Tips for Using Twitter For Marketing

While Twitter has quickly turned into a way to promote business, easily, quickly and for free.

Linking

Users can put a link to their website in their profile, not just in posts. So as people visit a user's page, they might see the link, click on it and increase that site's page views.

Commenting

Those who are serious about getting the word out are not only good about posting their own comments, but will reply to other people's comments. They might simply say, "great idea!", but doing so puts their tweets on those who follow the person they are commenting to. Before they know it, they have more followers, and that's more potential customers.

Connecting

Smart businesses put a widget on their web page that suggests others "follow me on Twitter" but even smarter businesses are finding better ways to get noticed. These smart Twitter users will put a widget on their page that gives people the opportunity to quickly and easily put a link to a site on their Twitter page. At TweetThisSite, a free download offers just such an opportunity. People no longer have to follow the business Tweets, but can click on links in others' profiles that increase site traffic.

There are many ways to leverage the power of Twitter. The key is to be smart, be ahead of the game and be willing to try new things.

Small Businesses Need to Market During Recessions

Many small businesses are painfully unaware of how critical this is to their businesses. With 80% of American households turning to the search engines for local business results, it's time for small businesses to develop your web presence.

Historically, recessions force businesses to cut costs. Many small businesses decide that the first cost needing to be cut is the marketing budget. Notice how big business does things. They cut jobs, reduce manufacturing, tighten their product focuses...but they don't touch their marketing budget. Why? Because marketing is the act of finding, engaging, and creating customers. Advertising is only part of the equation, but it's a big part. Without customers, there is no business. So why do some small businesses cut that out of their expenses?

The internet may be your only solution for survival. With over 80% of households turning to the search engines for local business results, you now have the opportunity to dominate. Don't loose this window of opportunity.

Trade show Marketing, It's All About Making Impressions.

Trade show marketing is really all about making impressions. Successful exhibitors give careful thought to everything from display design and tag lines to novelty promotional products, and the selection of optimal floor space. Now in days budgets are stretched and nothing is overlooked while focusing on the goal of putting the company's best image on display.

Trade shows and other forms of event marketing have one clear advantage: They are people events. Businesses are run by people and customers are always people. A handshake and a greeting, as a way to start the prospecting/sales process, supercedes everything else.

Managing your personal impression is more important than anything assembled, printed or distributed. Always being conscious that impressions are emotional, not fact-based, will be the real foundation of successful marketing. Impressions are not about what you want someone to think, but how you want them to feel.

Treat your next marketing event like you were hosting a party at your home. Greeting people with a smile and a handshake will make them feel welcome and happy to be there. This approach will serve you well in your goal of turning attendees into prospects and customers. Standing slump-postured with your arms folded or talking on a cell phone let's people know you have priorities greater than spending a few minutes with them.

Let Go of Old Marketing Pieces

Help spread the word that as a business owner, sometimes you need to take notice of how things look. Give your website the once-over and compare it with the up and coming competitors from time to time. Check out your business card, your direct mail pieces, and maybe even your tagline. Over time, the look, the feel, the perception of your marketing pieces by the people who matter (your target market) can fall victim to "old age" and this isn't a good thing.

It is very important to stay consistent with your brand, but you also want to stay connected with what your target market wants and likes. And if you're not giving it to them, someone else will.

Look at your marketing pieces with a discerning eye and ask other people what they think. (Tip: Don't start with people who originally designed the pieces. They are too close to their work.) Hold a survey. Develop some focus group sessions. Do what you need to do in order to get true stock on current marketing pieces and whether they need a refresher or complete overhaul.

Your business will looke fresher, be relevant, be seen, and beat out your competition for sure!