Welcome Twitter as an effective marketing tool

Our aim today… For you to leave today with more confidence to use Twitter as an effective marketing tool… And for those yet to use Twitter, to be convinced that it’s a good thing to do!

What we’ll cover… Twitter in numbers Setting up on Twitter Twitter as a marketing tool Creating meaningful content Basic dos and don’ts To create an account and profile To create and send a tweet for the first timers!

Do you know how many followers… - and their reach? One Direction Lady Gaga Visit Isles of Scilly Your business?

Twitter – numbers and facts that matter Launched in million Twitter accounts; 288 million active users 44% growth in Twitter from June 2012 to March 2013 Twitter’s fastest growing age demographic is 55 to 64 year olds 21% of the world’s internet population use Twitter every month 53% of Twitter users don’t post - but they do listen, watch and click 53% of users are female

Setting up a Twitter account Go to Twitter.com – simply follow the steps! Make sure is right for your business! Complete the profile (and review after a few weeks) Choose a relevant background photo Choose the settings that work for you

Useful symbols / things to know 140 characters in total – less with a link! Hashtags (#) #ff #tbt DM Starting a tweet with and using a “.” Favouriting / starring Deleting a tweet… Re-tweeting – ultimate goal!

Twitter - useful marketing tool or idle chat?

Twitter – useful marketing tool! Twitter is a means to get instant public messages out to your audience conversation Important platform for online conversation Your followers learn something of you and you can learn something about them. Network! Check for the negative comments as well as positive…. You need to know Use to support your marketing strategy!

Here’s the proof… 70% of small businesses are on Twitter 85% of followers feel more connected with a small business after following them Twitter users are 3 times more likely to follow brands than Facebook users 51% of active Twitter users follow companies, brands or products on social networks 42% of Twitter users learn about products and services via Twitter 67% of Twitter users are far more likely to buy from the brands they follow on Twitter 37% of Twitter users will purchase from a brand they follow 90% of users say they follow businesses on Twitter to get discounts and promos Twitter users frequently exchange info about products and services

What to post? Ideas for content…

What to post – some ideas for content… News about your company or products / service Promotions and sales offers Links to insights to blogs, Facebook, photos, articles, websites Events and achievements Community stuff, your staff, general points of interest Influential posts; industry news/research

Why use Twitter in business? Create value for your customers Get your news and information out fast Share useful information; re-tweet; be helpful! Watch your following grow FANTASTIC, FLEXIBLE tool for SMEs – get the word out, network with colleagues, find new customers, win new business

There is a direct correlation between number of tweets and number of followers It’s about talking (not selling!) to your (prospective) customers But… don’t over do it!

Three elements of the Tweet Headline – 140 characters to tempt the reader to click the link or re- tweet. Engage! Links – Always try to include a link (photos / blog / industry research and insight etc) – take your followers on a journey Hashtags – drive those tweets into Twitter searches and lists that are relevant

Compose your own tweet….. 10 minutes Share

Rules of engagement… Dos? Don’ts?

Rules of engagement Do your research – look at what others are doing! Do plan your approach Do keep tweets conversational – don’t shout! Do keep it professional Do give your brand a personality and voice - it will make the difference! Do take time to do about minutes a day for social media Do track results Don’t go for the hard sell Don’t use it as a vehicle to compete or bad-mouth Don’t mislead Don’t over-do the personal…there’s a thin line Don’t over-tweet Don’t under-tweet! Don’t have a race for followers – meaningful content counts more than # tweets Don’t take it or leave it

Which one - or both?

Hootsuite and Tweetdeck Useful for managing Twitter accounts Useful for research and analytics

To recap… How many characters per tweet? There is a direct correlation between what and what? What % of Twitter users will purchase from a brand they follow? What are the 3 elements of a tweet? Five content ideas?

Have we achieved our aim? Are you more confident about using Twitter as an effective marketing tool? And for those yet to use Twitter, are you convinced that it’s a good thing to do?

Further reading and references Tweetdeck / Hootsuite Google search engine!!

Thank you!