Twitter for Business

Twitter for Business (originally presented at BYU on March 12, 2009)

(click on the play button below):

What is Twitter?

Microblogging. It’s like a series of Facebook status updates in 140 characters, but better: more interactive, more open. Combines elements of StumbleUpon, Facebook, Email, IM, social/business mixers, and blogging.

Why should I be on Twitter?

It’s the fastest way to share and get information on the web. It takes time at first to build up followers and a good list of followees, but once you’re established, you can do anything on Twitter.

If you want to have any sort of online presence, you should start with Twitter (which can automatically update your Facebook account and your blog, so it’s really not adding too much extra effort).

What can I do with Twitter?

Network. Connect with people across the world (@Kirstyt in AUS) and locally (@sahans in UT).  (e.g. Why I’m here instead of @StartupPrincess tonight).

Share stories/pictures/ideas. Send news articles (shorten links using tinyurl.com or tr.im), upload photos (twitpic.com), or take a poll to see if an idea is interesting

Promote your product/website/brand. Tweet giveaways, events, sales, links to special posts. When people offer to stumble, don’t be shy.

Provide customer Service. Set up an RSS feed for your brand name on search.twitter.com. (e.g. Chris Brogan)

Build Relationships. Have real people (more than one, if possible) at your company tweet. Be personable and likeable (use humor). Interact, link to other companies.

Find mentors/sponsors. Follow people who are doing what you want to be doing, or who give opportunities to the people who are doing what you want to be doing. (e.g. Leapfrog, @morethanmommy).

Where should I start?

Sign up on Twitter, then explore the different platforms to access Twitter (on the web, on your iGoogle homepage, on your phone, on your desktop). Find an app that works for you. Many people like Tweetdeck and Twhirl. Iphone users like Twitterfon. I use BeTwittered — a gadget on my iGoogle homepage.

Add followers, but do it slowly, trying to keep your followers and followees pretty equal. And tweet — at least once a day, so you don’t look like a bot.

Want to know more? Try these:

How To Twitter (Wall Street Journal)  (Note on settings — WSJ is mistaken. You can (now) determine whether you get all @replies or none, or only those that are between people, both of whom you follow).

50 Ideas on Using Twitter for Business (Chris Brogan)

And because this is BYU, have you read Elder Ballard’s Sharing the Gospel using the Internet? You should!

Make sure that the choices you make in the use of new media are choices that expand your mind, increase your opportunities, and feed your soul.

Amen!