Are You Twitter Savvy? 3 Non-Negotiables for Twitter Marketing that Gets Results

Aug. 4, 2011 - PRLog -- Twitter stormed onto the Internet scene in 2006, and has experienced exponential growth since. With over 200 million registered users and 460,000 sign ups on a daily basis, it is the social network that everyone is talking about, but its potential for marketing is still shrouded in mystery for many.  Just how can a business capitalize on Twitter and be assured of great results?  For a business to succeed on Twitter, there are three non-negotiables: Listen, Monitor, and Connect:

•   LISTEN to the ongoing stream with Tweetdeck.
Tweetdeck is a free download that allows you to monitor the flow of Twitter traffic continuously  -and in any configuration you desire.  This means you will get to actually listen in on the thoughts and conversations taking place across your marketing demographic. Take it from Ernest Hemmingway, who said, “I like to listen. I have learned a great deal from listening carefully. Most people never listen.” Too many times, businesses approach Twitter thinking only about what they can announce, link to, or advertise.  By taking the time to actually hear what potential customers are talking about, you can learn about their needs and how your business may be able to meet them.  You can interact with a select group of Twitter users and engage when appropriate, which will help you have a better chance for conversion when you do so.

•   MONITOR the conversation for keyword relevance.
Twitter’s demographics are often misjudged.  Many people assume that Twitter is used primarily by teens.  The truth is that the median age of Twitter users is 31, older than the median for both MySpace and Facebook.  Your potential customers are currently using Twitter, and many more are joining every day.   Use Tweetdeck to create a column of keywords for your target market. For instance, if your product or service would be of interest to a new or expanding business, you can create a Tweetdeck column to follow the keywords “new location”.

•   CONNECT with potential customers.
Rather than simply dumping links all over Twitterdom, a practice that yields few results and may even bring about negative reactions to your brand, make a genuine attempt to connect with potential customers or clients.  Think about this: What specifically does your business have to offer that would be a benefit to them?  You can point a potential customer to your site to look at a specific product, a helpful article, or an image that creates an immediate and memorable connection with your business.  Be willing to go the extra mile.  You might jot a physical note and send it to the business, wishing them well at their new location. Do not forget to include your Twitter address, inviting them to follow you as well.  Part of real connection with your market means sometimes just being a part of the conversation by commenting (when appropriate) WITHOUT posting a link or promotion.  This helps all users feel more at ease and helps them see your posts as genuine, not as an invasive sales pitch.

Don’t underestimate Twitter’s growing influence and scope.  You are sure to reap the benefits of Twitter marketing by following the Listen, Monitor, and Connect strategy outlined here.

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