Please share your best Twitter tips - or Twitter "no-no's" with other business women. Reader's Tips for Twitter (Guest posting permitted; no account necessary to post a Twitter tip.)
What is Twitter?
Twitter is a micro blogging social networking tool that can be used to send mini messages called “tweets” to people who subscribe to your tweets. You can also subscribe to receive tweets from other businesses to stay on top of your competition. And, of course, Twitter can be used and stay in touch with friends and family.
Twitter Tip: Open two separate Twitter accounts for business and personal tweets. You don't want your clients and customers reading about your toddler's latest exploits or how you are having a really bad day at work.
What are “Tweets?”
Tweets are mini messages akin to short text messages you post on your Twitter account. Tweets are limited to 140 characters (including spaces) but can include hyperlinks.
Tweets automatically go out to anyone who subscribes to receive your messages via email, RSS feeds, RSS aggregation services (i.e., Bloglines.com), and even via mobile phone.
How Can Subscribing to Tweets Help my Business?
Twitter can be one way of staying on top what your competition is doing (providing they Twitter). You can also show support for your Twitter-loving customers by subscribing to their tweets.Twitter Business Tip: If you do want your customers to know you are following their Tweets use a Twitter account with your business name. If you do not want your customers to know you are keeping tabs on them, open a separate anonymous Twitter account and do not link to your business' website.
Briefly, Twitter for businesses is a fast, easy (and free) way to:
- Stay on top of what your competition is doing;
- Keep in touch with your own clients (subscribe to their Tweets and see what they are doing);
- Offer private discounts and sales announcements;
- Provide internal updates to team members and employees;
- Get leads on business opportunities, trends, and a jump on late-breaking news.
