Did you know Twitter has 270 million active users? In fact, Twitter increased their number of users by 50 million in 2014, alone. To add, 7/10 small businesses maintain Twitter accounts which they actively use to engage and expand.
So, yes, having a Twitter account is necessary for small businesses, but only for those with the patience to stick with it while they grow their following. Opening a social platform that you give up on after 6 months, or that you choose to post on once in a blue-moon is completely pointless, not to mention detrimental to your presence. Having anything on the web that is not well maintained will only hurt your social stage and make you look less credible. (Kinda like not having ANYTHING on the web.)
If you’re handling your presence on your own, I’d suggest starting with the platform you’re most comfortable with, kick butt at maintaining it, and then open the next platform only when things are moving smoothly. Having one well maintained platform is MUCH better than having 5 abandoned platforms.
So, on that note, let’s answer the most popular Twitter comment out there:
“I know HOW to tweet — I just don’t know WHAT to tweet.”
#BlogBoutique to the rescue:
- Retweet-tweet. Maybe you’re a dog food company and have a similar audience with your friends over at Bayside Pups, a doggie day-care facility. Bayside Pups are promoting a really cool event that you just know your audience would love!! By retweeting their promotional tweets, you’re sharing something awesome with your crowd while opening possibilities for a future partnership. Maybe you and Bayside Pups can collaborate on something down the line? Maybe they’ll share the next big event YOU promote? The possibilities are endless! But only if you’re willing to open that door and start building a relationship. Now, let’s be honest, is there an easier way to do it? #No
- Be a curator. In a similar scenario, maybe Bayside Pups just shared an awesome blog that they had written about keeping your dog hydrated in the summer months. You know the information that they shared would be super useful to your doggie loving customers and followers. By sharing, you’re offering helpful content to your audience AND opening the doors to more opportunities with Bayside Pups, down the line.
- Help! I love social media because of the ability to snag instant feedback. Maybe you’re coming out with a new flavor of treat but you can’t decide if you should focus on a beef treat, or a turkey treat. Ask your audience what they’d prefer.
- Breaking News. I find that experts always have their finger on the pulse of their industry. If you can be so on top of what’s hot that you can be the go-to for all things current, you’ve got a huge advantage.
- Thank yous. This could as as simple as thanking someone for a retweet, expressing gratitude for a fellow business owner who has recently partnered with your brand, or maybe sharing a special interaction between you and a customer. Whatever it is, gratitude is special, even on Twitter.
- Repeats and Throwbacks. Twitter moves a mile a minute! Unlike Facebook, Twitter doesn’t share posts from a few hours ago. It’s all current. So, unless I posted within the hour that you’re checking, you might not even see my tweet…which means you won’t read the blog I just spent hours writing! For that reason, it is totally fine to tweet the same content more than once in a week, or more than once a day (no more than 2, in my opinion), depending on what it is.
Similarly speaking, I might post a blog I wrote last year about something that I still find relevant, today! - Entertain. Sometimes too much business can make people feel too far from who you are as a person — which is the opposite of what social media is about. For this reason, it’s always good to have an element of personality. Look for a way (within your brand) to entertain your audience, have some fun, and be yourself. For example: why not share a song you’re loving, awesome videos to start your/their day, or inspiring interviews to motivate your clan? Don’t, however, post cat videos just because you think people will like them, particularly if you hate cats and it has nothing to do with your business. #BadStrategy
- Connect people. In order to rule at the Social game, you have to play the Social game. Social Media is all about connecting people, as is Twitter. You can do this by specifically introducing someone to your following, sending out who to follow recommendations (the popular hashtag for this is #FollowFriday, and it generally happens on Friday….obviously), or sending a shoutout to your new followers as a way of sharing their handle with your tweople.
- Share your thoughts. When Caitlin’s Vogue cover hit stands, there were sooo many people tweeting with the hashtag #IAmCait. The Twitter-verse was full of supporters and well wishers, as well as those who didn’t understand Bruce’s transition. A conversation ensued. If you have a thought about something, why not be a part of the convo? You never know who will love what you have to say, check out your page as a result, and become your next follower…and maybe customer!
HOWEVER — my personal opinion on this is, “if you don’t have anything nice to say, don’t say anything at all.” Though I think it’s important to be honest, social media is not a place to bully. So, do think about the thoughts you tweet and make sure you remember that whoever you’re tweeting about can read what you say. If you wouldn’t like to be on the receiving end of your tweet, think twice about tweeting it. Negativity is bad for your brand and for humanity. - Now you. The general social media marketing ratio is 80:20. 80% of the time you’re not talking about you. Instead, you’re sharing news, tips, tricks, useful info, articles, interviews, videos, and shout-outs.
20% of the time, you’re talking about you! What’s new with your business? Who’s writing about you? What success stories do you want to share? What are you currently working on? What’s new…with you? 😉
Snag our Top 5 Marketing Musts
Love,
BOUTIQUE TECHNIQUE 