Does having a Facebook or Twitter account make a difference in growing your business?

[Kevin k]

Lets start with your business. If you own a funeral home, law office or accounting firm, Facebook and Twitter are not going to help you much-they would be deemed unprofessional. A restaurant, bar, or other entertainment business will do much better. Clothing or tangible item stores (book stores, sporting goods shops, etc) will have mixed results. So the first thing to do is ask yourself is a facebook account or tweeting appropriate for your business.

It is all in how you use it. Tweeting coupons will work well, but only if your customers actually come to your business site (or store) to use the coupon. On the other hand beating your customers over the head with constant tweets will have an adverse effect.

Plan to tweet at least once a week but no more than three times a week. Tweet new specials or new arrivals in your store. If your changing your store hours due to holidays or emergency situations (including funerals if all the staff wish to attend); post a special notice. Wish the customer the best on the holidays and ask for their understanding in times of emergency.