One More Reason Your Business Should Be On Twitter

February 2009 Twestival Cleveland

After attending my first tweetup (that’s twitter speak for meeting other Twitter users in person) last week, as a part of Twestival (how can anyone compete with that type of branding, twantastic! , it prompted me to do some updated research about using Twitter for business. In this post I’ll share a pretty compelling stat I found, as well as how you can get started with Twitter.  If you are unsure if Twitter can be used for your business read on.

One More Reason Your Business Should Be On Twitter

Some Recent Twitter Demographics

According to a recent study by Pew Internet 11% of online adults use Twitter, and when segmenting further the numbers indicate that 1 in 5 online adults age 18-34 use Twitter.

(Sidebar: There are even dogs on Twitter! though that is not in the report)

Is Twitter for Business?

If you have prospects and buyers that fall in that age group you need to consider a Twitter marketing strategy.  You may find your competitors already using Twitter for business.  You might be saying, “I cannot get my head around this, how can I begin to use Twitter for my business when it is being used by so many to talk about their latest lunch, song they’re listening to, and other trivial matters?”  Perhaps that is because those individuals do it for fun, and not with a Twitter marketing strategy or social media optimization in mind.

Consider this chart:

Why Is Twitter Necessary?

Welcome to Web 2.0: Messages now have to meet the market on their terms, not ours.  Small businesses that take steps in putting their message on the mediums users want.  With the right social marketing plan, Internet marketing entrepreneurs have a chance to cultivate relationships, and outsell competitors who choose to sit on the sidelines.  Those who make Twitter an active part of their Twitter marketing strategy will be more relevant to their market.

How Can I Get Started with Twitter for Business?

1.) Setup an account at Twitter.com
2.) Follow someone you know (you can even follow me if you like)
3.) Search Twitter for your market keywords at search.twitter.com
4.) Follow people who are saying interesting stuff, that you think would add value.  Consider how you can get started by adding value to folks that follow you.

What Say You? Whether you are using Twitter for business, or have you never heard of it until now, share your thoughts in the comment boxes below.  Using it?  How?  Do you have a Twitter marketing strategy?

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