The document outlines the essentials of using Twitter for businesses, highlighting its role in real-time communication and customer engagement. It discusses the benefits of brand visibility, relationship building, and effective marketing strategies through case studies and user demographics. Additionally, it provides tips for engaging on Twitter, including etiquette, tools for management, and methods for measuring success.

1. TwitterAsheville Social Media Business Courses

2. Presented byAsheville Area Chamber of Commerce at ashevillechamber.orgKelby Carr of Carr Creations LLC at carrcreations.comDulcita Love of dulcitalove.com

3. Basics of Twitter

4. What is Twitter?Twitter allows people to communicate in 140 characters.Twitter can be used on a mobile phone or a computer.It allows people to communicate real-time.It is a way to connect to people of similar interests, geography or lifestyle.It can serve businesses as a marketing, customer service and focus group all in one.

5. How to Sign UpVisit twitter.com and click joinCreate a user nameAdd a profile picturePost updates of 140 characters or lessFollow other members of TwitterChat with those members

6. Why Twitter?allows real-time updatescreates brand familiarity quicklyfacilitates personal connectionscan receive customer feedbackcan thank customers publicly

7. Unexpected BenefitsInvitations, connections can come through direct messages (DMs)Familiarity online is like the first handshakeConnections online carry over to connections in personSome people will be more likely to connect via Twitter than emailing you directlyYour tweet may be retweeted multiple times and expand your reach to other circles

8. Staying Visible OnlineHow Twitter helps…allows updates as often as neededeach update increases visibilitytweets show up in Googleothers may help spread the wordshows business as active and vibrant

9. Business uses of TwitterDell Outlet has booked more than $3 million in revenue attributable to its Twitter posts.CoffeeGroundz of Houston receives 'to-go' orders via DM. Etsy’s account was followed by Martha Stewart, and community on Twitter created Etsy Day to boost awareness of the site.Naked Pizza in New Orleans offers Twitter only specials. This resulted in record-breaking day where 68.60% of total dollar sales came from customers who said "I'm calling from Twitter.”Pepsi responds to complaints, and says when they do they get kudos on Twitter.More case studies at business.twitter.com

10. Why Twitter WorksPeople want information fastPeople don’t want to waitPeople may not want to callPeople can read your tweets and begin to know, like and trust youTweets are short which makes them manageable

11. Who’s on Twitter?

12. “Twitter is a huge untapped outlet for reaching Boomers, who increased utilization 469% during 2009.”Source: Nielson, Mining the U.S. Generations

13. Twitter Isn’t for KidsThe 55+ group is seeing bigger growth on Twitter than the teens and early 20-somethings. The dominating age group on Twitter is 35-49 year olds, who make up 41%. (Source: Nielson)

14. Twitter grew from 475,000 in February 2008 to 7,038,000 in February 2009, a 1382% jump.

15. Finding people on twitter

16. Connecting on Twitter

17. Finding Friends and FollowersTwitter search (people or tweet and hashtag search)Twitter email address importTwitter listsTwellowTweepzTwitDir (search location, user name or bio)WeFollowMr. TweetTweepSearchGoogle search “X on Twitter”

18. Signs of a Good Tweeter

19. Tips on FollowingFollow a little at a time. Start locally, for example, then branch out.Target followers that make sense to you, but don’t automatically dismiss others. Consider your primary audience: local, national, global or all of the above.Don’t read too much into not being followed back. Sometimes engaging (@ing) leads to follow.See who people you follow are talking to.

20. Communicating on twitter

21. Tweeting by Type

22. Twitter EtiquetteDon’t just self-promoteWhen people talk to you, replyDon’t automateDon’t spamDon’t @ people something you should simply tweetDon’t ask for favors if you’ve never conversedDon’t mass DMFollow people you talk to

23. “The qualities that make Twitter seem inane and half-baked are what makes it so powerful”– Jonathan ZittrainHarvard law professor and Internet expert

24. Example ConversationThe Hop Ice Cream @hopicecreamThanking, Sharing Real-Time Information

25. Following the Conversation

26. Tips for Engaging TweetsBe personal, entertaining, interesting and clever.Offer help, advice and assistance to fellow tweeters.Engage in conversation.Reply to tweets, even complaints about your company.Thank people for retweets (RT)Little details are not always minutiae. Sometimes, these are tweets that help people feel connected.Retweet information of interestFor company or organization accounts, it increases personal connection by showing in bio who is tweeting

27. How to Use Twitter EfficientlyIdeal to update daily to few times per weekConsistency makes it easierSet aside 15 minutes to:check for people talking with you on Twitterother tweets of interestcreating your update

28. Twitter tools

29. TweetdeckA desktop and mobile phone application to help you organize, track and get notifications about Twitter.

30. Other Twitter ToolsHootsuiteCoTweetTwitterfeedBrowser plugins like TwitterFoxMobile phone apps like TwittelatorTwitpicQikTwit ThisTwitter GraderTweepML

31. Twitter metrics

32. Twitter ExpectationsIt can take time and experimentation to find success on Twitter.Have specific, measurable goals (for example, will answer certain number of questions).Know your purpose to being on Twitter. You will need to build relationships first before you see payoff.Have a timeline.

33. Twitter MeasurementToolsTrackle

34. What the Hashtag?

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