Building a Buzz on Twitter

I'm often asked by small business owners and entrepreneurs if they should be using Twitter for their business. They seldom like my answer, mainly because I respond with a series of questions.

"What is your goal for using social media?"
"Who are you trying to reach?"
"How much time are you willing to spend each day on social media?"
"Do you want to use Twitter, or feel like you 'should' use Twitter?"
"Are you willing to get out of your comfort zone and make a commitment?"

There is no doubt Twitter is a great tool for some businesses. A recent study by Chadwick Martin Bailey and Imoderate Technologies found 67 percent of Twitter followers are more likely to buy at least one brand since becoming a follower and 79 percent of followers are more likely to recommend at least one brand since becoming a follower.

The study also found Twitter followers want to be "Brand Insiders." They have shown their loyalty and willingness to spread the word about your business, so it makes sense they want to be rewarded for their support.

Here are some tips for using Twitter to create a buzz for your business.

1. Offer inside scoops, special, discounts, coupons and other incentives exclusively to you followers
2. Ask for help or ideas
3. Solicit ideas
4. Publish solutions, useful tips and fun facts
5. Comment and retweet to recognize and acknowledge followers
6. Answer tweets, but resist the urge to sell
7. Participate in conversations
8. Thank people for following
9. Join Twitter chats to be seen as a leader in your field and learn from other experts

Incorporating just a few of these tips will greatly increase the amount of buzz generated about your business. Just remember to be consistent and have patience. Most of all, be yourself and have fun.