So yesterday I wrote about the plan in relation to social media. Today I bring you Twitter. I see many of you on Twitter so I hope this will be handy for you. 

Again, I cannot emphasize enough the importance of understanding your goals with all of this. 

Everyone’s end-goal in using Twitter is to get people to follow them, correct? So start with completely filling out your user profile. If you don’t people will not view you as legitimate as are and will be less likely to follow you.  Also, in completing the profile, make sure that you add an avatar (the little image associated with your account). Again, without one, people often don’t think you’re as valid. If you have a question about what to add for the Twitter profile, check out your competition and/or similar businesses. Make sure whatever you include coordinates with the brand you’ve already established. It takes several times for people to see your logo to associate what you do with your product or service - this is another chance to be recognized so make sure you take advantage of the opportunity and not waste it.

Don’t forget about your background. Again, this is a chance to add a branded touch to the look of your page and reinforce the image to your followers. If nothing else, create a Twitter background that resembles some element of your website (the colors, style or logo) By the way, you can add information on your background that isn’t covered in your Twitter profile. Email me (or comment to this post) if you don’t know how to do this or would like me to do a piece on a specific topic.

There are a two schools of thought out there, most people put their company as their account name (I do - my account name is @RubyMarCom) but where the difference comes in is that some people use their personal avatar and bio so as to build the company’s brand, while still associating a name with the business. This gives a name and face to the business. In writing this I might actually change my avatar. The other school of thought uses business logo for the avatar and the business information for the bio. It’s up to you. 

If you have employees that are also on Twitter, you might want to help them help you promote your business. So they would have an account like SmithJewelersJC - maybe Jen Carter is the employee. Therefore the account is mutually branded. The avatar would have the person’s picture and the corporate logo. Again, I’m happy to explain further if necessary. 

You will likely become known for providing content on specific topics. Twitter is considered a mini-blog, it’s a shorter and easier to spread form of blogging.  Therefore, you want to post things on Twitter to deliver that content to your audience that they want.

You should have a marketing plan in place to acquire new followers. A few items to do: make sure you have your Twitter handle in your email signature, make sure it’s on your website - you can even add a button with a direct link, add it to your ads, your newsletter, on your business cards, on any promotional items, on anything your have printed for your business where you have your address and website.

The more people who follow you on Twitter, the easier it is to grow your community. Retweets and following other people are two essential ways to get new followers, but content is most important to make sure you produce consistent, quality tweets.

A word about content. I watch many of the posts from various stores. What I’m finding is of very little value. Think about what your customer wants to read. Social media is very different from traditional media. People want information and resources - not sales pitches. Post your fabulous sale - but not JUST your sales. Post information that is useful - how to clean a ring properly maybe. Little tips., fashion trends, new product announcements. People will begin to ignore you when they aren’t engaged. Lastly, read people you follow and interact with them - you have he chance to be more than a store- so build some relationships.