You and Twitter Really Need To Kiss and Make Up
Does it feel like talking on Twitter is like talking to a wall? Do you get the impression that anything you do say is met with indifference? Do you just feel like you don’t even know Twitter anymore?
You’re not alone.
You see, I build websites for a living.
The majority of businesses I work with already have a website and are looking for a redesign and desperately want better placement in the search engines.
Most often, they’ve come to the realization that their current site is not up to par, so I work with them to give them the results that will help their business grow.
I always ask “Who built your current site?” And 9 times out of 10 it was built by someone in house using any one of the dozens of popular web building tools.
Unfortunately, many of these tools become counter-productive and restrictive.
But the point of this is to show that many tools are available for anyone looking to build a website themselves, put it online and start promoting it.
Why This Technique Doesn’t Work With Twitter
In a recent poll conducted by Citibank, 63% of small business owners said they do not find social media sites like Twitter to be an effective tool for lead generation.
Of course they don’t. And quite frankly I’m surprised the number isn’t higher.
You see, unlike a website, there is no similar web building tool for Twitter. It has a mind of its own. Twitter is its own unique beast with its own set of rules for success.
Unfortunately, most business owners think Twitter is a place to broadcast their message to thousands of hungry potential customers quickly, easily and for free.
Far from the truth. Using Twitter effectively takes a hefty amount of time, persistence, patience and effort.
First, you’ll need to build a following. Then you need to foster that relationship. Finally, make certain to properly communicate (IE. have a conversation) with your followers and provide plenty of useful information.
Oh, and all this needs to happen in less than 140 characters.
Unlike a website, setting up a Twitter page and telling the world about it accomplishes very little.
How To Make Twitter Work For You and Your Business
To make Twitter work, you need to actively engage your audience on a regular basis.
Here are a few quick and dirty tips to keep in mind to get the most of your Twitter experience.
- Have a 2-way conversation with your followers and listen.
- Don’t make every message you send an advertisement.
- Take time to build trust by being transparent. In other words, be yourself.
- Link often to blogs, tools and resources that are not yours but ones your audience will appreciate.
- Continue learning the ropes and stay active.
Follow Technorati