Jul
Why Small Business Owners Should Twitter
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Recently I had hosted a social media presentation at a One More Referral “Brown Bag” business development luncheon. I had presented to a group of 95 New Hampshire and Maine small business professionals who were very eager to learn about how social media could better their businesses.
During the presentation I spoke about the benefits of Facebook, LinkedIn, and Twitter. Following the presentation, I have received lots of Facebook friends and LinkedIn connections, but only two new Twitter followers. Many of the survey responses were also super positive, but I did see one comment over and over. “I just don’t understand the benefits to Twitter.”
Well, as a small business owner, I have found Twitter to be very helpful as far as growing my business. Not only have I received increased traffic to my website, but I have also learned a lot from those that I follow.
For example:
- @smallbiztrends (Anita Campbell, CEO of an online community) tweets include small business marketing tips, product info and other tidbits to help small business grow and more.
- @SmallBizTools tweets include advice, tips, and tools for entrepreneurs, freelancers, and small business owners.
- @mainebusiness (Carl V. Natale, content producer for MaineBusiness.com) tweets about lots of useful tips to improve your business. From marketing to social media, to business growth and taxes – he covers it all)
Others to follow include:
And, of course, yours truly @PattiFousek
Just remember…. Not only can you learn from those you follow on Twitter, but your followers can learn from you too. And… it’s fun.
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13 Responses to “Why Small Business Owners Should Twitter”
Hi Patti. Great information. I agree that it is difficult to ‘figure’ all of this out but it really is basic networking except in a different format…I haven’t quite figured Twitter out but know that by following others forging ahead such as yourself I will learn. Thank you for keeping us in the loop on important information –Genevieve, A Perfect Move
Thanks for your comment Genevieve. You’re absolutely correct… social networking is basic networking but virtual. It opens so many new doors that otherwise may never have been opened. Keep up the good work. — Patti
Patti, Great suggestions. I can’t wait to check out the Twitterers that you provided! I just started Twitter for my company this week and am just learning the basics. The hardest part for me is patience – I want my network built and I want it now! But I realize this isn’t going to happen overnight and is going to require more work on my part. It’s actually quite fun, though, and I’m beginning to think those that don’t believe they’ll benefit are impatient like I was! But, as you said, one of the greatest things is learning from your followers.
Thanks for the great post!
Thanks Kate!
Hi Patti:
After attending your Part II seminar for One More Referral today, I am more pumped up about blogging and Twittering in general. I think it’s the sort of marketing that I have to look at as a whole…not to get caught up focusing on just one aspect of social media but to participate a little bit in each aspect of social media, including Twitter. I’ll be sure to check out those Twitters! Thanks!
Marilee
Great post! I’m sorry I had to miss the OMR Brown Bags on Social Networking. I’ve been on Twitter a few months and really enjoy it. I’m finding it a great way to get viewers to my blog and hopefully from there to my website. I’ve been able to partner with another business owner on Twitter already. I look forward to following your blog.
Gail
Twitter: @cprmom
Linked In: Gail Klanchesser
Facebook: Gail Klanchesser
Facebook: Coastal CPR & First Aid
nice way to help people get started with twitter – thanks for sharing
Thanks for all the great comments. I’m looking forward to reading your Tweets!
Great information! Two other websites that are helpful for Small Business and Start ups are http://www.businessownersideacafe.com (or @boic on Twitter) and http://www.sbinformer.com (or @SBInformer on twitter).
This is my first time comment at your blog.
Good recommended website.
Just old-fashioned networking overlaid on a new medium. Some of my best business came from people I would have never reached without SMM. Most were a natural outgrowth of a conversation started in one SM outlet or another.
Drop me a line for some really cool ideas working here. http://bulbwired.com
Patti, I am an active twitter user and have gained a lot of good traffic for my site as well. Thanks to social networking sites for this.
Thanks for your comment, James. PS. Let me know what your Twitter name is and I’ll follow you!