8 Tips and a Few Tools for Small Business Twitter Use

If you own a small business, Twitter can be one of your most effective tools, not only for marketing, but for connecting with your community and providing customer service. But the most important thing is not that you use Twitter…but that you know how to use it properly.

And while Twitter is nowhere near the size of Facebook, that doesn’t mean it can’t be a powerful and viable platform.

Consider these facts:

• Twitter is growing by about 300,000 new users each day
• Twitter currently has about 110-million users
• Twitter receives more than 180-million unique visits each month
• Twitter hosts more than 600-million searches each day

So if you’re in business, here are a few tips to get you started, or give you a jump start if you’re already on board:

1. Create a personal Twitter account – You can mention your business in your profile, but Twitter works best when you are on as yourself, not a faceless business.

2. Start building a following – The way to start building a following is to start following others. As a small business, your focus is probably local or regional. Find the people in your area and follow them.

3. Observe – If you were asked to join an existing committee, you would most likely sit and observe a few meetings before jumping in and contributing too much. As the new kid on the block, you need to watch and listen. This is how you learn not only the “rules” of Twitter engagement, but also learn a lot about the people who make up your local Twitter community.

4. Engage – Once you’ve observed and have a feel for things, jump in! But start slow and find a pace that’s comfortable for you. Talk to others. Tweet your thoughts. Retweet those things you like.

5. Be a local booster – Support other local businesses, organizations, and events on Twitter. Retweet those things that strike a chord with you. This will show others that you love your community and want to be an active part of it.

6. Use the correct tools – Everyone has their favorite Twitter tools and applications. Some can be used for tweeting, some for monitoring, and some for integrating all of your social properties. In terms of tools, the best place to go is OneForty, an online clearinghouse of everything Twitter related. You’ll find Twitter apps for nearly every use imaginable in nearly two dozen different categories. Plus, you can create your own Twitter toolkit.

Here you can find my OneForty Profile and our custom Inkling Media toolkit of Small Business Essentials.

(If the widget below doesn’t load properly, click on the link above to see the toolkit.)

Small Business Essentials

a toolkit by @kmueller62

7. Stay current – The world of Twitter is an ever changing environment. What works today might not work tomorrow. The rules are constantly evolving. For that reason you need to stay on top of what’s happening. In addition to plugging in to a resource like OneForty, you should also subscribe to Twitter’s official blog, as well as blogs like TwiTip and Twittercism.

8. Stick with it – Consistency is important. Don’t expect to use Twitter as a hardcore sales tool. Don’t expect overnight results. Manage your expectations. Remember: this is about building relationships and trust, not selling. One way or another you will benefit. I know from experience, and from the experiences of my friends on Twitter, it DOES work.

What are your favorite Twitter tips?

Tagged as: facebook, Marketing, oneforty, small business, Social Media, Twitter