Your Business

If you are an active user of social media tools, you probably find it hard to believe there are still people who aren't using Twitter or who say they don't get the point. Even with all the news about how Twitter has become a catalyst for world events,

it's not hard to find a businessperson who will tell you they wouldn't know where to begin leveraging its professionally. When I first jumped into the Twitterverse, I admit I had some trepidation because I wasn't sure how to start or what to do to get value from it.

Despite the "I just saw Justin Bieber" tweets, and the fear of writer's block that kept me off Twitter, I was able to embrace the platform by remembering these two basic tenets:

1. Choose your words carefully. Be the honey that attracts the bees.

2. Follow for content, and to join communities of people with shared interests.

Whether you are a CEO or a stay at home Mom, what you get out of Twitter truly depends on what you want and what you find valuable.

Following folks is the next best thing for you to establish yourself on Twitter. Once you get over the notion that it feels like stalking, you can think of this idea as 'subscribing' to their feed of content. Who you choose to follow colors your Twitter experience more than anything else, because the way those people use Twitter to communicate can just as easily inform, incite, or surprise you, as it could disturb you.

My advice to you is to start by following people you know well, and whose communication style will ease you into your Twitter experience. Then add on the people whom you admire, the brands you love, and the customers you want for your business. You may also want to track people who do what you do, as it will be helpful to learn what competitors do and say.

As you monitor the streams, because of common interests, they will beckon you to reply or share them, or you may merely click on links to learn more about the 140 character comment. In any event, the interactions you have with other Twitter users will spawn more connections. Some number of folks you follow, will follow you back. If you share or reply, that may result in another set of followers for you.

But nothing will grow the number of people following you more than those things you choose to tweet about, and how often you choose to do it. As you communicate to others, you produce more searchable keywords, which become the beacon for letting others find you, on and off Twitter. Twitter content is getting more discoverable on search engine results pages, and not just within the Twitter app itself.

If you have a blog, or small business, consider Twitter to be the best free promotional engine you have to help people find you.

Download the free ebook: “Twitter Beginners Guide” elsewhere on this newsletter.