Using twitter for your business

November 1, 7:15 AMLouisville Women's Careers ExaminerNancy Hinchliff

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If you're in business now, just starting, or thinking of starting a business, you will undoubedly need to do some marketing. Most effective marketing is done on the internet today, as that's where everybody is. That being so, you better make sure you know what social media is all about, as it is today's preferred method of on-line marketing.

Twitter is one of many social media sites. The idea behind social media is to develop relationships with others, so that trust is built. Using a social media approach to marketing steers away from "in your face" advertising and relies upon revealing your business, as you would to a friend, by interacting and exchanging ideas and information.

There is a protocol on Twitter and you can learn a lot by joining, laying back and watching, and then gradually starting conversations. You can pick out who you wish to "follow" so that you can learn more about the person and his/her business. There are plenty of links, videos, and podcasts to visit (posted by members) which will give you even more info.

Another effective strategy is to read others posts and blogs to see how they interact with other members. Watch how they present their ideas and events and build interest in their particular businesses. This is really a slow process. It does not happen overnight, but it can have a big payoff.

When you begin to "follow", pick people who seem the most interesting or have something in common with you or your business. Listen to what they have to say. Go to the links they suggest, to their blogs and to their sites. Try building relationships with them and other members. Focus on utilizing the tremendous amount of info that is put out on there and not on whether or not you are getting a lot of responses or followers at the beginning. They will come later.

One respected social media expert who spends a lot of time on twitter and writes an excellent blog is Chris Brogan. He is very accessable. You can follow him, go to his blog, and leave comments. He also has a new book out entitled Trust Agents which you can check out on his blog. On November 6, 2009 he will be conducting a webinar between 10-11 AM PST. Click here to register. He will be discussing how to market your business effectively on Twitter.