New to Twitter: I love a list, and a Twitter list, even better

Over the summer months I gave a couple of talks at Oxford networking groups on social media, and Twitter was a big part of this.

It was a great opportunity to introduce small businesses who may have previously dismissed the tool as a frivolous waste of time, and explore some of the possibilities it can bring:

- Introduce you to the wider business community in your area and build brand awareness

- Help you to find new resources, tools and services that will enhance your business

- Alert you to opportunities to get involved with interesting projects

- Position your self as an expert in what you do and raise your profile

- Extend your customer service offering

- Promote events, special offers and incentives

- Build up the human element and personality of your business

So these are just a few. Over the past few months it has been really rewarding to see many of the businesses I've spoken with pop up on Twitter, and start using it to make connections and move forwards.

Now, Twitter has launched a list facility which makes it even easier to find relevant people to follow, and share those who you follow with others.

For example, I've set up a list for my favourite suppliers (called favourite suppliers!), which means that anyone looking for website designers, graphic designers, photographers and so on can follow everyone on my list in one click.

You can see the lists option next to your following and follower stats on the right hand side of the screen.

Further down the right hand side of the page you can create a list for yourself and pass on the people that you find interesting to follow.

Have a look also at the lists you've been added to and see who else is on that list. Lists are a great way to find people in the business community around you, find suppliers, follow businesses within your industry sector and reach out to more people.

Remember to think big! When you tweet you're reaching much further than you think. As many of the businesses I've got to know have - get the quality of your posts up, give people some food for thought, free advice, new news and you will rapidly increase your Twitter circle, and the potential for your business suddenly becomes vast.

Thanks for reading as always.

How are you using Twitter for business? 10 things to know

Twitter has exploded in popularity over recent months, especially its use by small businesses as more and more people join the way of thinking that they have more to say than what they are having for dinner. After doing a talk on social media at a networking group (@TLB) at the beginning of July I’ve noticed just how many small businesses are really getting their tweet on.

There are still lots of ‘it’s not for me’ and ‘I don’t get it’ types, and it isn’t for everyone, and no one gets it straight away (although we like to pretend we do).

As a small business myself I’ve found it invaluable. New suppliers, advice, opinion, useful articles, something to make me smile when I log in first thing in the morning.

There are huge possibilities for small businesses, so Twitter is worth investigating. It's not simply a case of tweeting about you're products or services, there's much more to it.

Here are our 10 things you should know about Twitter for business:

1. Twitter is just like any face to face networking event. When you first join you should take a step back, get to know people, let them do the talking and get comfortable in your new environment. Once you’re ready, make the break from shy to sociable.

2. Make some boundaries. One you’ve got a feel for what people are talking about and how you could contribute, establish whether this is a purely work tool. If you are connecting with friends as well as potential clients on Twitter, be mindful that a blow by blow account of the 5-a-side football match you’re watching may not be of interest to everyone!

3. Be yourself. Don’t try and be the corporate face of your business. Be you, tweeting on behalf of your company. Just because you’re using this for business reasons, doesn’t mean you need to start speaking in the same tone that your corporate brochure; it is a social application.

4. Who are you? People want to know who the person behind the tweets is so add a good photo and write a concise biography that not only tells people who you are but also helps people to find you when searching for certain businesses.

5. It’s not a sales tool. Don’t start posting 10 times a day about your 50% off sale. People will get bored very quickly. It’s almost like spam.

6. Start following interesting people. Don’t feel that you need to follow everyone who follows you. It’s doubtful that following Sexy Sandra who wants to talk naughty with you, is going to add any real value to your business! There are lots of good applications that help you to find relevant people, check out this fab post from Twitter pro Mashable.
7. Go with the flow. After you’ve been using Twitter for a few weeks you will soon find your feet. Find out who you know is already on Twitter and use them as guinea pigs to get into the swing of things. Don’t get sidetracked into reading each and every post and replying to everything that has a vague connection to your business.
8. On that note, keep your objectives front of mind. It’s not a sales tool, but what are you trying to achieve? Are you looking to explain what services you actually offer? Search for people looking for those services and reply to their questions. Are you looking for new staff? Diversifying and trying to establish if there’s a need? Use Twitter to build conversation, but also to build your business.
9. Do it regularly – Twitter requires some maintenance. The great thing is, updating the short 140 character tweet is quick. But if you’re starting to chat with people, and you don’t reply for a month, they’ll soon lose confidence in you.
10. Finally, enjoy it. If Twitter is going to add value to your business you need to enjoy, not dread using this tool. There are many, many great articles available on how to use Twitter; get on to Google and have a read.

Another great post comes from Sponge NB on Twitter for business, have a read.

The Late Breakfast, the networking group I mentioned, started using Twitter a few months back and have already welcomed new attendees through tweeting about themselves, and have found that Twitter allows them to communicate with a much wider audience than they have done previously.

The ‘Twitterverse’ is a vast online chat room to explore and use in the way that suits you; a place where people hang out, talk, share advice. To talk more about Twitter do get in touch with me – catherine@warrilowpr.co.uk or call 01235 202284 (it’s still good to talk and hear a voice!).