Weekly Success Tip

Twitter Power 2

By now you know what Twitter is, but what does it actually mean to your business? I can answer that question in just one word: profit.

Recently I began telling you about Twitter, the social networking tool that has come of age in the past 18 months. This week I want to convince you of just how powerful it has become. If you doubt the impact its use could have on your business, you need only look at the role it has played recently in a number of significant international events. In many cases it has entirely eclipsed the traditional media, exceeding even the immediacy of television. 

During the terrorist attacks in Mumbai, India, in November last year Twitter was used by victims and witnesses to keep each other – and the whole world – up to date with what was going on. Similarly, the Victorian Country Fire Authority used Twitter during February's bushfire tragedy to keep those on the ground informed about the situation and the actions they needed to take. Both Kevin Rudd and Barack Obama, those political trend-setters, use Twitter to incredible effect, as do a growing number of the famous and powerful.

But how does any of that put money in your pocket?

The greatest thing Twitter has to offer you is a direct link to your customers. Comedian Stephen Fry's tweets are followed by more than 370,000 people, despite the fact he offers them very little information that is either entertaining or – let's face it – informative. Finding out what he had for breakfast is not going to change anybody's life. However, that’s not the point of Twitter.

What the reader gets out of it is a sense they are part of the Twitter-users life, that they are accompanying them on their journey. The value of that kind of connection, if applied to the relationship between a business and its clients, cannot be overstated. Once somebody has been inside your life and walked for a while in your shoes, they’re not going to think twice about buying something from you. By that point, they won't simply trust you – they'll know you personally.

Twitter, if used correctly, can be an incredibly powerful tool and is one you should certainly consider adopting for your business. 

Next week I'm going to give you some tips on the best way to utilise the power of Twitter, including how often you should write and what kind of snippets of information you should broadcast. In the meantime, though, you should continue having a look around at other people's Twitter accounts to see what kind of things they're writing.

Tweet on, friends!

To Your Success!

ACTION STEP:

If you followed the ‘Twitter Power 1’ action step you will have joined Twitter (if not, do it now).

This week, I want you to take some time to have a look around and see what you like and don't like about what others are tweeting.

And don't forget to add me! My twitter name is: www.twitter.com/stuartzadel