It seems to be Twitter this and Twitter that these days. Whether the influx in celebrity twits has been a planned PR strategy or not Twitter has captured the media leading to an 800% increase in members last year.
What is Twitter?
Twitter is a social media website, as a member of Twitter you can post (Tweet) up to 140 characters direct to your Twitter page. People often post things like "Just walked the dog, glad to be in the warmth" and "Ben is feeling hungry" (if there name is Ben, or maybe if I'm complaining to someone and they are Tweeting about that).
Now that you have Tweeted followers of your account are updated on what you are doing.
Can your business benefit from Twitter? I have been thinking myself about the uses of Twitter and apart from marketing the only real useful thing for me to post publicly is, where I am and when I will be next contactable. So if you are thinking "where is Ben? his phone is going to answering machine", check on http://www.twitter.com/arclidcom and you will see when I am expected to be next available.
Here are my top 5 uses for Twitter
- Update customers on your whereabouts
If your business involves you being at times unavailable to customers let them know when you will be next contactable, or put "Please leave messages I will follow up immediately" - Product in stock
If you have sort after products that customers would like to be updated when they are available such as "We now have the Playstation 4 in stock" - New information available
Do you have regular updates to information on your website, perhaps a blog. Customers may want to be informed when that new information is live. Or if you have timely data such as special offers. Sports leagues can notify when the latest results are on their website. - Viewing what your customers are up to
If your customers use Twitter and they are following your Twitter account, follow their account too. You may spot further avenues in which you can assist them if you know more about them. - SEO
Google and the other search engines spider Twitter pages. If you are regularly updating Twitter with new information and referencing back to your website, it may hold some sway in encouraging spidering of your website. It is particularly useful for getting an inbound link to new content.
