Twitterers actually aren’t twits
Twitter. It’s ridiculous, right? The distractions of visiting a website to provide updates to your “followers” about where you are and what you’re doing. Sounds like such a waste of time!
But alas, I beg to differ. From what I’m learning, it’s one of a variety of really effective vehicles to achieve business goals. Developing interaction, relationships and rapport with your audience can lead directly to increased sales.
In the case of Twitter, Facebook and others, your customers can get to know you in a way that otherwise wouldn’t be possible. And the more they do, the more inclined they’ll be to work with you. In fact, studies on consumer behavior confirm that familiarity alone causes positive feelings, greater confidence and could just be what tips an “iffey” consumer toward being a committed purchaser.
Recognizing the value of online social networks and leveraging your followers, friends, or whatever term is used for “network” within your favorite social site, we at StartupNation are trying to help you take advantage of this social networking phenomenon in the StartupNation Home-Based 100.
Here’s how: We’re providing “widgets” for contestants that allow you to conveniently place these graphically pleasing elements on your various pages within social sites where you have a presence. They come with “vote for me” buttons and are designed to help you foster participation and support among your audience. They add a fun factor, interest level, and interactivity that creates a stronger dynamic between you and audience members.
And you can drive a ton of traffic. We’re seeing that very thing happen.
Here’s how to dip your toe in the water. When you enter your business in the competition, and complete your profile (after receiving your confirmation email), you can select from among a variety of widgets (like those shown in the jpegs below) and place them on Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, your blog, your emails and website and a host of other social networking services in just a few clicks.
Here are examples of the widgets (though these are just screenshots, not the functioning widgets):
It’s part of our job (and mission) to equip you with the assets–and the knowledge–of how to leverage trends and opportunities to your advantage. Experimenting with these widgets is just another way StartupNation is trying to help you succeed.
It’s a fast-moving world. Be careful about jumping to conclusions about seemingly berserk things like Twitter. With an open mind, and some clear insights and examples about how value can be created, you might actually conclude that Twitterers actually aren’t twits.
September 2nd, 2008 at 10:32 am
We have found that some Michigan small business owners are dipping their toes into Twitter, particularly if they are in high tech businesses and familiar with the Twitter technology. But, most small business owners are busy people and uncertain about the ROI of sending Twitter messages.
I personally find it a good way to stay in contact with my peers in the association world.
You can follow me on Twitter at mwrogers.
September 2nd, 2008 at 1:15 pm
I don’t know, Rich. I tried twitter. It didn’t work.
Now I just don’t give a twit.
September 2nd, 2008 at 1:50 pm
I’m not quite sure what I’m doing when I’m Twittering! I’m also not sure how to build up my following (I’ve only got 2 or 3 people right now!)
September 2nd, 2008 at 1:51 pm
For me updating my Status on Facebook has been very powerful in getting my message out there. The problem with twitter is that you need to build up a really large network for your message to be powerful, so on some levels its like starting all over again with social networking… and that is hard.
September 2nd, 2008 at 1:53 pm
Stella, don’t get so hot under your fictitious collar.
Michael, glad to know you’re putting Twitter to work as you describe. With things moving so fast these days, it’s one of a variety of ways to stay connected with people and that can lead to opportunity…
September 2nd, 2008 at 2:16 pm
I “personally” think that this social networking thing is going to help some and not going to help others. IT is too time consuming to JOIN every SOCIAL NETWORK out there. There are too many now. Facebook, Merchant Circle, My Space, Twitter, and the list goes on. WHO in the world has the time to socialize on all of these social networks??? I know I don’t. My business takes up most of my 16 hour days. I don’t have the time to participate in more than ONE social networkng group.
If any business owner has the time to do social networking in all of the new networks well god bless them because apparently their business is not doing very well.
(Just my opinion)
September 2nd, 2008 at 2:39 pm
I’ve been using Twitter for about a month now and I must say that I’m addicted. Looked at Facebook, Myspace, Linkin, and others and the formula just wasn’t right for me. I find that Twitter isn’t really about the hard sell; but rather conversation. I began to build my list from the blog authors I read on a regular basis. I’m not aggressive or egregious and will incorporate my future marketing around a Web 2.0/3.0 branding since I serve a national clientele. Michael, I’m located in Traverse City, MI and have added you to my “following” list. Follow me: twitter.com/jsondy
September 2nd, 2008 at 2:51 pm
I agree, it seems almost every other day I’m getting invited to a different “networking” site. The recommendations I’ve seen from most networking “gurus” is that you should focus your efforts on the more popular sites like Linkedin. To me it seems to be the most professional and feature-rich out of the bunch.
Jose Siandre
Franchise Consultant
973-291-6419
http://www.topfranchisestoday.com
September 2nd, 2008 at 3:06 pm
Michael,
Thanks for sharing the info on Twitter. I have not tried it as of yet, because I don’t know how it will help me promote my rather narrow focused automotive research company. Thank you for sharig and I will report back and let you know how it goes.
September 2nd, 2008 at 3:29 pm
Hi All!
It’s interesting that the people who had a negative response probably just lost out on about 10 prospective new Twitter followerers.
Every opportunity you have to communicate with the outside world is an opportunity to meet a new person who may benefit from your services/ product. Don’t miss out on a prospect because you’re not seeing immediate results.
Twitter is not the end all, but it can prove to be just one more way to promote your business.
Good luck!
September 2nd, 2008 at 3:58 pm
I find Twitter to be a mixed bag and I pay a lot of attention to who gets my attention and why, so I can hopefully learn what works. For existing online colleagues I value twitters that have either content (resources, leads, etc) and I enjoy those that are evocative/descriptive (working against a a backdrop of climate and place) that paint a more holistic picture of that colleague. I have heard Twitter called “social networking haiku.” One of the best corporate Twitterers I have found is Zappos — amusing, off the wall view from this otherwise quiet CEO. It has made me pay attention to the company (plus he took the time to recruit followers.)
September 3rd, 2008 at 5:08 pm
Twitter (just as any business tool) as only as good as people who are using it. So, if your market is on the twitter - it works. Mine isn’t, so it doesn’t quite work for me yet.
September 4th, 2008 at 12:13 pm
Twitter is an amazing tool. It does take a bit of time to get your mind around the value of it when you’re first introduced.
Once you have a “tribe” of followers - clients, prospects, constituents, you name it - it is a very powerful communication tool. We’ve got it connected to our Word Press blog so our blog post instantly hit Twitter. Brilliant!
For myself, I feel more connected to the people I follow and like I am getting the scoop before others do.
By the way, you can follow me at http://www.twitter.com/clickforclients
September 4th, 2008 at 12:36 pm
I’ve been Twittering for a bit over a month now, and it *has* brought me new subscribers AND new paying clients. (I track the source of all new leads).
Just like small business blogging, the key is to be *strategic* about how you Twitter, and to make *meaningful* connections with other Twitter users.
The kinds of posts I’ve found to be most effective is a combination of:
- quick tips for biz owners (my market)
- talking about what projects I’m working on
- talking about what other entrepreneurs are going (reciprocal promotion)
- links to resources with a short description of the link
- what article I’m about to publish in my newsletter (that always brings more subscribers immediately)
… and intersperse those with few personal tidbits about me, the antics of my adorable niece/nephew (age 3 and 1), and my ongoing war with a loud cricket hiding in a crevice of my home office (nicknamed “Satan Cricket”).
For more impact, integrate your Twitter updates to your blog (just cut and paste the code from your Twitter “Settings” into your blog sidebar).
Twitter is NOT a waste of time!
See my example and follow me here:
http://www.Twitter.com/EcommerceDiva
Have a great day!
Jamila White
The E-Commerce Diva(tm)
http://www.ecommercediva.com
http://www.bootstrapbabes.com
*as seen in Entrepreneur Magazine*
September 4th, 2008 at 12:45 pm
I have been using twitter for a couple months and I love it. It is addictive but you have to prioritize what you are doing through the day. In my using twitter, I have met (online) several people that want to learn more about my product and want to try it out just by my geniune conversation and through learning about me thru my blog. I have business friends and personal friends I have met through twitter. I have received assistance through the people I follow that I would not have received through another social media. I am learning to get anything we want, we have to work hard at it. All things are possible if we try. And after we have tried and we find out it does not work, then we should move on.
September 4th, 2008 at 1:20 pm
I like twitter.
Indeed social networking takes time,but you should reach out to others and be patient.Visit their websites,and leave a comment,that’s the whole purpose of social networking.
Squidoo and twitter work nice together
Now you can follow me if you want:)
September 4th, 2008 at 1:24 pm
Just saw this article on Social Fatigue…
Are You Still Listening?
A theme that’s been circulating around these days is something people are calling “Social Fatigue” or being overwhelmed by the amount of information being sent your way through all of your social networks.
Today Jesse Stay wrote a post on louisgray.com, taking a deeper look into the problem by asking the question “Are Your Followers Actually Listening?”
Jesse argues that one of the primary reasons most people use social networks is “to interact with new people and expand your current network of connections.” That makes sense. And if Jesse is right then that means most people’s friends lists are constantly expanding. And this poses a serious problem: all of our networks will eventually reach a tipping point where it’s just no longer feasible to really listen to what everyone in your network is saying.
We’re already beginning to hear a lot of people say that they feel like their conversations have begun to diminish in services like Twitter due in part to the fact that they are getting bogged down with too many updates. Yesterday FriendFeed gave us a look into how they are attempting to solve the problem by adding the ability to group your friends into lists. It’s a simple and effective solution.
Since Yoono aggregates all of your networks we are also wrestling with this very same problem, but on a larger level. We want to make it as easy as possible for you to listen to your networks and respond through the right channels. So we want to hear from you. How would you prefer to manage your contact lists? Would you like to be able to put any contact, no matter the social network, in a customizable list? Or do you prefer to keep your contacts listed by network?
September 4th, 2008 at 2:47 pm
Rich, this is a great topic. And I love your idea of creating widgets that our business clients can use to both promote themselves and our businesses. I’ll definitely use it for myself!
I also want to add another perspective to your message. Only a short four months ago I was probably the biggest sceptic when it comes to social media marketing. In fact, I wrote a post articulating why I thought it was a waste of time (http://www.infoprofitinsider.com/2008/04/23/social-networking-business-boost-or-bust) But since April I’ve studied everything I could on this topic and our businesses now generates between $10K to $15K per month just from Facebook and Twitter alone.
Here are three most important lessons I learned in the process:
1) Once you learn the system and the rules of social networking you can easily find and start attracting the type of followers who are your ideal potential customers
2) Most of the activities involved in building and maintaining your social network can be automated and delegated - so it only takes me about 15-30 minutes per day to keep up with a network that has exploded to over 4,000 people in just four months.
3) The social networking environment allows me to let people get to know the real me - which I found is the key to building trust and developing long-term, profitable business relationships. Plus, I’ve been able to make connections with a lot of like-minded entrepreneurs with whom we are now forming strategic alliances - and it’s all happening with record speed because of the connection on Twitter or Facebook.
Bottom line, in just a few short months I went from skeptic to evangelist when it comes to social media marketing. And I encourage every entrepreneur to seriously explore how to use social media and social networking sites to expend their marketing reach.
Best,
Adam Urbanski
http://www.twitter/adamurbanski
September 5th, 2008 at 2:32 pm
I was one of those people that didn’t think twitter was useful. I finally signed up and use it all the time.
It helps me stay current on some of my favorite bloggers and podcasters and stay in touch with people that live in different cities.
It has help get the word out about my business.
I use twitterrfic on the iphone so I don’t even have to be around a computer.
And just integerated my 12 second account which allow me to post small video to twitter as.
terrenceshaw is my twitter name
September 6th, 2008 at 11:49 pm
I use Twitter and I find it to be a viable and useful tool. Let’s face it, any ‘free’ site that helps you interact with others is useful to a blogger or someone who has a site (or lens if you’re with squidoo) in order to ‘get the word out’. It does not take a lot of time, contrary to some of the comments I’m reading here. My twitter account is http://www.twitter.com/gypsyman27
I encourage my fellow entrepreneurs to give Twitter a try.
September 10th, 2008 at 3:23 pm
Speaking as a consumer, I would like to point out that you want to make it as easy as possible for potential clients and customers to find you.
I build a lot of Squidoo lenses, some of which are on specific companies and products. It frustrates me to no end when I put together a great lens on a great company, and then am unable to include the Twitter-follow module for that company.
People will happily add you as a friend on Twitter when they won’t sign up for your newsletter. Even keeping an account just for Tweeting updates to your website/blog/products, or occasionally asking for opinions will be a help. You can set up a program to automatically tweet when you write a new blog post. There is no reason to not provide information to your customers.