Business Rules for Socializing on Twitter
Twitter is a social
networking tool, built to, well…socialize and network with others. Many businesses have
caught on to this nifty network marketing tool. Since then Twitter has exploded as an
easy to use, online platform that can be expanded to help develop branding, promote
products, and keep clients in sync with what is happening on the forefront of your
business.
There are a few different rules businesses must follow when networking on Twitter,
but for the most part, things work the same as they do for an individual user. Here are
a few things to think about when using Twitter as a business tool.
- Update your profile – Keep your profile updated and current with any new
developments or projects currently in the works. This helps your customers understand
where you are going as a business and it also makes them aware of any changes you have
planned.
- Stay professional – While it may be fun to get into a heated debate over who
will win the Kentucky Derby, keep your tweeting business oriented. It is not a bad thing
to express your opinion every once in a while, but do make sure that it falls directly
in line with the mission statement and operating procedures of the company under whose
name you are tweeting. If you are a sole proprietor, obviously you have the decision
making power here, but if you are in business with others, develop a policy for how
individuals will tweet.
- Be personal – People like to know they are talking with actual people. In
this age where digital voices prompting our actions are standard, people find great
delight in the ability to communicate with intelligent human people who can actually
listen and respond rather than deal with canned impersonal messages that don't meet
their individual needs and desires.
- Give to get – Do not, I repeat, do not, just spam your followers with
announcements of new products or websites for them to look at. Converse with them,
answer their questions and ask them exactly what they are looking for. Once again, be
human and socialize with them. It is ok to interact with your customer online the same
way you interact in a face to face meeting, just keep it professional.
- Use tracking devices – Implement the use of hashtags and other tracking
devices as searchable references for your customers. This makes it easy for them to
follow you and your business developments. The easier it is to follow you and what you
are doing, the better chance you have they will actually do it. Let your customers
know when you have initiated a new search term and what those terms mean to them. Your
business is about helping the customer get to your product as easy as possible.
Hashtags are a great tool to help this happen.
- Make their life easy – While conversing with your prospects, make sure to
ask if there is anything they believe your business can do to improve - and then
listen. Customer feedback is one of the most valuable tools to a business. What better
way to get feedback than online when you are already in conversation with them? You
can develop customer loyalty simply through listening to and responding to their
opinions.
The biggest difference between a business account and a personal account on Twitter
is the language and posture you present while socializing. Don’t be a machine, check
your replies and messages, respond to questions and be human. Follow these simple
rules and your business will develop a new social networking tool that can be used to
reach thousands more clients in no time.
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