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Twitter Business Guide

Twitter for business

Thinking of using Twitter for business, but not sure where to start and how to make it work? It’s very different to Facebook and can appear a little complicated and dull, but don’t let that put you off, as the rewards are great. Bookmark this article for your step-by-step guide to using Twitter.

Why Twitter?

Twitter is the perfect social media platform to promote your blog and your business. With a few tips it’s possible to build your brand and share your expertise. The social network is used by millions of people, with thousands more signing up on a daily basis in order to send short messages to their followers and find out what their friends are saying.

As a Twitter user, you are able to post updates – tweets of 140 characters or less, follow other Twitter users with similar interests and view their updates. You will also have the ability to send public replies or a private direct message to other Twitter followers.

 

Step-by-Step Twitter Guide

1. Create a Twitter profile -  http://www.twitter.co.uk
Open a Twitter account, create a suitable username and add contact information in the ‘settings’ section. Upload a photo and add a bio within the profile settings and also a link to your website. The design tab allows a choice of different backgrounds and design colours. When you’re happy with each section simply click on ‘save’.

2. Grow your network
Making new friends and contacts that share your interest will help to expand your network fast and easily. Click on the ‘Who to Follow’ link to find other interesting Twitter users, from here there are various options, including ‘Browse Interests’. When you find someone you want to follow click the green circle with the + sign, it will then say ‘following’ and you will now see all their tweets.
The black figure next to follow has the following options:

  • Mention = tweet them directly
  • Add to list = add them to a list that you have created
  • Block  = block them from seeing your tweets
  • Report = report them for spam.

When you start to follow people you should also begin to gain some followers.

3. An overview of your Twitter home page

  • Timeline – shows the tweets of people that you are following.
  • @Mentions – see all of the messages you’ve received
  • Retweets – see retweets by others, retweets by you or your tweets retweeted
  • Searches – shows all the searches that you have done
  • Lists – any lists that you have created will be here, you also have the option of creating more lists

4. Messages

Sending messages – Type your message in the ‘What’s happening?’ box and click on ‘Tweet’…Simple!!

Direct message- in order to send a message to someone directly add @ in front of their twitter name, like this @SEOPlusMore (that’s me!) and then type the message in the usual way.

 

Reply to a Tweet – move your mouse underneath the tweet and the following options will appear – Favorite, Retweet, and Reply.

  • Reply – a box pops up for you to type your message.
  • Favorite – allows you to add this tweet in your favorites to look at later
  • Retweet – send the tweet out again to your followers from you.

Direct Messages

Clicking on this tab will allow you to see all your private messages from your followers and also gives you the option of sending private messages

5. Making your Tweets work
Keeping it relevant and natural is essential for effective marketing on Twitter.. Promote your blog but don’t stuff your profile with non-relevant links as this will have a negative affect and lead to people un-following you and you will lose traffic as a result.

6. RT, @, #, DM
Twitter lingo… help! Learn from Twitter’s glossary here – http://business.twitter.com/basics/glossary.

The last few words…
Remember to share interesting ideas, links and information on Twitter, as this will help you to gain exposure and promote yourself in your area of expertise. Follow interesting people and be interesting. Interact with your followers and build relationships. Ask questions… people love sharing their opinions. Give relevant advice and Tweet about other people’s stuff too.

Phew… I think that covers all the basics! Happy Tweeting!!
If you get stuck message me @SEOPlusMore and I’ll help you figure it out!

 

 

 

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