How to Use Twitter to Market Your Business

If you’re like a lot of people who consider themselves to be novices when it comes to the wide, wonderful world of social media, you might think that twitters and tweets are those delightful sounds made by birds outside your window on a beautiful spring morning.

In fact, Twitter is also the name of an online social media service where people with similar interests can network with each other and share their thoughts. When used effectively as a marketing tool, Twitter can also help boost your company’s sales, which is sure to have you chirping a happy tune!

How Does Twitter Work, Anyway?

To enter the world of Twitter, you simply need to log on to Twitter.com and set up a free account. You’ll then be able to post your thoughts, feelings and ideas about anything your heart desires in a message known as a “tweet” for all other Twitter users to see. Keep in mind, though, that brevity is the key, as your tweets must consist of 140 characters or less. If you’re normally long-winded, you might have to practice a bit at developing the fine art of getting to the point!

How Do I Market with Twitter?

The cool thing about Twitter is that it can be used as a marketing tool for virtually any type of business, ranging from collectibles to kitchen appliances. You can start by creating a profile page that explains about your company, its products and services and some biographical information about yourself.

With Twitter, you can easily locate individuals and communities with similar interests and that might benefit from what your business has to offer. By “following” these people, you’ll be able to receive their tweets as soon as they send them. They can also follow you in return, allowing you to build your own Twitter community.

Creating Your Tweets

You can use Twitter for marketing purposes in a number of ways. For example, if your business involves selling KitchenAid appliances, you can create tweets offering brief tips about maintenance or product selection. You’ll develop credibility and establish yourself as an expert in your field, which can eventually lead to more sales.

You can also promote your business with Twitter, such as when tweeting about a new product or service you’ve added and including a link to your website. However, you should avoid using Twitter to only promote what you sell, as this could be viewed as “spamming,” a Twitter no-no. The best practice is to create a mix of promotional, informational and entertaining tweets.

Feel Free to Tweet Away

Now that you know the basics about using Twitter to market your business, you’re ready to set up your own Twitter account. Happy tweeting!

This guest post was written by Shane Jones, who enjoys blogging about ways owners of businesses like selling appliances, especially kitchen appliances, can use social media to generate sales.

10 Things You Shouldn't Tweet

Twitter, the forth most visited website in the world, is a fantastic micro blogging and social networking tool by which to easily transmit a simple message out to the world, and in lightning quick time. Twitter gives ordinary people a chance to be part of the lives of celebrities and, the rich and famous, or anyone we choose to follow and receive their updates.

Like anything popular, there's usually a dark side. Local authorities across a host of countries are reporting sharp increases in litigation proceedings being levelled against social networking bullies and slanderers. Here's a list of 10 things you should never Tweet about so you don't end up in jail!

1/ Don't be a kiss and tell. Don't send out blow-by-blow updates when you're dating someone. Refrain from updating your followers as to how your date is progressing.

2/ Not so long ago, a pregnant woman live-tweeted the birth. Needless to say, the Internet folk wasn't very impressed, or kind!
3/ Don't Tweet pictures or images of your own 'bits' or worse, someone else's!

4/ Going to a wedding? or perhaps you had other plans and were unavailable to attend? either way, a nice congratulations for @Mr.and Mrs. after the vows are exchanged is appropriate, but sending out updates during the wedding is just tacky!

5/ Tweeting your email address and mobile number. If you are compelled to, use your spam email address so you can send your junk to the trash.

6/ Tweeting out of impulse by telling your followers how angry you are and trash-talking the person you're dating, your mum, buddy, boss or pet cat. Before you Tweet in anger, take 20 deep breaths and ponder the repercussions.

7/ Road rage. Telling your followers that the guy in the car ahead of you in the traffic is a complete xxxx-head!! Why? Because he might be one of your followers - oops!

8/ Don't Tweet about anything you'd basically hesitate to say to someone's face and in person. No-one likes a keyboard warrior.

9/ Don't Tweet about work or from a work conference: "OMG I just won the award for most improved salesman, I totally owned the acceptance speech!!!!"...Seriously, no-one gives a crap.

10/ And last but not least, our 10th most despised don't do Twitter moment! -  Tweeting about Twitter!!! "Twitter is so freakn excellent, I'm following Charlie Sheen, Oprah, Angelina Jolie, and I just became Mick Jagger's one millionth follower ;)" PLEASE GET A LIFE!

The article author, Matt Fuller, writes about a variety of topics pertaining to free dating sites in Australia, social media news, relationships and dating advice, and dating sites Australia reviews.