from Grant Criddle • Interactive Marketing Now!
Twitter usage continues to grow at an incredible rate, and it’s influence is becoming pervasive. It was reported at mtv.com yesterday that an amazing 1.3 million tweets referenced the 2009 VMA’s during the live show broadcast! Wow. For those who think it’s all just a flash in the pan, think again. Twitter isn’t going anywhere. I think that the company is still trying to figure out exactly how they can make money with the service, but The Wall Street Journal blog page just posted a story that makes a case for a 2.7 billion dollar valuation!
The expanding number of of businesses finding ways to leverage the social platform also remains a key driver of the relentless growth, and with that comes some confusion about how to effectively use Twitter for business. There are some highly effective Twitter tactics for businesses of all sizes and shapes, but pushing your products or services is not one of them. I suggest that its a good idea to remember what Twitter really began as: a social networking platform. There’s a lot of power in those basics. Here’s a couple of things to keep in mind as you explore ways to utilize Twitter for your business.
BUILD AND EXPAND YOUR NETWORK – FORM RELATIONSHIPS
This may seem obvious to you, but think about it in terms of business. Everyone would agree that business cannot exist without people. Every single one of us has a personal network that consists of friends, family, work colleagues, professional contacts, customers or clients, etc., and our network grows when we meet new people and form some sort of relationship with them. Twitter makes it possible for you to seek out people with similar business or personal interests, add them to your network, and form relationships with them. The lifeblood of every business can be found in the people who make the business run, and in those who buy from the business. It’s always about people and their networks. Smart business people engage those networks rather than attempt to manipulate them.
MEET AND GIVE VALUE TO INDIVIDUALS WHO ALSO WANT TO GIVE VALUE
Wouldn’t you say that this a fundamental practice of good business? I guess we’re talking about “good karma” or maybe the “Law of Attraction” that has been talked about so much lately. The idea that if you’re always sending out good stuff, that you always get much more in return. Twitter is a community of people who are investing their time and energy to meet you, and to develop a relationship with you. Just like in any networking group (and yes, Twitter is networking), people will want to know you and do business with you if they perceive value. Frankly speaking, direct selling and marketing messages are rarely seen as value. Good manners, engaged communication and going the extra step to help others – those things get picked up on. I don’t know about you, but I find this type of community refreshing.
As I mentioned earlier, there are some really excellent applications for Twitter in business. Check out some of the resources and tips at Mashable, which is one of my favorite online resources. Twitter themselves also published a business guide not so long ago which is actually quite good! Check it out.
Have fun tweeting and if you’d like, follow me at http://twitter.com/GrantCriddle
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Filed under: online marketing, Social Networks, twitter, Brand, microblogging, social media, social network, Social Networks, tweet, twitter
