Comments on: Twitter for Business: A Brief Guide to Providing Value

By: School Directory

School Directory — Thu, 08 Oct 2009 06:43:17 +0000

Hi Sam,

Well said, the more I use the Twitter the more I realise that users need to tread carefully. Unfortunately too many twitters (businesses) are using the tool to sell their products, it needs to be more than a sales pitch, it needs to be relevant, engaging and real.

Don’t pound your followers with sales, keep it balanced!

Marty Jonas

By: Johnny B. Truant

Johnny B. Truant — Wed, 07 Oct 2009 11:24:24 +0000

I’m so glad when companies get on Twitter, provided they do it right. So many just go out and use it as another vehicle for press releases.

You know who does it very well? Zappos. They allow their employees to tweet, and each is tagged as a Zappos employee… and they have a page that follows all employee tweets. I like this approach far, FAR better than tweeting from the company name. It always feels so impersonal to me… even if I know a real person is doing it. It’s that brand. Most people on Twitter use a photo. I mean, I want to see your face.

Coolest, though, is customer service. Have a problem with a merchant? Make a tweet with the company name in it. They usually hop to on that immediately to see how they can rectify things.

By: Jade Craven

Jade Craven — Wed, 07 Oct 2009 05:08:06 +0000

Good point Ian. Thats really what I do myself on my personal twitter account – and what I do for Think Tank clients. Its something I really want to discuss in future posts. I just didn’t want to write a post that was too long.

Thanks Ben.

Frank – yep, those tips by Sam definitely summed it up. Respect is definitely one of the key points.

I’d love any other feedback – this is my first post for the Think Tank audience and I want to make sure I cover what you guys really want.

By: Ian Harris

Ian Harris — Wed, 07 Oct 2009 04:39:11 +0000

Excellent article.
You should also appreciate that some companies are also just having conversations about things that are interesting them in the hope that that other people will join in and enlighten them.
As well, following people on Twitter who are in your profession in other countries is also a legitimate exercise in keeping abreast of issues etc. Some might loosley call this monitoring.

By: frank page

frank page — Wed, 07 Oct 2009 03:10:36 +0000

Thanks Jade/Sam – excellent overview and timely guidance when just sticking the toe in the water. Really important to be considered in the use of Social Media and avoid those alienating “turn offs”. Think Sam summed it up at her Convent gig; being authentic, showing your personality and showing respect.

By: Ben Acott

Ben Acott — Wed, 07 Oct 2009 02:36:50 +0000

great read Jade..

You have definitely covered off some areas of interest for a couple of our clients at the moment!!

Awesome work!