If you run a startup and aren’t using Twitter, we have to ask, why not? It seems that just about everyone else on the planet with access to the web or a cell phone is.
In Nigeria, Twitter has become a hub for where business transactions take place, hot topics are discussed, it’s where you’ll you’ll first find new making the rounds. Nigerians are there are there all day, every day tweeting away.
Twitter seems to be following the same pattern that blogs did. First a few, and just for personal use. Then a lot more and an expansion of uses. And then a belated awakening by businesses that something is happening over there and it might be worth getting in on it.
Here are top reasons why your business should actively use Twitter:
1. Good for the optics
Using Twitter is evidence that your small business is participating in social media and obviously a “with-it” kind of outfit that people might be interested in doing business with.
It’s just not enough to have a website anymore.
2. Disseminates messages fast
Assuming your potential and existing customers are on Twitter, you can instantly let them know your news, whether it’s an announcement or a new product, a special deal, or an upcoming event they may be interested in.
And now that businesses can advertise on Twitter, it’s even easier to reach the potential customers you want to reach.
3. Keeps your business ahead of the competition
Twitter lets you hear what other people are saying. Using Twitter Search, you can find out what people are saying about a particular topic, enabling you to keep your ear to the ground about your company and the competition.
4. Helps you refine your brand
By participating in Twitter (that is, using it to communicate with others, rather than just spamming product announcements) you can present and develop the kind of image that attracts your potential customers, and refine your brand. (Remember; communication is a two-way thing.)
5. Great networking tool
Being on Twitter will give you opportunities to meet and talk to oodles of people, some of whom you would never get the chance to talk to otherwise. And some of those people might be the very business contacts you’ve been seeking, people you want to start projects with, source product from or even hire.
6. Lets you engage your customers
Posting information about your products and/or services is the obvious use. But Twitter also gives you another channel for listening to and finding out about your customers – what they like or dislike about your company, how they feel about your brand, what suggestions they have for improvement, what their favourite products are and why… all kinds of nuggets that you can use to make your business more successful.
So there you have it. In a nutshell, Twitter can provide your small business with another channel to inform and engage your current and potential customers – and every opportunity to do that is worth exploring.
Share your thoughts!
