Why should your business Twitter? – As a new technology and social media tool, there has been great attention focused on Twitter.  The question “why should I use this?” and “how should I use this” are questions that I hear every day when I am speaking with clients.   As a platform to help drive traffic to your website or blog, Twitter can be useful, but as with other social media platforms, there are certain protocals that will earn you respect.

In a nutshell, Twitter is used to broadcast and to monitor.  In “broadcast” mode, you can use Twitter to announce new products, share existing services, highlight case studies, ask for information or resources, and generally market your business.  In “monitoring” mode, you will be able to respond to positive or negative mentions of your brand or company, keep updated about news in your market, analyze your competition, maintain links with  your suppliers, and understand customer service concerns.        

Twitter is also about dialogue not one-way broadcasting.  It’s important to respond to inquiries for information and show the Twitterverse that you are a human, not a ‘bot.  To do this, you should respond to others and create dialogue as appropriate.   To this end, a “social media policy” should be established for your organization which determines the type of information that can be shared as well as appropriate and inappropriate dialogue that the company finds acceptable.  More on a social media policy in another blog to follow.  

One of the most important functions of Twitter is as an information and news source.  Even the most respected television stations, radio stations and newspapers understand that they need to use Twitter, Facebook and other social media platforms.  There is something about having the ability to communicate directly with the radio personality or the television news announcer that is undeniable.  CNN has been very smart about setting up Twitter accounts for their announcers, even reading Twitter comments in real time on the air.  

News is more of a two-way street than ever before.  True journalists are ‘keeping an ear to the ground’ by watching what’s being stated via Twitter statements.  If it’s important to the news, then certainly it’s important for you.

In future blogs, we’ll examine how to use Twitter to gain credibility and also how to develop a Social Media Policy.

Several of my friends have asked me, what’s this Twitter thing all about?  I have to admit, when I first heard of a 140 character “micro blog”, the idea seemed silly. Who has time for something like that?   I dutifully watched the video on the Twitter site that sort of explains what Twitter is, but by no means was I prepared for the realization of how powerful a tool Twitter is.

Last week, I tweeted  the following: that for the first time ever, a “social media” is changing the course of history.  I understand this sounds melodramatic, but the reality of what is transpiring in Iran is an amazing example of the power of the micro blog.  While the Iranian government was scrambling to shut down all communication from inside, the Twitterverse responded by requesting that Twitterers all over the world identify their account as being in Tehran, Iran.  The reason this made sense was to disguise who was Tweeting from inside Iran.  By cluttering the ability to identify who was sharing info from outside, Twitter was able to help the information that was able to be shared outside of the country from those within.

Apparently this worked well enough that the Department of Defense requested that Twitter postpone maintenance from the middle of the night our time (middle of the day in Tehran) to the middle of the day our time (the middle of the night in Tehran).  The ability to gather intelligence from the Tweets coming out was that important.

But what does that mean to you?  You may not want to read about Harry blowing his nose, or George having tuna for lunch.  I agree with you.  However, with the way media is changing due to the rapidity of information gathering, it’s impossible to ignore the power of this tool.

Recently I had the pleasure of moderating a panel for eWomen Network on Social Media and how Traditional Media is reacting to the changing environment.  It’s no secret that newspaper circulation is down, radio listenership is down, and television news audiences are down.  Many people are turning to the Internet for their news.  All three of the panelists, representing TV, Radio and Newspaper were consistent in their recognition of the need to incorporate social media as a way to reach their audience and to gather information.

As a business person, how would you use social media to effectively supplement your marketing programs and reach the audience?  I’ll address this question in the next post.  Stay tuned!

Google has developed some of the most widely-used internet applications in the business world, and Salesforce has created a system to integrate these programs into its versatile software package.  Gmail, Google Docs, Google Calendar, Google Talk and Google Start Page are all part of the Salesforce system. 

Gmail is one of the most trusted email programs available today.  In order to maximize consumer and associate communication, Salesforce combines Google’s user-friendly system into the Salesforce business model.  With this combination, you can automatically copy emails to your Salesforce sources to help you keep better track of important correspondence.  Furthermore, integrated Gmail buttons make it easy to send emails from your business Gmail account from selected customer pages on Salesforce.  These same buttons also appear next to any email address in the Salesforce system, making it even easier to keep in touch with important clients and associates.

Google Talk is just as easy to use as Gmail, and Salesforce has integrated this instant messaging system right into the Salesforce programs.  You can assist clients, collaborate on sales calls, and coordinate with partners without leaving the Salesforce system.  The Talk button appears right on the Salesforce page, making it easy to find your partners without leaving Salesforce. 

Next article will discuss Google Docs and Google Calendar.

Luggage Ahead of Mt. Laurel, New Jersey, a full service luggage shipping company with nationwide coverage, recently launched its new website. Designed and hosted by World Wide Web Communications, Luggage Ahead’s website features a robust Quick Quote Form that, when filled out, tells you exactly how much the service will cost.

Imagine how easy traveling would be without your luggage! Luggage Ahead will ship your luggage to and from your destination, allowing you to move through airports without the cost and hassle of lugging and checking your bags.  Your luggage, sports equipment, and business materials will be waiting for you when you arrive, guaranteed. Luggage Ahead can pick up your bags at your home or office and ship to any US location and most countries. Simply book your order online or call 1-888-395-4410.

Luggage Ahead’s new website can be viewed at http://luggageahead.com/.

You might also want to consider setting up a page on social networking sites such as Facebook and Myspace that target wide audiences.  Lots of businesses set up pages and share information about their services and products, and it can be a great way to build both personal and professional relationships and keep customers informed about your products.

Comment sections and Forums are another way to drive traffic to your site.  While some forums and blogging sites discourage links in comment sections, they’re usually permissible if you’re also providing useful content.  Consider setting up usernames on consumer sites where you’re likely to find a motivated customer base and start participating in discussion boards and forums.  If you sell wine glasses, consider joining informative consumer wine sites.  If you give informative and interesting feedback in forums, comments, or discussion boards, other visitors are more likely to click on links you include in your text.

Tight budgets don’t have to mean less advertising.  The internet if full of opportunities to target and teach motivated consumers.  By creating blogs and articles and posting links on related sites, you not only create a free marketing program, you also lure educated consumers who are more likely to purchase your products or services regardless of the economic climate.