Twitter is a free to use micro-blogging service. It is one of the most successful social networking websites and has established itself as a powerful marketing tool for business. It lets you connect with a vast audience with little effort.

A single Tweet (post on Twitter) cannot be more that 140 characters in length. This is what sets Twitter aside from other social networks and one of the main reasons why information on Twitter is short, to the point and effective.

Twitter has changed the way businesses communicate and connect with their customers. Ever since its launch on September 14, 2010 , Twitter has seen an explosion in its use and popularity every year, particularly among small businesses.

Main Benefits of Twitter

Twitter offers many opportunities for businesses, organisations and consumers alike. The Internet is full of examples of how businesses have used Twitter successfully to establish their brand or offer a range of services ranging from customer support and product support to internal communication between employees. It also offers the opportunity to go viral on the Internet, which can improve its benefits manifold.

Here are some of the main  benefits of using Twitter for business:

A Powerful Research Tool

Twitter can be a very effective tool for researching any kind of information. While it does not replace other competitive research tools, the results complement other methods or sources of information. Twitter has a vast user base who are constantly updating it with new information on all topics ranging from personal hobbies to professional topics. Try searching for any keyword on Twitter and its usefulness as a powerful research tool will be easily evident.

It can also prove to be a useful tool for conducting market research by providing a better understanding of potential and existing customers.

Re-enforce Your Brand

Twitter is a very useful tool to re-enforce your brand. You might have your website or blog but it will only be effective if your command a high position on major search engines or its readership will be limited to users who are already aware of your brand. Due to its vast userbase, Twitter can be a very useful medium for enhancing the visibility.

If you are an established business you can use Twitter to enhance your brand image. If you are a small business, you can use to build brand awareness.

Marketing Opportunities

Twitter can be very useful for promoting your products and services. It provides a cost effective method to increase awareness about your products and reach out to a vast audience. A business can use it inform customers about any new announcement or special offers, or simply to provide information about new services.

There are many examples of successful marketing campaignson Twitter. Watch the video of the NokiaN8 Twitter campaign in Argentina that resulted in 300,000 new Twitter followers, 180% rise in Facebook fanbase and incresed sales by 270%.

Drive Traffic to Your Website

Twitter can also be used to drive traffic to your website. Website owners and publishers commonly use Twitter to promote new content from their website. Bloggers often use Twitter to drive traffic to their blog and inform their audience of new blog posts.

If you post quality information on Twitter and have an active profile, you will also receive indirect traffic as users who like your contribution will be encouraged to viiew your Twitter profile and click on your link to visit your website.

Networking Opportunities

Twitter provides excellent opportunities to network with people of common interest. On a personal level Twitter allows one to communicate with friends and family or close network of connections.

On an organisational level, Twitter allows opportunities for internal company communications as well as the opportunity to join a group based on interest or follow others who are influential within your niche. This enables businesses to build contacts, increase influence and establish their expertise.

ReTweeting the content of others is another way to connect with users and get noticed. You can also use Twitter to collaborate and communicate new ideas with others or to test public opinion e.g. bloggers often use Twitter to discuss ideas for new posts.

Engage With Customers

Twitter allows opportunities to connect and establish relationships with their customers. A businesses can use it to communicate with customers and receive feedback in a casual and cost effective manner.

It can prove useful in understanding and obtaining consumer opinion about new products or services or new ideas. Businesses can also use Twitter effectively to measure the performance of campaigns.

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