Rules of Twitter
Understanding how to use Twitter to enhance your middle market brand is easier when you know the rules of the game.
Twitter defined: Micro-blogging. You can say anything on Twitter as long as it’s 140 characters in length. So as a breakout brand, why should you consider Twitter? By tweeting, you have the opportunity to build brand supporters and connect with them in a very unobtrusive way. Twitter naturally allows conversations with complete strangers who happen to share common interests.
To get started, how do you tweet? Set up an account on Twitter. Find people with similar interests and begin following them. Listen in on the conversations to get a good feel for how Twitter works.
You can tweet from the Twitter web site, but I’ve found it to be much easier to install a desktop program, like Tweet Deck. It’s always running on my desktop along with my instant messenger program, Adium.
With all forms of social media, it’s important to be seen as a contributor, not a leader. Be authentic and transparent with your audience.
Here are some great DOs and DON'Ts of Twitter from a recent PRNewswire webinar I attended:
Twitter DOs
- Do listen
- Do be transparent
- Do be a good citizen
- Do contribute value
- Do be authentic
- Do follow people in your industry
- Do join the conversation
Twitter DON'Ts
- Don’t be a robot
- Don’t be a broadcaster (meaning: interact with Twitterville. Join in on the conversation)
- Don’t self promote ad nauseum
- Don’t forget a tweet is forever
- Don’t be negative about others
- Don’t forget the value of being human