I met with a potential client yesterday and she said she’s had a lot of luck in using Facebook to get new business. She understood the concepts of friends, fans, and joining groups to communicate and connect with people. But Twitter was a mystery for her. She set up a Twitter account, but doesn’t know how to use it to gain new business. She knew it could be used for business because a family member had success using it to build his business. So how is Twitter Different than Facebook?
What is Twitter, Exactly?
Twitter is a website and service that allows you to send 140 character messages to your Twitter page and to people who are following you. The 140 character limit is due to Twitter originally being used via SMS messaging on cell phones (which have a character limit).
Sounds like Facebook status updates…
Twitter messages (or tweets) are similar to Facebook status updates in that they are displayed on your Twitter page, as well as on the Twitter pages of people who follow you. In this way, Tweets are similar to updating your wall on Facebook.
So, how is Twitter Different?
Unlike Facebook, Tweets are also available (and searchable) on the Internet (unless you’ve made your updates private), which means you have a much wider audience on Twitter than Facebook. People who are following you on Twitter get your updates, but people who aren’t following you can also see your updates if they happen to do a search or look at your Twitter page. Because Twitter is much more open, it’s easier to have conversations with lots of participants, as well as connecting with new people. Also, Twitter, unlike Facebook, allows you to put your Twitter content just about anywhere (including Facebook), whereas Facebook wants all the content to stay there (and for you to put outside content there too).
Using Twitter as part of a social media plan
Like any social media, Twitter has its limitations and its uses, and is best used as part of an overall social media strategy. Twitter is great for connecting with a wider audience and for offering up useful information in order to build your brand and reputation. Some of what you do on Twitter can also be promoting your own stuff and sending people back to your home base (blog, website, where ever you want people to eventually end up). Although, as with any social media, the best use is mostly for giving, connecting, and having conversations, as opposed to broadcasting and advertising.
How do you use Twitter for your business?
Technorati tags: twitter, marketing, sales, social networking, business, reputation, branding, brand, brand strategy, brand management
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