How I Use Twitter
Let’s talk about Twitter. Yep. That Twitter.
OK, let’s just get this out on the table right now: Twitter is not about what you ate for lunch and yes, no one really cares what you ate for lunch. Twitter is much more than answering the question “What did you do today?” Or, at least it is now. Don’t be scared of it and certainly don’t think it’s just for 15-year-olds. Believe it or not, the average age of a Twitter user is 31! [source]
Twitter is a new form of social media in which you “follow” people and people “follow” you. Remember when “friending” was a big deal with MySpace? Well, “following” is kind of like “friending”, except that you are following their updates, as if you were subscribing to a blog. But, Twitter works both ways — it’s like your own little blog. This is why many media folks refer to it as “microblogging”.
That being said, I think you should use Twitter if you have a business, and here is why I believe so:
1. Twitter gives me instant access to companies, people, and such that were previously unreachable or untouchable. For example, I’m following Martha Stewart (@marthastewart). There is no way in heck I would ever get this close to her in any other venue unless, of course, I got really, really lucky or I was as awesome as Emily Martin. Even if Martha never answers my @ replies, I get better insight into her every day life.
2. Twitter gives me better access to my readers.
As a blogger, I use twitter in a few different ways, mostly to:
- engage in conversation with my readers
- accept tweets blog submissions
- notify readers and followers of new sales and contests
- let readers know when the blog is down/back up
- use Twitterfeed, which tweets my RSS feed right to my Twitter
3. Twitter can be used as a blog supplement, or microblog. Since Twitter limits you to 140 characters, you’re very constricted in what you can say. Therefore, I tend to just say something short and sweet with a link. You can even send your Twitter updates directly to your blog or website, and even to your Facebook status updates. It ties all your social media together to reach all your readers.
4. Twitter is mini-promotion. If you think of your blog as “big” marketing, then Twitter is “mini” marketing. Think of it like a commercial instead of an infomercial, except much more authentic, less promotional, and without Billy Mays.
So, if you’ve got a Twitter account, and want BAKERY blog updates and more, you should follow us: @thinkbakery
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Thank you for this post! I’ve been going back and forth about Twitter for some time, I didn’t see its usefulness to a blogger. This post did a good job of explaining how it can be used to help your blog, rather than replace it.
amazing advice all around TB! just when i’m in doubt, you reel it in! added bonus – you might have convinced me to sign up for twitter
You read my mind. I just signed up with Twitter yesterday and thought, “Now what the heck do I do?” This helps a lot.
Great post!
Twitter is a very important new tool. Some friends of mine were telling me that a band sharing their company name was petitioning Twitter to make them give up their name, so the band could have it (not gonna happen) but after that I went in and signed up for Makool Clothing too, wishing I had taken Makool when I signed up long ago.
It’s really important when a new technology like this comes out for businesses to go in and claim their names, even if they don’t intent to use the account right away.
I love twitter, and I think it’s a really fun way to get in the loop.
@makoollovesyou that’s me!!
xx~anisa
Greatings,
Thanks for article. Everytime like to read you.
Thanks
Charlie
This is a great post. We’ve been blogging for some time, and started tweeting in the last few months (also upped our activity on facebook). the traffic to our store website (http://eli-phant.com) and blog (blog.portcitystudios.com) basically doubled because of referrals from twitter and facebook combined.
Total Eureka moment!
I’m brand new to twitter (@shellrummel) and and have been staring at the screen trying to figure it all out for two days. Now I get it. Thanks!
-Shell
(@shellrummel)
Could I make a suggestion regarding Twitter? I’ve had tons of Etsy sellers add me, and their Twitter feed is nothing but “buy my stuff! Now selling bla blah!”. It’s annoying! Twitter isn’t meant to be a non-stop infomercial channel. It’s a communicative medium, so actually COMMUNICATE with people.
Found you through Twitter and am SO happy! Thanks for the great advice! I’m gingerly stepping toward opening a real shop and love the supportive promo advice. Somethings I never thought of, some I know intuitively but didn’t give much thought. Love you guys!