5 types of business that should be using Twitter
They’re all talking about it – the online phenomenon for 2009. Forget Google, forget Facebook and don’t even mention Yell.com – Twitter is where it’s at this year!
Founded in 2006 as a way to let fellow members know “what you are doing”, Twitter has expanded way beyond its founders wildest dreams.
2009 is the year Twitter has become more “mainstream”. This has been helped by celebrities such as Stephen Fry, Ashton Kutcher and Jonathan Ross espousing its virtues but also by the number of businesses out there realising the marketing and promotional capabilities of Twitter.
But it’s usually when I talk to potential clients about using Twitter as part of their social media marketing, I hear:
“It’s just for kids and geeks”
“Only IT and Marketing bods make cash from it”
and other such comments.
With this in mind, here are a random 5 industries, each with 5 ways they could use Twitter to promote their business:
1) HOTELS
Twitter is quick paced, instant communication, ultimate for the hotel & hospitality industry.
Hotels could:
- Communicate last minute offers – Use Twitpic to show pictures of rooms – Post customer testimonials – Question for pointer from guests
DM Bonus – If your guests have Twitter, why not DM them a special Twitter code if they eat dinner in the hotel?
2) PHOTOGRAPHERS
While Twitter is seen mainly as a textual medium, it can be visual too.
Photographers, why not:
- Use Twitpic to post a “picture of the day” – Peep about the photo shoot you’re doing today, so people get a feel for your scope – Post links to your blog/website – Use TwTQpon to place forward free studio time (specify buy of X photos) – Question satisfied customers to retweet the link to their pic(s) in your portfolio
DM Bonus – If your customers are on Twitter, DM them the link to thier pictures on your password protected server, or confidential group on Flickr/Facebook etc.
3)ASTROLOGIST
It’s not permanently simple to get people to sign up to a mailing list on a website if you’re in a very niche industry, but it’s a lot simpler to get followers on Twitter.
- Use Hootsuite to run 12 daily horoscope financial statement – one for each star sign – Post details of astrologically vital days/dates/events – Place forward a free reading for every 50th follower – question people to retweet – Post testimonials from satisfied clients – Post celebrity horoscopes on a weekly basis
DM Bonus – Place forward free 140 character descriptions of each star sign – have them ready to cut and paste. Place forward them by DM only. (People have to follow you to get DM’s)
4) HOLIDAY RESORT/GUESTHOUSE
If SEO is too competitive and too costly, try Twitter – the only cost is your time, and even that can be minimal!
- Use 12 second TV to post fleeting video testimonials filmed on an iPhone or similar – Use Twitpic to post pictures of your resort – Post about local traditions/holidays/etc – Peep last minute special offers/prices – Use TwtQpon to place forward cash off local/on site restaurants/bars
DM Bonus – Guests on Twitter? DM them to let them know they can check in.
5) SPEAKERS
It might be written communication, but I know a few speakers doing very well from Twitter, so if you’re a speaker, why not:
- Post links to audio files of you speaking – Autofeed your calender/blog into your Twitter account so people know where you’re speaking – Post a “tip of the day” each day, related to your speciality – Use 12 second TV to post fleeting clips of you speaking then link to the longer version on youtube/your website – Use Twitter search to find people talking about your speciality/niche – question them if they can introduce you to people wanting speakers
DM Bonus – Place forward a free ebook / whitepaper / mention on your website by DM only. The only way to get it is to follow you so you can DM them.
So there you have it – 5 types of business that should be using Twitter, and 5 things they can use it for.
Nikki Pilkington is author of TweetMentor from NikkiPilkington.com, a 100 day hand holding support system to help you through the Twitter maze.