How do you use Twitter for business purposes?

[Mindy]

I just signed up for Twitter and I'm just wondering how it can be used as a social marketing tool for my business. It seems to be kinda like facebook.

[ernie r]

It is a lot like facebook but less cluttered. One way is to give people updates on the status of your company or let them know of any promotions that might be going on that day, week etc. It can be a little confusing to use twitter at first, but after using it for awhile, it becomes very addicting.

[maggytyger]

Social communication is a key element here. This is great that you signed up for twitter. What you want to do now is post informative updates inline with your business but having no links back to your site. You don't want to spam them or you will lose folllowers.

I would recommend a ratio of 1 out of every 7 updates would go back to your product or affiliate program.

[Robert]

Well a few quick tips I can give you is join Twitter to Facebook. So when you Tweet all your Facebook friends can see your tweet. Many other networks also support the Twitter API like Plaxo.

There is a lot you can do with Twitter but it a only 1 piece to building a social network. I wrote a little story about social marketing because I think most people are confused by it.

[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/