Why Twitter is a Fantastic Networking Tool – Our Top Tips
Are you on Twitter? Do you want to improve your Twitter profile? Or do you want to get started but don’t know how?
Here’s some simple advice to get you started:
1. Create a professional Twitter account by adding a cover and profile photo and writing a strong bio – it’s incredible how many people miss out these basic steps! Tip: make sure you use the correct image sizes, use high resolution images and please always use correct grammar and spelling throughout. You can also use #hashtags in your bio to reach more people.
2. Follow relevant accounts, local/influential businesses, previous, current and/or potential clients/customers. You will find useful information to retweet, interesting content to learn from and the networking possibilities are endless. Have you ever been to a networking event? How many people did you give your business card to? 5? 10? On Twitter there are 320 million accounts. Everyone worth your attention is on it, so get networking! You only need one retweet from someone with a huge following and your reach will skyrocket!
3. Don’t use social media to sell. At least not all the time. Treat it like a networking event or a business fair. You don’t go up to everyone and ask them to buy your services – you introduce yourself first and engage them in conversation. Be professional. How you run your social media affects how people think you run your business. If you put someone in charge of your social media who is inaccurate, incoherent and inefficient, how do you think that looks to potential customers?
4. Use #hashtags – no, #not #for #every #word, unless you want to drive everyone crazy. Use them on popular terms like #business or #socialmedia or your location.
5. Join hashtag hours for superior networking. These are networking events with set days and times. They change and are added to regularly so do your research. For #Gloucestershire marketing try #GlosHour #CotswoldsHour and #ForestofDeanHour.
6. Use images – the correct size, high res, clear and relevant. Tweets with photos get 313% more engagement. Enough said! #TopTip: Did you know that you can tag up to 10 accounts in one photo? So don’t waste space adding them to your tweet. *Update: images no long count towards your 140 characters, so now you really don’t have a reason not to use them.
7. Always be polite, courteous and appreciative. Be informative but not pushy and remember to interact. Conversations work two ways! How you represent your business on social media is crucial. Your account is visible to everyone, and you will be judged by it.
8. Have fun! We absolutely love social media (which is handy since it’s our job), but if you hate it, it will show. Networking should be enjoyable as well as beneficial to your business. If you’re not a people person, steer clear!