What New Tools Does the Twitter Redesign Bring to Social Marketers?
Twitter has a new look, and some observers are calling it the single biggest overhaul the site has received at once in its five year history. The update is one that aims to unify both the presentation and functionality of the microblogging service across all platforms, essentially simplifying the experience for the user. This latest move has kept the internet community busy discussing the implications, so lets take a look at the new tools the redesign offers social marketers.??
Enhanced Toolbar
The change you will probably notice first lies in the toolbar. You will now see the following section categories at the top of the interface:??Home – Shows you the tweets posted by the people you follow on Twitter. This category keeps you up to date with the information that matters most to you.??Connect – This new section keeps you connected with the conversation. Through Connect, you can see who is following or mentioning your brand, endorsing your posts, or retweeting and sharing with friends.??Discover – Hence the name, the Discover section helps you find relevant and useful information via Twitter. The results you see are tailored to your location, network, and other areas that match your interests.??Me – This section the “Profile” section found in the old Twitter design. Here you can introduce yourself to the world of Twitter and even communicate with others through tweets and direct messages.??
Embedded Tweets??
One of the most interesting tools to accompany the Twitter redesign is the embedded tweets feature. This option can be accessed directly from the new interface. The actual process is pretty much like embedding a YouTube clip, meaning you copy a snippet of HTML code and paste it into the web page where you want the tweet displayed. Perhaps the best thing about embedded tweets is its seamless integration with Twitter’s new partners Posterous and WordPress. If you use either of these services, you can have your tweets automatically embedded by simply copying the code and dropping it into your web page – no cut and paste required. ??
Brand Pages??
Following in the footsteps of rivals Facebook and Google, Twitter has decided to introduce its very own brand pages. Similar to the feature offered by other networks, these pages will give social marketers the ability to promote their brand on the platform. You can have a promotional tweet on display at the top of your page, and even choose which tweets the user sees upon visiting your page. This is one of the most exciting new tools to accompany the redesign for obvious reasons. Twitter is currently testing the new brand pages with a select few brands, including Chevrolet and Coca Cola.??The redesigned Twitter is slowly being rolled out to the user base. For now, the update is only available to mobile users, though the company says all users will be able to experience the new and improved service over the coming weeks. Adapting to change can often be difficult, but in the case of Twitter, this looks like change both users and social marketers will come to embrace.
About the Author: Aidan Hijleh is a freelance copywriter and serves as the Non-Profit Partnership Liaison for Benchmark Email. Aidan advocates free email marketing services to assist with the flourishing of grassroots organizations.
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Major News Items Make Twitter, Has Your Business Done Likewise?
The killing of the world’s number one terrorist was indirectly caught on Twitter, while one of the NBA icons of the last 20 years announced his recent retirement on the social network.
8 Ways Small Businesses Can Use Twitter Effectively
Social networking can help a small business making more money. While having customers as friends on Facebook is great, Twitter is a tool that should not be overlooked.
8 great ways a small business can implement Twitter to increase profits are:
1. Growing Customer Relations
Being in business is all about people. Without them, there is no company to run. This is what makes Twitter so great. When people Tweet you and you them, they feel closer to you and your business leading them to your door because of the new personal relationship.
People like doing business with people they know.
2. Promoting Sales
Rather than let a stock item go bad and end up in the spoilage bin a message on Twitter might bring in some excited customers who would love to buy something at half price that they are going to buy anyway.
3. Getting the Word out About a new Product or Service
When something new and exciting comes in some people miss out on it. This is lost revenue that could be taken in as a result of building a relationship with clients through Twitter. Simply saying “Limited time new coconut M&M’s in stock” can go a long way compared to leaving coconut candy lovers out in the cold.
4. Special Offers Only to Those who Tweet
Twitter customers can become part of a special class of clientele. For example, you can Tweet to your customers “Bring this Tweet in for a free Father’s Day coffee.” Customers who see it will be there because they love free stuff, and those in the store who see it will want to be in on the special promotions as well.
5. Directing Customers to Product Reviews
When a new product comes into the store, business owners can sell them to customers by writing a review on their blogs. If customers like what they see they will either buy it from you or they can buy it through Amazon.com, which you can affiliate with to retain some of the profits.
This will result in satisfied customers to be very satisfied with you as their consumer advocate. Not only did you direct them to a product that you sell, but you offered them an online alternative to purchase it. The result is them saving money on the product and time by not having to go out to get it.
6. Cheap R&D
One thing businesses cannot often afford early in the game is research and development. The great thing about a small business, especially if it is local, is that owners and managers can use Twitter to gather information about customers likes and dislikes.
A gas station owner, for example, can ask his Twitter network, “do u like or dislike a full service pump option?” Some customers will reply that they like it in inclement weather, or that they do not like that it costs more at the pump and then they feel as though they have to tip the attendant. This feedback can be invaluable to the success of a business.
7. Special Customer Announcements
When a customer has a big event they may want to get the word out. You can offer free announcements to those on the network. This can be very exciting for those who get accepted into law school or want people to know they’ll be playing a concert at the park.
And when these people see that you care enough about them to help them get the word out, they’ll be loyal customers for life.
8. Promoting Worthy Causes
The best thing about influence is that it can be harnessed for good things. A compassionate capitalist will care about his community and support worthy causes in it. Simple Tweets like “Breast Cancer Walk Sunday, 9:00″ can go a long way in helping others and growing one’s business.
About the Author: Melissa Tamura writes about online degrees for Zen College Life. She most recently ranked the best psychology schools.
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To Twitter or not to Twitter, that is the Question!
The following guest post is submitted by Corey Perlman, the author of the #1 Amazon.com bestseller eBoot Camp: Proven Internet Marketing Techniques to Grow Your Business.
Here Corey answers the age old question, to twitter or not to twitter as part of your marketing mix.
If you haven’t heard the buzz going around about the micro-blogging site Twitter.com, you soon will. It’s by far the hottest social networking application in the ever-evolving world of Internet marketing. But, should you join the cyber-party? Well, I will humbly offer you my answer to that question in this article.
What is all the Tweet About?
I always like to begin by providing a layman’s term definition of exactly what we’re talking about. Twitter is a Web site where you can follow what people are saying and they can follow what you are saying. The unique thing about Twitter is that they only allow you to write your “tweet” (or written message) in 140 characters or less. Yep, in the ‘more is less’ world of Internet communication, they have the audacity to make us be short and to the point with everything we write. The nerve!
When you follow someone, each of their tweets shows up on your personal Web page. And when you tweet, each of your messages shows up on their Twitter page. One of the distinct differences between Twitter and other social communities such as Facebook or Linkedin is the more liberal screening process people seem to have on Twitter when deciding who to connect with. It’s not uncommon to follow complete strangers based on knowing very little about them except maybe that they are following someone you are following. You can blink and have hundreds of people following you or vice versa. For an even clearer definition of Twitter, go to www.twitter.com and watch the video in the top right-hand corner of the page.
To Twitter or Not to Twitter
So, on to the question of if you should add Twitter as part of your Internet marketing repertoire. My answer is Yes and No. ? Let me explain. My answer is no if you’re simply looking for a tool to sell more of your products or services. In my opinion, it’s just not being used that way and people frown upon heavy promoting and selling. However, if you are looking to create more online relationships, expand your brand, or stay on the bleeding edge of information in your industry, then I wholeheartedly recommend that you jump on Twitter right away.
A colleague of mine, Perry Belcher, had a great analogy of how to view Twitter. It’s like hosting a huge party. You wouldn’t invite someone to your party and immediately try and sell them the second you opened the door. Instead, you’d greet them, invite them in, have a conversation and potentially engage in business if the opportunity presents itself. This is exactly how Twitter seems to work as well.
Getting Started With Twitter
So, are you still interested in trying out Twitter or did I scare you away? I hope I didn’t because I think Twitter can be a great opportunity for you to engage people with similar interests in an incredibly fast and effective way. So here are the steps to create your Twitter account:
- Go to Twitter.com and register for an account. It’s free!
- Take some time and fill out your profile. The more thought out your profile is, the more likely people will follow you.
- Write your first tweet. Let everyone know you are new to the site and find a fun way to introduce yourself.
- Look for some of your friends on Twitter. You have a friend in me! Just go to www.twitter.com/coreyperlman and www.twitter.com/ebootcamp and click “follow” and you will then be following me. You’ll be able to see all the people that I follow and can follow them as well if you choose.
- For the next few weeks, tweet at least once a day. It takes all of about 2-3 minutes, so don’t worry about finding the time. You can also write your tweets via your cell phone. See Twitter.com for instructions on how to do that.
Helpful Twitter Marketing Notes
- Try not to just tweet about what you are doing. Although that is the theme of Twitter.com, most people like to offer some value in some of their tweets. For example, did you see a really good article (maybe like the one you’re reading ?) and want to share it with your followers? Simply highlight the article link and add it as a tweet.
- You don’t have to be too picky on who you follow. It’s easy to un-follow someone if they are tweeting too much or for any other reason.
- On occasion, it is ok to promote your products or services. Just remember the party analogy – don’t overdue it and annoy people. Communicate on a personal level with people and build trust. There will be plenty of opportunity down the road to conduct business if the opportunity presents itself naturally.
Ok my friends, enough with the analysis paralysis, get out there and start TWEETING!
See you in Twitterville!
Author Bio:
Corey Perlman is the author of the #1 Amazon.com bestseller eBoot Camp: Proven Internet Marketing Techniques to Grow Your Business. The book provides easy-to-do strategies and techniques to help you market your business on the Web. To learn more about eBoot Camp or to purchase a copy, go to www.ebootcampbook.com.
What do you think about using Twitter as part of your marketing strategy? Is it working for you?
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