The Build Me A Website Blog

Business tips for Twitter

I’m proof positive that Twitter is a great marketing tool for a home based business. There are 3 reasons why it’s powerful to use Twitter for small business. It takes literally about 15 minutes daily and provides a steady stream of leads for my business. It costs nothing but time.

Think of it this way: Twitter is an ongoing conversation from people all over the planet about what they’re doing, what they’re reading, what they’re watching, what they’re thinking – you get the idea.

There are 3 Reasons to Tweet:

#1 – It’s the easiest, fastest education on the planet

Follow people that you respect: gurus in your industry or authors of books you read. Soon, you’ll get immersed in exactly what they do, read, watch and think on a daily basis.

If you want to be like them, do what they do. You’d never get the chance to know so much about a person of stature as you do on Twitter.

People to follow in the home based business industry: Perry Belcher (web 2.0), Frank Kern (Copywriting), Mike Dillard (Strategy), Anthony Robbins (Mindset). Me, Steph Robey – if you want to see how a baby boomer, old school marketer uses Twitter. (pivot_positive@twittter.com)

Emulate them and get better results in your life.

#2 – It’s the easiest, fastest way to gain exposure in your industry

Facebook, YouTube, eZines, WordPress, Ping – all offer tools that allow you to automatically tweet when you upload a new video or blog or write a new article. So, as you’re building a following, look for people who have similar interests, people within your industry that can benefit from your content.

A link can be automatically sent out via Twitter to your followers each time you upload content. This helps to establish you as an expert and build credibility and trust with your followers.

Eventually, people make it back to your site(s), check out your business and become a prospect. Be careful not to sell. Build relationships first. Eventually, they’ll want to know what you do for a living and then tell them you do marketing and occasionally you teach people.

They’ll want to be part of the occasion so have a way for them to opt-in to your list and become part of your “tribe.”

#3 – It’s so fun, it’s addicting

Twitter’s like high school. You can hang out on the “mall” with the cool kids (see reason #1). You may not directly be a part of their “tribe” but you can listen in on what they’re doing reading, seeing, thinking and be in the “know”.

Then, you get to tweet to them about the things that you’re doing, reading, seeing, thinking and they retweet – send your message out to their own personal “tribe.” (See reason #2).

Supply value, have fun and build a following using Twitter for small business. Seth Godin wrote an excellent book on this called “Tribes.” Your list is basically your tribe and your goal should be to grow your tribe and it’s really easy to do with Twitter.

Be Big! Pass it on…

Steph Robey, Internet and Home Based Business Entrepreneur

Stephanie Robey has 20 years experience in graphic design and 10 years experience in online marketing. She’s started and sold 2 companies and remains on the board of directors of the third, PhotoSpin.com. You can meet her at http://www.MeetStephAndDave.com – her current Internet venture.

For a FREE 7-Day Video BootCamp: Self Employed And Rich, go to http://www.SelfEmployedAndRich.com

Can a small business really benefit from a blog? You bet your sweet can-can it can.

OK, so that’s too many cans for one article. Bottom line. You CAN run a small business blog and make it profitable. Here are a few tips on how:

• First, don’t try to swallow the whole apple in one bite. Take it slow. You may not need a daily blog. Start with a weekly blog and move up from there as you need to.
• Secondly, make a list of keywords before you do anything. Then, focus each blog entry on a single keyword. Write 150-200 words on that keyword and link back to your main web site.
• Thirdly, don’t promote your competitors. Promote yourself. No-brainer? You would think, but I see small businesses promoting their competition all the time.
• Fourthly, speak to your audience, not at them. Invite them to participate. Sponsor contests or encourage comments and interaction. That’s really what blogs are for.

Blogging is nothing new. It’s been around awhile. But it is relatively new for business. Some corporate blogs have been quite successful, but not too many small businesses are taking advantage of this free promotional tool. They should.

A blog on your small business web site gives you fresh new content every time you post a blog. That’s very important for search engine saturation. Also, every link from your blog to your web site is counted as a link by Yahoo! and MSN. Google is a little more strict, but that may not be important.

For one thing, Google is largely the search engine for corporate players and techies. The statistics that show Google’s market share are a bit skewed; that’s the big secret.

People who live on the web use Google. They make dozens of searches every day. Most people only make one or two searches a day. AOL users use AOL. Most new users of the Internet are using Yahoo, MSN or AOL. If you run a retail business, those search engines are more important to you than Google, so it’s important that you understand how your blog is being read by them.

Your local business can benefit from a company blog if you understand your customer and address each blog to meet their needs. Key things to remember:

• Blogging takes time. If you don’t have it, don’t start one. At least, don’t do it every day. Once a week or twice a week is OK. But keep a consistent schedule.
• Use a software that allows you to timestamp entries. You can write several at one time and set them to post at an appointed time.
• If you can’t do it yourself, hire someone to do it. You can get a blog ghostwriter for as little as $5 per post.
• Make it keyword focused, for the search engines.

Above all, have fun.

Starting out a new business is very difficult. It often takes about 6-7 years to be comfortable because of repeat business and relatively stable income. Working alone in a home business can lead to many bad habits that slow you down and affect the growth of your business. The tips below are from personal experience:

1. Set reasonable goals for yourself.
If you aren’t aiming for anything, you can’t hit a mark.

2. Have a positive attitude in life.
Optimists get further than pessimists.

3. Expect to hear the word “No” quite often.
Keep on plugging away. You will eventually get a “Yes.”

4. Be as organized as possible.
With time, effort, filing, moving around.

5. Be enthusiastic about anything you do.
Let others know that you are interested in what you are doing and achieving something.

6. If you don’t know, ask somebody.
Don’t waste your time trying to figure it out yourself. Time is money.

7. Schedule your time efficiently.
Time control will determine how much you get done.

8. Have a place where you can concentrate on work and doing it efficiently and professionally.
Especially for home business owners, set up a professional office! It establishes your mind set and helps keep you on task.

9. Get involved in life around your business.
This helps you find new clients and business opportunities. Attend community events, go to conferences, read related books, join a few networking groups, call company owners for advice.

10. Handle money very carefully and intelligently.
Work frugally until you can afford better. Even then, always save money for a rainy day. Avoid debt. Only real money in hand has real value!