How to Sell Your Products and Services on Twitter
By Mitchell Cogert
Twitter Is Like Online Dating
Many companies don't know how to sell their products on Twitter. Other companies don't
even try since the Twitter experience just doesn't make sense to them. But, it is not
difficult to use Twitter to sell your products and services.
Selling on Twitter is similar to online dating. How does online dating work?
You post your profile and search out the profiles of the men or women you want to date.
You select the people who look or sound attractive, and email a message. But, that
message is not "let's hook up tonight." It is a friendly message, and an introduction that
may get you a response.
The same is true on Twitter. Twitter is a social meeting place. You can't just set up a
profile and start sending tweets (what the messages are called on Twitter) to "hook up and
buy my stuff." Yes, you need to show some restraint.
Here Is My Best Practices For Selling On Twitter
Step 1. Set up a blog
When you are planning to date, at some point your date is going to want to see where
you live. It's your home. It reflects on who you are as a person. You don't take a date to
your office - your cube is not that impressive.
Your blog is your online home. People who are interested in you on Twitter will want to
see your blog, and not your company website. A website is a place of business. Twitter is
social. A blog is social.
On Twitter, you invite followers into your online home or blog and then if things go
well, they can buy from you at your blog or at your website.
Step 2. Show up
You have to show up. Simply, that means you have to make a profile on Twitter. Use your
name or part of your name with your company name. The name is important. Don't use a
stupid name that means nothing or is too clever. A personal name is better than a business
name. Twitter is social (yeah, I'm repeating myself).
Describe who are you and what do you do. Post a photo of yourself. No stupid photos. No
avatars. Be real.
Your Twitter profile needs to link to your blog not your website. See step 1.
Now, check to make sure your profile fits and looks interesting. Sometimes you will
find that it is too long or too short or you'll find a few typos. Fix them.
Remember this about your profile: Your mother may or may not be on Twitter. But, one
day, your boss will be on Twitter.
Step 3. Make connections by adding value
One great thing about Twitter is that when you tweet one person, that message is
potentially being viewed by all your followers. Everyone on Twitter is a peeping Tom or
peeping Mary. In many ways, Twitter is a voyeur's paradise.
By adding value for one of your followers, you will get credit from everyone as being
social and a good citizen on Twitter.
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