The use and power of social media has piqued the interests of companies both large and small. For many small businesses, though, this new avenue of customer reach presents just as big an opportunity as a challenge.  Having a website may no longer be “enough” to successfully grow your business, but what exactly is this Twitter thing and why should you care?

What is Twitter?

Twitter is a social media networking tool. It allows you to communicate with hundreds or thousands of people at once. It also allows your message to be easily pushed by your followers to other people. The ease and reach of this push marketing is what makes Twitter so powerful.

Who is on Twitter?

We all hear about celebrity antics on Twitter. This social media tools spans much larger groups than that, though. For example, Chevrolet is on Twitter as is the American Red Cross. Moms, students, and executives are now on Twitter. Joining Twitter gives your business a much broader reach.

How do I Tweet?

First, sign up for Twitter. Be sure to represent your brand by making your Twitter handle something that matches your website and business name. We’re @EliRoseSocial for instance. After that, be sure to craft concise, eye catching messages. You’ve only got 140 characters to use per tweet so every letter counts.

Don’t worry – it’s not as hard as it sounds. Once you get into a rhythm on Twitter, it will be easy to know what works for you and what doesn’t.

Why Tweet?

Twitter has an innate learning curve and is seen by many as a passing fad. However, much like Facebook, Twitter provides a way to reach many people at once. These short messages connect  you with your followers in a way that a traditional ad campaign cannot. Best of all, unlike a traditional ad campaign, Twitter is free.

How does social media figure into your business and marketing plans?  Is your business on Twitter?