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7 Things I`ve Learned About Twitter

 
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DavidJackson

posts: 770

May 26, 2009 12:50 PM ET    Quote
Points: 1   Vote

I`ve been involved with Twitter for approximately 1 month now, and I`ve learned a few things that have enabled me to use Twitter very effectively:

1. You need to have a clear and concise vision how you`re going to use Twitter. You need to know going in exactly what you want from Twitter.  Are you going to use Twitter as a serious business tool, or for casual, social purposes? What is your end game?

2. You can use Twitter anyway you like. You can use it to build a mailing list - to announce specials or discounts - to take surveys - to announce new blog posts. Brick and mortar stores can use it to pre-take orders for pickup, like one coffee shop is doing. Authors can use it to post book excerpts. I`ll soon be using it to announce the launch of my new website, Reviews-by-Customers.com. I could go on and on and on. The point is you are limited only by your imagination.

3. Twitter works. In the approximately 4 weeks I`ve been using Twitter, I`ve increased my affiliate sales and my traffic. I`ve made invaluable business contacts and a few friends. That being said, Twitter is not a panacea. It`s a tool. Nothing more, nothing less. And it`s only as effective as the person using it.

4. It isn`t necessary to follow thousands of people to get the most out of Twitter. You can if you want to of course, but in my opinion, following that many people is counter-productive. Besides, it`s impossible to follow thousands of people and actually read what each one of them has to say. After awhile, following thousands of people becomes background noise. I was following nearly everyone who followed me - well over 1000 people. But I`ve recently cut that total nearly in half. I`m currently following approximately 500 people. I`m only interested in following people who I find interesting, have something of value to say, and who keep the personal chit-chat to a minimum.

5. The people who are the most successful on Twitter give value. Be it business tips, articles, free reports, free software downloads, etc. They spend the majority of their time giving value, and helping others. They don`t bombard their followers with spam, and they don`t spend the majority of their time talking about what they had for breakfast, lunch or dinner.

6. You have to participate. Get involved in conversations. Even if no one responds to you everytime, people do take notice of who participates and who sits on the sidelines. If someone tweets something you like and you think others would like it as well, retweet (RT) it to your followers.

7. Reach out to others. Even though I`m new to Twitter, I`ve already reached out to people who can help me get to where I want to go. For example, I`ve reached out to one lady who is a PR expert, and  is constantly being interviewed on national television. I`ve also reached out to a blogger with a national radio show and 100,000 followers. A few people have reached out to me as well. Reach out!

David Jackson

 

 

DavidJackson7/23/2009 2:22 PM


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If Your Article Marketing Results Suck...Do Something About It!
Free-Marketing-Tips-Blog.com Follow me on Twitter @FreeMarkTips
barose

posts: 108

May 29, 2009 5:27 PM ET    Quote
Points: 0   Vote
I`ve been using Twitter for about two years now and I`m just now getting how to use it.  Thanks for the tips and advice!

http://www.twitter.com/carlarose



-------------------------

Green + Chic
Green + Chic Blog

My Twitter

DavidJackson

posts: 770

May 30, 2009 11:33 AM ET    Quote
Points: 0   Vote
Thanks for the tips and advice!
 
 
 
 
You`re quite welcome, Carla!
 
David Jackson


-------------------------

If Your Article Marketing Results Suck...Do Something About It!
Free-Marketing-Tips-Blog.com Follow me on Twitter @FreeMarkTips
sevenoaks

posts: 17

May 30, 2009 3:50 PM ET    Quote
Points: 0   Vote
Social networking is like any other kind of networking, except you`re using Twitter and other applications as your combination business card and first impression. With Twitter, I`ve found that short, punchy posts and links to valuable content for my followers works the best. Also set up a unique profile page and link over from your Twitter profile to that so you can give people more information about yourself than just the home page of your website. What you do, what results you get, why people should trust you and one or two warm personal touch points make for the best pages.


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Jeanne Grunert
Seven Oaks Consulting
Sparkling writing & get-results marketing services
Follow me on Twitter
writeforyou

posts: 41

Jun 02, 2009 11:54 AM ET    Quote
Points: 0   Vote
Great information on Twitter.  I`ve found a lot of those things too - and a few different Twitter `facts.`  - Would that be twacts? ;-)

1. Let people know what you think - Visit their personal websites and blogs, and if you find something that speaks to you, tweet about it.  Not only will it be true and flatter the individual, but you`ll have a better chance of others visiting your own personal website or blog. 

2. Build relationships - You`re on twitter to market yourself; sure.  However,  you can benefit a whole lot more by building relationships and learning from the successful Tweeps instead of just tossing out your link, services or opportunity.  In fact, most of these successful people would love to help you out if your business, product or service is a worthy one.  It`s about building relationships and networking - not throwing out your sales pitch and seeing how many people take you up on it.

3. Imitation and Flattery - Pay attention to the really successful people.  This can really help if you`re new to Twitter or just haven`t figured it out yet.  There`s a reason they`re really successful.  Find out what they`re doing and learn from it  - perhaps they use a particular style of tweeting.  Maybe they retweet and reply often.  Whatever it is, it`s working, so you`d do good to pay attention!

Hope those helped - and again, thanks for the info!

writeforyou6/2/2009 11:49 AM


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Unique Content is Priceless

Samantha Cummings
Freelance Writer
www.pricelesswriters.com
Now This is Priceless!
Samantha@pricelesswriters.com

Follow Me on Twitter
Vannie

posts: 22

Jun 02, 2009 12:06 PM ET    Quote
Points: 0   Vote

As I was checking my e-mails, the subject and title of this post caught my attention. I have recently started thinking about using Twitter, however, I did wonder if I had anything to offer or could offer in one or two short sentences. Also, I wondered how would Twitter benefit my business. The advice given here has me thinking differently about Twitter.

Thanks much.
  


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Vannie

Work & Family @ BellaOnline.com
Vannie at Twitter
pricelessyona

posts: 1

Jun 02, 2009 12:42 PM ET    Quote
Points: 0   Vote
Vannie,

I thought the same thing about using Twitter for personal and business reasons and resisted for quite some time. However, my business partner (writeforyou) encouraged the transition of our business into the world of Twitter and it has been quite successful. We have been able to:
  • stay current in our field and writing niches
  • participate in Twitter chat conferences for educational (and promotional) purposes
  • connect with like-minded individuals
  • drive traffic to our website and blogs
  • advertise our services and market our work
  • gain inspiration for blog posts and articles
When not abused, Twitter is a great resource and business tool.

-Yona


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I`m Priceless

I`m a Twit: PricelessTeam
ShannonAronin

posts: 1

Jun 02, 2009 1:00 PM ET    Quote
Points: 0   Vote
The only thing I would add is to use the right tools. Tweetdeck for me is so valuable. Also check out the WeAreMedia wiki for more useful tools! Learn to use search, link tracking, Retweets, #FollowFriday & other hashtags.
proactive1

posts: 75

Jun 02, 2009 1:01 PM ET    Quote
Points: 0   Vote
David,
 
Great to see you on Twitter, David. Proof that in sales and marketing, one should never dismiss a skeptic. As for Twitter itself, I wouldn`t spend every waking moment trying to build my business there, but for the sole purpose of adding value to a dialog, campaign, or business relationship, potential followers do appreciate good information.

I`ll tell you one thing-- the “micro” factor appeals to me as time (as they say) is our most precious commodity.

proactive16/2/2009 12:58 PM


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Chuck Anthony
Proactive Trades, Inc
"You can always better your best."

Home Business Hints
Chuck Anthony on Twitter
Vannie

posts: 22

Jun 02, 2009 2:50 PM ET    Quote
Points: 0   Vote
Yona,
 
Thanks for posting, you give me further reason to jump into the very largeTwitter pool.


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Vannie

Work & Family @ BellaOnline.com
Vannie at Twitter
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