What's the fuss about Twitter?
Thursday, 20 October 2011 08:08
I attend a great number of networking events, both through Business Networking International (BNI) and a range of other less formal organisations.
Time and time again, I hear the same refrain from people in business. They'll say 'I really can't see the point of Twitter', then go on to tell me that it's only used by bored celebs and those with nothing better to do with their time.
Like any other form of marketing or indeed new technology, Twitter can seem very confusing to those who don't understand how it works and the powerful opportunities it presents to businesses.
Twitter started out as no more than a advanced form of texting but over time has morphed into a highly effective, highly targeted marketing tool. To illustrate this, I will use some of my own case studies:
- I 'met' my copywriter (@shreenas), book-keeper (@bookkeepingrog) and office share (@shopperanonkent) as a result of networking on Twitter. The initial contacts were all online but moved to the real world and real business relationships.
- I won my biggest client indirectly from the site. Starting out by asking for PR agencies who specialised in promoting design agencies, I started communicating with the PR consultancy Wriglesworth (@wriglesworth) who then introduced me to the estate agent Cluttons.
- I stay in touch with businesses in my local area. There are two informal social groups in Tunbridge Wells called Twuttle & Twuddle (www.twuttle.com). These meet regularly and are made up of people on Twitter who want to meet for coffee or a drink.
- I keep up to date with all the latest trends in online marketing and social media by following the key thought leaders from the UK and around the world in those subjects. This is by far the simplest way to stay on top of your game.
- Over 5% of the traffic to my website has been driven from Twitter. As I am active on the site and regularly post updates, it means I am more visible and am effectively advertising my company's website. This means that potential customers are being sent through to my site.
- Using the BNI givers gain principle (I give you business, you'll give me business back), I use Twitter to promote those people and businesses who are within my network. As a result, these associates will get referrals and potential business leads.
