twitterer. Simon Johnnson is the director of content for http://www.executivegiftshoppe.com/business-card-holders.html. They specialize in business card holders and other desk accessories. ------------------ ARTICLE END ------------------ [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
