twitter for business
DESCRIPTION
Beginners guide to using Twitter for business - co-created and co-presented with Webbed MarketingTRANSCRIPT
A Webinar Presented by Webbed Marketing in Partnership with Fahlgren
How to Use Twitter for your Business
Introductions - Presenters
– Yvonne Rayburn, Webbed Marketing• [email protected]• @yrayburn
– Lara Kretler, Fahlgren• [email protected] • @LaraK
– Rebecca Roebuck, Webbed Marketing• [email protected]• @dcrebekah
Introduction to Twitter
• What is Twitter?
– In simple terms – free social networking and micro-blogging service that allows anyone to say anything to anybody in 140 characters or less.
– Twitter is a “what are you doing now” type of micro-blogging.
– Great way to communicate/network with contacts old and new.
– You can subscribe, share, friend or follow as many feeds as you would like.
How to use Twitter
• Sign up!– Very painless. Go to
http://twitter.com/account/create – Next step to save yourself time and questions
should be http://help.twitter.com/index.php?pg=kb.book&id=1
Profile/Twitter Handle
• Once you sign up you will get a home page/profile page.– http://twitter.com/yrayburn– From your home/profile pages, you can find
others Twitter streams to follow and post your own messages.
• Your Twitter handle is how others know you on Twitter.– @yrayburn
Why would I use Twitter?
• Do you want to connect with others in your industry/who share your views?
• Do you want instant access to what is being said about your company/brand?
• Would you like a steady stream of ideas, content, links, resources, and tips focused on your area of expertise or interest?
Why would I use Twitter?
• Would you like to monitor what is being said about your customers or target audience?
• Would you like to extend the reach of your thought leadership?
• Are you looking to promote your products directly to a target audience?
• Twitter is great for all of these, except the last one!
Why would I use Twitter?
• News is happening first on Twitter!
• Great way to get the headlines before they even hit the newswires or news about what is happening in your community.
• Sometimes, not accurate, as with the death of Ohio Congresswoman Stephanie Tubbs-Jones. But, was re-tweeted correctly within minutes!
Who to follow
• With Twitter, who you follow is everything
• First figure out who is important to you:– People talking about your brand or industry– Prospects– Customers– Influencers– Experts
• Resources exist to help you find them
Finding people to follow
• Summize.com, Tweetscan.com – search Tweets for company/industry keywords
• Quotably.com – search/view conversations by Twitter name
• Twellow.com, Socialbrandindex.com – Twitter business directories
• Dossy.org/twitter/karma – see who’s following you so you can follow back
Following the right way
• Don’t start following 1,000 people right away
• Follow those who follow you
• Start monitoring keyword mentions related to your brand or company or interests
• Follow others in proportion to who is following you
What do I say?
• Follow those who interest you and be of interest yourself so others will follow you
• Provide something of value – information, links, tips, humor, personality, humanity
• Don’t be a bot or spammer!
• Remember to engage in two-way conversation
How Do I Brand & Promote My Business?
• Grab branded Twitter name NOW– Even if not ready to use it, scoop it up
• Generate website or blog traffic– Showcase your website link in profile– Tweet to promote new blog posts (yours and
others of interest)– Feature “specials” for Twitter followers– Don’t over-promote, but do share links and
information related to your business
How Do I Brand & Promote My Business?
• Answer questions, offer advice– Provide tips and info related to your brand,
company or industry– Showcase your expertise and gain credibility– Be a good Twitizen – respond to queries
about more than just your subject area– Add value to gain and keep followers
• Be a human voice for your brand
How Do I Brand & Promote My Business?
• Showcase your Twitter @name in offline communications:
– Advertisements– Business cards– Email signature– Press releases– Packaging– Web site
Twitter Case Study: Zappos
• Zappos Philosophy– Marketing strategy based on positive word-of-
mouth and customer retention– Advertising dollars are spent online – Enhance the Zappos customer experience– Encourage an open and communicative
company culture
Twitter Case Study: Zappos
• Tony Hsieh, CEO of Zappos, has been using Twitter for over a year
Twitter Case Study: Zappos
• Great feedback and warm feelings toward Zappos from the Twitter community and blogosphere. Zappos gets it!
Twitter Case Study: #dontgo
• #dontgo is a Twitter-based effort to force a vote on new oil drilling during the House’s August recess.
• http://dontgomovement.com
Twitter Case Study: #dontgo
• How was the movement successful?– Twitter was used to notify people of a grassroots
movement
– Members of Congress connected directly with Twitter followers
– The story made headlines
– The movement has been given the tag #dontgo on Twitter
– Members of Congress have joined twitter• http://twitter.pbwiki.com/USGovernment
– Even the White House is on Twitter• http://twitter.com/TheWhiteHouse
Companies on Twitter That We Follow
• NBC @NBC_4
• CBS @10TV
• Experience Columbus @ExpCols
• CNN @cnn
• Comcast @comcastcares
• Dell @RichardatDELL
• Whole Foods @wholefoods
More Twitter Resources
• Twitter fan wiki:- http://twitter.pbwiki.com/
• Tweetmarks (commonly bookmarked Twitter sites):
- http://www.tweetmarks.com
• 69 Twitter add-ons:- http://smartech.blogetery.com/2008/05/16/69-twitter-web-
services-you-should-know/
• 50 ideas for using Twitter for business:- http://www.chrisbrogan.com/50-ideas-on-using-twitter-for-
business/