How do you use Twitter for business purposes?

[ishquez]

Twitter is a great tool to engage in real-time conversation. Its great that you signed up, but before you engage you have to have a strategy and LISTEN to what people are talking about in the twittersphere.

Imagine its like your going to a cocktail party and you just elbow someone and but into their conversation. This will be rude and they will probably ignore you. So if you are at a cocktail party first you have to listen to what people are talking about, and then say something insightful to join the conversation.

So my best advice would be to listen and listen well to what people say about your business or field, and be aware that there are influencers in the twitter world that can make or break you brand or brand image.

the most important website (even before Google) in my opinion right now would be search.twitter.com. search for what people are saying about you, your brand, your industry.

and after you find out what people are saying read this article on how you can develop a presence:

http://mashable.com/2009/04/20/twitter-strategy/