Only a decade ago, it seemed implausible that large audiences would flock online to find out what they’re favorite singer just ate or what a famed professor is currently reading. Today, however, our society has become more interwoven than ever thanks to online sites and apps such as Facebook and Twitter.
With over 500 million users and 1.6 billion search queries per day, Twitter has established itself as one of the most dominant social media sites globally. It’s imperative that in this highly competitive markert your business creates and maintains a Twitter account. Here are the seven most important reasons why Twitter is the best fit for any company.
1) Customer Contact & Out Reach
This may be the most important reason for any business to create a Twitter account. Twitter allows you to reach out to potential customers directly in a bid for their patronage. It also allows you to reach new demographics of clientele you may have not even known existed. Customers will view your Twitter more as a “friend” and less as a business. By creating a Twitter that responds to customer questions and interacts with your online fan base, you humanize your company and create more followers who will advertise for you.
2) The Hashtag Effect
“Hashtagging” has become a popular past time for many Twitter users. The hashtags allow you to track and join, in real time conversations about your business or industry. You can see an aggregate of times people have posted about your business and what they’ve had to say by searching for relevant Hashtags. You can use this to respond directly to both negative and positive comments in order to rectify any situations that, unbeknownst to you, have created upset customers.
3) Branding
You may not be a multinational corporation like Starbucks, but Twitter places you on level footing with every other company using the service. Creative campaigns can be run directly through twitter to increase followers and awareness for your product. Create unique hashtags that customers can use when following you. These can be in reference to a special promotion or a weekly event your company has. (Examples: #SundayFunday, #BillsColadaCoolers) When enough people begin using them, they may “trend” in your area or even globally. That means that others who may have never heard of your service are receiving these Tweets about you. It’s free advertising.
4) Marketing
There’s no need to spend large sums of money on online advertisements or cheesy commercials. Let Twitter do the work for you. All new marketing campaigns should be rolled out online simultaneously with the store. Coupons, specials and new products or services can all be linked to specialized hash tags that appeal to potential customers. Some companies on Twitter hold contests as well. What’s the prize? Being featured on your Twitter, of course! Ask people to tweet their own ads that they’ve made for your company or what their favorite aspect of your business is.You can share these tweets and your followers feel more connected.
5) SEO Juice
For every tweet you post with a link and for every retweet and favorite you receive from your followers you are adding ‘SEO Juice’ to your website. Google automatically looks at this and thinks to itself, “this is a quality link and it is being shared quite often, there must be valuable content”. So get tweeting!
6) Being A Follower
I know it may go against most business sense but being a follower is extremely important. When a user sees that a business has followed them they immediately feel valued and special, and it can encourage them to follow you back. Being social isn’t one sided, so you need to talk and follow people back. When I see business or people have 2k followers and only follow 100 people, I think to myself… “What a douche”.
Also you can learn a lot from many of your customers by the tweets they send. What does your average demographic do with their day? Where do they stop for lunch, what happens when they get off of work? By following those who follow you, you get some insight on the grievances your customers may have with other services that will allow you to better curtail your company to the average customer’s needs. Being a follower now can help you to become a leader in the long run.
7) Building A Solid Digital Presence
Twitter is one of the hottest social networking platforms on the planet right now. Potential clients who may not even use the service will still take note that you’re competitive socially. Every major companies from YouTube to Google has a regularly updated Twitter account. By following their example, you’re putting yourself on the front lines of marketing and showing customers that you’re utilizing every possible method to better serve them.