Image via Wikipedia
Of all the online tools that are available to small businesses to create a community of clients/customers, Twitter is both the best and the most misused.
It is the best tool because (1) It is free for you and your customers/clients; (2) It provides “mobile” access to your customers/clients; (3) It gives you the ability to create “Twitter specials” that you can send out when you need to increase your business traffic; (4) It allows you “real time” feedback to new ideas or innovations; and (5) It gives you the ability to respond quickly to any negative information you see online about you, or your company.
It is the most misused tool because (1) Too many businesses try too hard to sell with Twitter rather than to carry on a conversation with their clients/customers; (2) Too many businesses don’t know what to talk about on Twitter, so they don’t talk about anything important; (3) Too many businesses don’t understand how Twitter allows them to watch their business reputation so they don’t make use of that option.
Twitter, like any tool, is only as good as the one who wields it. If you take time to learn the “tricks of Twitter” you will have a power business success tool at your disposal.
Twitter is a great tool. Realtors use it wrongly and are very salesy on twitter. This is wrong. Social networking involves conversations and engagement. That is the only way to gain trust from your clients and they will eventually buy from you.
Gabrielle – having been a Realtor, I understand your comment completely. But, Realtors are not the only ones who misuse Twitter. It is true of sales people across all industries. Even “Twitter Gurus” trying to sell their training programs, books, etc. find themselves on the wrong side of the “salesy” tweet! Thanks for adding to the conversation on this subject.