How to Use Twitter As a Marketing Tool

Are you using Twitter yet? More and more Internet marketers are using Twitter as a marketing/public relations tool, and I don't think we've even tapped the surface. Here are some ways to use Twitter to help grow your business.

Build Your Network

• Decide whether you want to market yourself or your company.
• Personalize your account by setting up your profile
• Find friends to follow through your email contacts
• Find other top Twitter users to follow in your niche
• Follow thought-leaders and the people thought-leaders follow (you can always un-follow them)
• Get involved in networks where very thoughtful conversations are happening
• Get involved in conversations already happening

Engage With Your Community

• Jump into the conversation - remember that it's a discussion, not a broadcast tool
• Follow people who follow you
• Publish helpful content - give people a reason to follow you
• Use Twitter for events
• Take online relationships to an offline "Tweetup"
• Don't "tweet" your intimate personal information. Be discreet

Track and Analyze

• Measure your Twitter accounts influence
• Measure your ongoing sales activity

Use Tools

• Set up your blog feed to automatically send posts to Twitter

Don't Spam or Abuse

• Be respectful and don't "over-tweet"
• Don't use links that point to phishing sites, malware, or other harmful material
• "Tweet" about other things than your business
• Don't follow a large number of people in a short amount of time
• Don't "re-tweet" (poach other users' updates)

It's easy and free to set up your Twitter account. Use the tips above and you will get a lot out of Twitter and grow your business social network. Happy tweeting!

Joan Yankowitz is the The Internet Marketing Maven. Get her straight talk on Internet Marketing and Blogging free tools, best resources, product reviews, and important trends at The Internet Marketing Maven right now!