Micro-Blogging on Twitter – What can 140 characters do for you?
Twitter - Tweets, Tweople, Twitiots. From The New York Times to Oprah, Google to E-Power Marketing, the brands and people all over the world have taken to Twitter. Websites like Twitter, Plurk and Jaiku have been around for awhile, but only recently have they become mainstream. So what are these Websites? What do they offer businesses? And why are they so popular?
Twitter? What is it, really?
Micro-Blogging is traditional Blogging on a much smaller scale. The technology of Twitter allows people to publish short 'Tweets' to users' followers. Tweets are limited to 140 characters, and it can take some creativity to get your message out within this limitation. These messages can include text and links to other Web pages, photographs, audio clips, videos and more. You can send these messages and access Twitter in many different ways; online, from a text message, from the Mobile Web or from a variety of applications.
Micro-Blogging is not limited to Websites like Twitter. Many other Social Networking communities utilize forms of Micro-Blogging. On Facebook, there is the Status Update feature. On MySpace, you can publish bulletins. While not a new phenomenon, Twitter, and Micro-Blogging in general has become a much more popular Social Media outlet.
Why does Twitter benefit businesses?
Twitter is one Social Media outlet which allows people from all walks of life to connect, collaborate, and share online.
Twitter allows companies to...
- Connect with and react to customers and the general public.
- Update customers about company deals and codes (occasionally, make sure there is more to your Tweets than just sales information)
- Gain public feedback and gauge public perceptions of brands.
- Establish yourself as an expert in your field.
- Meet possible job candidates, network with those interested in working for you.
- Offer an alternate customer service option
- Brand yourself. Broadcast company logos, catch phrases and goals.
- Expand your network.
- Stay up to date with things going on in your industry, and keep the rest of your industry aware of what you want to promote.
- Promote yourself. Send a Tweet out with a link to a new Blog post or announce new things going on with your company.
- Invite your Twitter followers to company events or occasionally to sales.
- Make your company human. Allow the public to relate to you and your employees.
- Keep up with modern technology and demonstrate your company's ability to keep up with the changing times.
How do you become successful on Micro-Blogs?
Success on Micro-Blogging Websites isn't too much different than on other Social Media Websites. All you need is time, patience, and a good strategy. On Micro-Blogging Websites, you need to be authentic, persistent, and sometimes it even pays to be a little controversial.
With sites like Twitter, you can easily see how many people are interested in your brand. From the number of followers you acquire, to the percent of your messages other users "re-tweet," you can see how and where your brand is connecting.
Twitter offers a search feature, allowing you to scan the Twitter-verse for messages about your brand. Respond to those users discussing your products or services. Review the "Trending Topics" for ideas on what to Tweet about. The easiest way to become successful on Twitter is simply to Tweet regularly, and provide Tweets with valuable information. Have a sense of humor, be ready to connect with others, and deliver worthwhile messages.
Tweet This
There is always something going on in your company. From industry news to employee milestones, Twitter and other Micro-Blogging Websites give companies the chance to connect with customers and others on an individual level. With the growing population of Twitter, it is important to get in on the action and discover what Micro-Blogging can do for you today.
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