Twitter Tuesday: Why Twitter Matters

You could say I got swept up into the social media frenzy going on right now. Sure, why not.

Twitter is really fun. Most people I talk to roll their eyes when I mention Twitter, just because to them it’s another “thing” for their busy to-do lists. Well, sure, if you look at it that way.

However, if you look at it like I do, you’ll find it’s a great way to build a following, start a conversation, increase your network, and ahem, build your business. Don’t believe me?

Read on.

1. Business is not about force-feeding your product or service to clients and customers. Is it? If you’ve run (or do run) a business, you know that a relationship with your customers and clients is the most important way to have a successful business. You are friendly and accommodating, you help them find products or services that meet their needs, and you send them coupons or news from your business so they know you are working to find the best stuff or develop the best services . . . so their lives will be easier!

2. Business is not about one-time sales. Everyone knows it’s easier to keep up with returning customers or clients than to go out and find new ones. It’s cheaper too. Plus, returning (and happy) customers tell other customers and your business grows. If you get the same folks coming year after year to your yearly Christmas extravaganza, that says something about your business. You have built quality relationships with people. Bingo.

3. Business is about word-of-mouth. Sure, you can run a successful business on new clients or customers, but sooner or later, your business can flourish if you get word of mouth customers and referral customers. Happy customers tell other customers who want to be happy. You aren’t just pushing a product or service, you are spreading your name as a solution, a helpful company, a company that everyone wants to do business with.

4. Once you get a following, you want them to stick around. In this crazy yo-yo economy (one day we’re doing better, the next day, not so much), the most important thing is transparency and communication with clients and customers. They are looking for companies that are real, that talk to them on a continual basis, and that offer true solutions to their most pressing problems. Seth Godin’s book Tribes talks about this, and this is what Twitter can do for you.

5. On Twitter, you can communicate with your customers or with other professionals in your industry or in other industries. You keep yourself in communication with a lot of people who see you Twitter often throughout the day or week. They Twitter back or not. It’s a great tool to keep that transparency and communication going. And even if you only Twitter to your colleagues or to others you meet online, your Twitter is great practice for learning to be more communicative and open about your day-to-day stuff.

I hope I have convinced some readers to get going on Twitter. I’m sold on it.

Check Out These Resources and See For Yourself

Twitip, a blog about Twitter for Twitter users.

Joel Comm, a friend of mine, wrote a great ebook on Twitter. Get it here.

Follow me on Twitter: @TrishLawrence

Have a great Tuesday!

Tagged as: brilliant, reading, real, Twitter Tuesday, writing