| Twitter is part social network and part micro-blogging. | | | | them to follow you without taking too much time. An |
| What exactly does this mean? On Twitter you make | | | | email is easily ignored or left until a less busy later |
| posts (called Tweets) that answer the question, | | | | that never comes. Tweets are instant little notes |
| "what are you doing?" These posts must be under | | | | that Twitter followers seem to read. |
| 140 characters. Yes characters, not words! Hence the | | | | 8. Attract New Clients |
| micro part. | | | | Don't make this your primary focus on Twitter. Users |
| You then follow people on Twitter and read their | | | | can smell a "marketplace molester" a mile a way. A |
| Tweets. People can follow you, thus reading what | | | | good rule of thumb on Twitter is to make sure only |
| you're up to. Before you know it, you're part of a | | | | one in five Tweets are about your business or |
| larger conversation. | | | | industry. The rest, get personal. Twitter gives you |
| There are many reasons why people use Twitter. | | | | the ability to get personal in bite-sized amounts. |
| Here are my top ones: | | | | And when you do talk about your business, don't |
| 1. It's a Fast and Easy Way to Communicate With | | | | make it a sales pitch, at first. Try sending them to a |
| Clients | | | | blog post they might find useful. It's about building a |
| You can use Twitter to keep in touch with clients, | | | | relationship, not closing the deal. |
| prospects and your followers. Short, sweet and | | | | 9. Find and Connect with Influencers |
| useful Tweets keep your brand in front of people. | | | | By following with industry leaders and influencers, you |
| 2. Brand Recognition | | | | have a better shot of being heard by your Tweets |
| Twitter takes the Rule of Seven and puts it on its | | | | than from email. Many people automatically follow |
| head. You could easily be sending seven Tweets a | | | | people who follow them. Once they're following you, |
| day. That's a lot of times to have your name in front | | | | if you have something interesting to say, they'll stay |
| of people. | | | | on board. |
| 3. Reputation Management | | | | 10. Search Engine Optimization |
| If you're not on Twitter, you don't know what's | | | | One useful feature of Twitter is you can see what |
| being said about you. Your name or your brand could | | | | are the most popular terms (twemes) being |
| be trashed and you wouldn't know about it. If you | | | | Tweeted about. This can be extremely useful for |
| don't know, you can't fix it. You also don't want | | | | your own SEO. By keeping an eye on what people |
| someone hijacking your brand by sending false | | | | are Tweeting about, you can make sure you |
| Tweets under your name. Even if you're not planning | | | | incorporate these terms into your own Tweets, blog |
| to spend much time on Twitter yet, at least sign up | | | | posts and web pages. |
| and get your brand covered. | | | | 11. Drive Traffic to Your Blog or Website |
| 4. Research | | | | Sending Tweets about blog posts or free offers can |
| Twitter is a fast and easy way to do research. Send | | | | drive traffic to your site. Send a private message to |
| out a Tweet to your followers if you need to find | | | | new followers inviting them to read a relevant blog |
| something or need to know something fast. | | | | post or sign up to your ezine can dramatically |
| Response can be almost instantaneous. | | | | increase traffic. Use a tool like TweetLater to make |
| 5. Trend Spotting | | | | the process automatic. |
| Since people are sharing their best tips in their | | | | 12. Keep Current With Local and World News |
| Tweets, you can quickly spot new trends by what's | | | | Subscribe to the Twitter feed of your favorite |
| being talked about. You'll also discover new | | | | newscast keeps you up-to-date. When I'm working I |
| technology, industry news and problems others are | | | | can't listen to the radio; it's too distracting. But |
| having. All this is in an easy to digest 140 character | | | | following the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation's |
| Tweets. | | | | Twitter feed means I can see the top headlines of |
| 6. Be On the Leading Edge | | | | the day. If there's something I want to look at more |
| Twitter is still new enough that those who come on | | | | closely I can click the link. I'm no longer caught having |
| board are still early adopters. This is important | | | | missed breaking news during the day. |
| because you may still be able to grab the name you | | | | 13. It's Fun |
| want - both your personal name and your business | | | | Twitter is fun and fast to use. I can see what people |
| name. Also, by getting on board early, you can build | | | | are up to at a glance. I can comment on other |
| your Twitter tribe with little competition. | | | | people's Tweets. I can vent frustration or share |
| 7. Strengthen Bonds | | | | successes. I can get to know people and they can |
| By connecting with friends, colleagues, clients and | | | | get to know me. All in 140 characters. If you're not |
| joint venture partners on Twitter you can keep in | | | | on Twitter yet why not give it a try? |
| touch. The 140 character limit means it's easy for | | | | |