Although Twitter may be seen as a bunch of noise and useless tweets, Twitter can be utilized to be a powerful business tool. More than 32 million registered users, ranging from celebrities, government officials, and companies like Dell and Zappos, have seen Twitter’s true potential as a successful social media marketing tool. In fact, most business should have an account on Twitter for the following reasons:
- Interaction with Customers
Twitter can be used as a free business tool to continue existing relationships with customers than to use traditional means, such as direct mail, trade shows, or newsletters.
- Interaction with Prospects
Potential customers will look into different areas of your business. If you display strong feedback and responsiveness, potential customers will see these actions as good customer service and may become part of your customer base.
- Influence the Influencers
This means that you can draw attention from people within your industry, bloggers, etc., by tweeting things of their interests or retweeting their tweets. In turn, they may tweet, talk, or blog about your company to their network.
- Gain Market Intelligence
Since a variety of users are using Twitter, you can gain insight on the market by monitoring topics being discussed in the industry. Thus, you can stay ahead of the competition and predict possible trends.
- Become a Resource
By sharing your thoughts, insights, and leadership about the industry, people will view your company as an information-rich resource.
- Give the Business a Personality
As we’ve mentioned before about Zappos, Tony Hsieh has successfully integrated Twitter with Zappos to involve its customers. Although a company website offers contact and communication, Twitter acts as an immediate conversational tool that is informal and personal, and make it something people are more prone to use due for its free-flowing nature.
- Be Part of the Conversation
Your customers, potential customers, competitors and industry are already using and engaged in conversations on Twitter. Be part of it because your absence from Twitter may have dire effects on your company.
Although Twitter’s 140 character maximum and excessive spam marketers may seem a bit stifling, businesses like Zappos and Dell have been able to see and use the real potential that Twitter has to offer.
