Attn: Entrepreneurs and Visionary Innovators
Twitter can be overwhelming, the noise, the pace, the sheer “infobesity” of it all. All the more so when you know your bottom line depends on cracking the code of social media and turning time on Twitter (let’s call it ‘ToT’) into a meaningful return on investment.
Since the early days of Social 1.0 brands and businesses have been trying to figure out how to make money from interacting with their customers and would-be customers.
Lots of people have tried lots of things, and still the consumer is firmly in the drivers’ seat, speeding, weaving and changing the roadmap for businesses trying to engage, connect and convert.
What does it take to Tweet your way to customer growth?
We know that “broadcasting” out Tweets as barely-disguised advertisements not only doesn’t work but actually damages brand equity and any hopes of customer acquisition. People just pass over these as spam.
Conversely, we know that people respond very well to brands that talk with them in a “real”, authentic, engaging way, as a human being having a conversation with another human being.
You want to find and grow your customers via Twitter? The good news is they are out there – millions of them who want or need what you are selling. Many of them just don’t know you yet, and you have what is often a “make or break” opportunity to engage and delight.
But that’s easier said than done.
Most companies #epicfail at #connecting #delighting and #converting because they are too #impatient to #listen, #learn and take time to build #trust with a #relationship building interaction. Got it? #GotIt!
You’re human! Your business is run like humans! Tweet like a human!
So assuming you’ve taken the time to profile and understand your ideal customers and customer segments – often just by “listening” to the conversations of target consumers – it’s time to start conversing with your target customers.
Before you start, remember this: Act like you would if you were making a new friend. Would you walk down the street talking to strangers telling them to buy your product? No, or well maybe some of you would! Social is no different: You want to establish a common connection, a shared interest, circumstance or value with the individual you are talking to. Make a true friend, and you make a loyal customer, and even better a loyal “ambassador” who will share your unique value with others like them you are targeting.
Verifeed’s vast Social Engagement Playbook helps companies maximize conversions from their Tweets, taking the fear, befuddlement and pain out of the process with easy-to-implement strategies and steps.
Here are our Top 10 Twitter Tips to help you best engage with your customers and clients. Ready? Here goes:
Top Ten Twitter Tips
1. Use hashtags!
⎯ How will someone join your conversation if they do not even know you exist? Hashtags grab new followers looking for what you provide and they also help spur and spread conversations
⎯ When starting or improving your Twitter account use hashtags relevant to your brand value in your bio and in your Tweets
⎯ When possible ride the “trending” bandwagon: Use trending #hashtags to make your Tweets contextually relevant to what people are talking about, whether a game, a TV premier or an issue. Caution: Only if it is actually relevant to your brand
2. Don’t sell, befriend
⎯ Does an advertisement you see on TV or Twitter make you run out and buy the product? Or are you more likely to buy a product specifically recommended by a close friend?
Some 82% of us don’t actually purchase anything anymore without “third party” validation from a friend on a social network.
⎯ People are 12 times more likely to trust a non-interested friend rather than company. They listen to and follow the advice of someone they believe has their best interests at heart, not someone pushing their own product, service or agenda. So don’t sell on Twitter. So initiate conversation by engaging with something personal, familiar, raw or creative.
3. Know who you are talking to
⎯ Each twitter conversation should be as personalized as the individual. No Twitter messages or conversations should look the same or “canned”.
⎯ Research the person behind the account: What they are passionate about? What makes them tick? Use what you discover to create a message that will resonate with them, or just ask them a question!
4. Invest in Individuals
⎯ People note how you interact with others like them, so build high-quality relationships with individuals on Twitter
⎯ Don’t send them one Tweet and then forget about them. Follow up; ask questions. Ask what they think, what they need, how they use your product, what you could do better. Show genuine interest and build a great friendship.
5. Favorite & Re-Tweet
⎯ Build relationships with other Twitterites by showing how much you appreciate their contributions to the conversation. Be sure to “favorite” their content and any helpful Re-Tweets.
⎯ By giving this social media “endorsement” these folks will be more willing to converse with you. It is a relationship that will pay dividends when they become happy customers, tell their friends and help you convert more people into happy customers.
6. Be Eye catching
⎯ Visuals, Visuals oh and VISUALS. People will not want to read a post that contains mundane words with nothing popping out and grabbing their attention.
⎯ Don’t use stock photos if you can help it. Try to be artistic and surprising. “Raw” and unprofessional can work very well if it shows “behind the curtain” authenticity.
⎯ Think carefully about what message you are trying to convey with any image – does it advance, detract or distract from your message? Make sure that the picture is visually stimulating, colorful and relevant to the message. Anyone viewing it will be more likely to want to learn more about you and your offerings.
7. Have a Call-to-Action
⎯ How will you know if your Tweet resonated with the viewer or if the intended audience even read the Tweet? A very clear call-to-action can keep folks engaged with you and your brand, but make sure it is “frictionless” and you’re offering clear value for asking them to click a link.
⎯ Whether Re-Tweeting, Favoriting, or asking a question, use Calls-to-action to ensure that an active relationship begins with the intended audience. Change up the call-to-action if the original does not work.
8. Be a person, not a company
⎯ No one wants to engage with a corporate voice. Your posts should come off as if you are a friend in the newsfeed.
⎯ The content and voice of your posts should be seamless with other posts that one sees in their newsfeed, and not appear as if from a company.
9. Speak with a unique voice
⎯ What your company offers is unique, so your voice on Twitter should be unique
⎯ Whether young and quirky, or sophisticated and elegant, create a voice that matches your brand – and then be consistent!
10. Talk to your influencers
⎯ Who’s creating the most conversations and impact in your industry on Twitter? Whoever those folks are, talk to them! Cultivate a friendship with them!
⎯ Do not waste your time with irrelevant accounts – but focus on anyone you think is a potential customer or influencer.
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