Many companies include Twitter within their social media digital marketing strategies. Smaller businesses use it to build contacts, find contracts and make sales. Big brand names utilise it akin to a miniature blog in order to enhance reputation and raise awareness. Regardless of the goal everyone has to take that first step. And while some (even big brands) are very cautious of doing so, it is in the digital marketing interest of most businesses to do so.

The Fundamentals

Everything new seems strange at first: As does Twitter. However, it is a simple platform: Utilising it adeptly is the real challenge. The most fundamental feature of Twitter is the ability to stream updates/comments to your followers. It is also possible stream a specific comment to a single follower as well as a private message direct. The ‘hashtag’ is Twitter’s new search feature. Now followers can search the latest topics using # followed by the search phrase. ALL these functions can be used to enhance a businesses digital marketing campaign.

Goals

It is important to have clear set goals. How else can you know you’re on target? Are you aiming to build one-on-one relationships and drive business? Or out to market a big brand name and drive traffic to a website? Just Twittering because everyone else is will do little to help your social media digital marketing efforts.

First Impressions

As ever, they do count. Ensure your profile is updated and customise your page: It looks more professional. This may well be their first interaction and so impression of you or the brand your represent: So make it good.

Who’s Talking?

TweetDeck allows you to monitor any Tweets which mention your account name, staff, brand and/or products as they happen. If a Tweet is positive a thank-you can make it even more so. If it is negative, address the problem. Twitter is conversational, so converse and ALWAYS be polite – Even the most disgruntled critic can be turned around with some positive action.

Who Wants Spam?

Even some big brand names have fallen because they were intrusive. This is a social network which means you need to socialise. Simply following hundreds of people is considered Spamming – Even if you are not piling on the sales pitches. Twitter is about quality not quantity. Automated blog tweets and auto-following fellow Tweeters can soon earn you a Spam label. Spammy sales pitches will neither enhance you or your brand image: Nor will it win followers or help your digital marketing efforts. A few links, comments, ideas and even the occasional promotion will.

Spreading The Word

The bottom line you need to remember? What and why would anyone follow you on Twitter? News? Inspiration? Humor? Tips and Tricks? Discounts? There has to be something! Else it’s just Spam…. At first followers will be thin on the ground: Therefore, ReTweets can significantly enhance your social media digital marketing efforts by spreading the word: So make those Tweets valuable and worth doing so. Keep it short and easy.

Get Twitter wrong and life could be very difficult. Bad news moves fast and the same can be said of Tweets. Although it also has to be said, omitting social media from your digital marketing is worse that doing it badly…..

Qudos Digital is a leading Digital Marketing Consultancy and can be contacted on 0845 388 5583 or info@qudosdigital.co.uk