Each week social media brings new and exciting concepts, people, tools, and techniques.
It’s a constantly evolving space that requires endless hours of reading, research and testing just to stay relevant. So for me. this past week has been rather a respite from research and loads of fun, as it revolved mainly around a favourite social media business tool of mine ~ Twitter.
The week started with me attending the Rik Bakas lecture series and a few Taste & Tweets organised by Wine Communicators Australia. Some of the wine industry have shown great insight by adapting early to Twitter. Now, a few years on, we’re all reaping the rewards as case studies and data are readily available on the benefits of marketing through this platform.
Later in the week I hosted two training sessions solely on Twitter. This is unusual, as most businesses I deal with are interested only in Facebook. They see Twitter as a broadcasting tool and Facebook as an engaging tool. Fortunately, this perception is slowly changing and they’re considering the value in both platforms to their business.
The final win came when I received a call late in the week from a long-time client who finally thought they should have more involvement in their Twitter account. WIN ~ there is nothing more rewarding than that moment when a client finally comprehends the importance of social media and thinks they should have more involvement. I call it the aha moment.So, as it’s been a Twitter week for me. How about a few Twitter-tips to help your business through….
- Even if you’re don’t plan to use Twitter just yet, protect your branding rights by reserving your twitter account username now, before it’s too late and someone else claims it.
- Set up your Bio and Picture. Never leave your profile fields blank! Include a bio, link to your site/blog, picture or logo and add a human touch to your online personality.
- Feather your nest! Add half a dozen well-thought-out tweets to your business account before you start following others. Otherwise you look like a spammer – avoid that!
- Follow relevant or industry specific users – actually follow who you want too!!! But do remember, fellow tweeters can view who you are following. No 1 Rule for me of social media ~ nothing is personal. So do be weary.
- Avoid sending out the same tweets several times, since this will result in being marked as spam and your tweets will be filtered in search!
- Encourage interaction from your followers by asking them a question. Strike up a conversation! Don’t just broadcast….
- Remove yourself from listings you don’t wish to be a part of by blocking the user who created it. Protect your web reputation and identity!
- The @ # RT signs are extremely important. Lean how to use them and use them often.
- Learn Twittiquette – do not become a Jabberjaw (post all day every day), Spammer, Narcissist or Broadcaster.
- And finally… be interesting, be informative, be interactive, be promotional, be personal … find a balance.
Until next time…..
