Twitter Etiquette – Dos and Don’ts of Using Twitter as a Marketing Tool

Wed, Dec 16, 2009

Similar to a cocktail party, Twitter has become the hot spot for everyone seeking news, friendships and everything in between. Using Twitter as a marketing tool, therefore, is an excellent way to introduce your business to people who need your products and services.

But using Twitter as a marketing tool does not involve setting up a free account and lobbing tweets about your business to everyone you can find. Twitter marketing requires a soft touch that attracts qualified buyers and convinces them to purchase from you. Here are a few pieces of advice that I picked up when I learned how to Twitter that will help you make the most of this social media juggernaut.

Mmm, Twitter. Delicious.

Don’t Spam Your Followers

The very first misstep that almost every new Twitter marketer makes is using the social networking service like a bullhorn to shout their sales message to their followers all day every day. Not only is this annoying, you will almost certainly alienate the very people you are trying to attract because they will think you are a spammer.

It is perfectly alright to promote yourself on Twitter. But you must maintain balance if you want to use Twitter as a marketing tool. Twitter marketing is about striking up a conversation with your followers that eventually leads to an opportunity to sell to them. Therefore, you want to create a well rounded profile that includes relevant content and interactions with other members in addition to your sales proposals. Your followers will grow to trust you which will have them turning to you when they need the product you sell.

Don’t Auto Direct Message

Twitter allows members to send private messages to each other via their Direct Messaging function. You are still limited to 140 characters but you can use the feature to contact other members without cluttering up your Twitter stream or exposing sensitive information. Unfortunately, some people have taken to sending automatic direct messages with links to affiliate products or their websites whenever someone follows them.

While it is certainly good manners to thank someone for becoming a follower, sending an automatic message to do it is an insult. Especially if you send links or the message is promotional in nature. That’s like saying hello to someone but instead of greeting you back, they immediately try to sell you car insurance. It’s just rude.

If you don’t have the time to craft individual welcome messages to your followers then don’t send anything. It’s better to say nothing at all than to create a bad impression right out of the gate.

Do Post Quality Content

There is a lot of noise on the internet and, to effectively use Twitter as a marketing tool, you must think of yourself as a radio station that broadcasts on the only channel your followers listen to- WIIFM (What’s In It For Me). To stand out from the other “broadcasters” on Twitter, you must post good quality content that fulfills your “listeners” needs.

People use Twitter for a variety of reasons. Some want to keep up on the news in the world, some use it to find helpful information on a topic and others are just plain bored. Usually it is a combination of all these things. Good Twitter marketing involves finding out what your target audience wants and giving it to them.

Do Create Relationships

It is much easier to convince someone to buy from you if they trust you. That trust only comes from their experience with you and the relationship you have developed with each other. Creating relationships means you have to go beyond using Twitter as a marketing tool and take the time to get to know your fellow Tweeters. In the long run, this will help you service their needs better which always translates into more sales.

It’s true that Twitter marketing will drive the traffic and sales you need to make your online business a success but only if you make an effort to do it in a way that respects your customers. I have been getting fantastic results using Twitter as a marketing tool to attract customers and prospects to my online shopping business. Visit RockYourBusinessOnline.com to learn how these techniques can take your business to the next level.

(photo credit: topgold @ Flickr)