Copy of powerpoint used for the Twitter Fundamentals workshop for Jonesboro businesses at the ASU Delta Center Thursday, June 22nd by the ASU Small Business and Technology Development Center

1. Twitter for Business
Presentation via Herb Lawrence
Center Director ASU SBTDC
@asbtdc_asu Special Thanks to Our Sponsors

2. What is Twitter?
“Twitter is an information network. Millions of people,
organizations, and businesses use it to discover and share new
information.” – via Twitter.com
∗Twitter allows you to read and write short messages (called
tweets) that are displayed publically and can be searched.
∗You decide who’s messages you want to read by following
other accounts and people choose to read your messages by
follow your account.
∗You can use Twitter at your desk or on the go!

3. via twitter.com/what-is-twitter
http://pinterest.com/pin/273382639850698413/

4. The Lingo – a Twitter Glossary
Tweet: the 140 character message you share or read on Twitter.
Includes punctuation & links.
Retweet (RT): if you see a tweet by another user you want to
share, you click Retweet to send it out to your followers instantly.
Twitter Tag: when you sign up for Twitter you choose a username
this becomes your twitter tag: @username. People can then
directly interface with you via Twitter.
Mention: Once you have a Twitter Tag, you can mention others
and people can mention you in their tweets. Example:
“@asbtdc_asu I’m in your workshop, and I’m tweeting you!”

5. The Lingo - continued
Message (DM): If you want to privately share with another user on Twitter
you can Direct Message them if they are already following you.
Example: “DM (or D) @asbtdc_asu I’m really confused, can I ask you a
question later?”
Hashtag (#): Many users will create a tweet centered around certain
topics. You can use a hashtag to send your message to others also
interested in that topic.
Example: “Businesses are using social networks more every day – see the
stats here: http://blahbl.ah #socialmedia #business”
Short Links: web addresses can be really long and take up all of your
room. Using a short link can help save room in your tweets.
Example: http://www.asbtdc-asu.com/do-it-yourself-bookmarks-for-
business.htm --- can be shortened to: http://ow.ly/5DBNk
•You can get a full glossory at: https://support.twitter.com/entries/166337-the-twitter-glossary

6. Twitter & Your Website
∗ Twitter is growing by leaps and bounds & will continue to grow
with the new integration of all Apple devices running iOS 5,
released this fall.
∗ Great for direct website traffic, interacting with a niche industry
or community.
∗ More targeted audiences & analytics of click through rates
and targets on links.
∗ Great way to build yourself as a resource in an industry & you
can be found locally, nationally & internationally.

7. Think About Your Online Strategy
• What are your goals?
– Education? Sales? Phone Call?
– Lead Generation?
– Communicating an idea, thought, or brand?
– How are you currently trying to reach them?
• Do you have a website?
– Is it updated? Do you have control? Is it flexible?
– Are your customers finding and using your website?

8. Do some research…
∗ Before you get started spend some time searching
on http://search.twitter.com for the keywords you
think people would be using when discussing your
business, industry or product. Try Social Mention
http://www.socialmention.com
∗ Listening first can help you decide if this social
network is where you need to be and will also
allow you to see how others are using the platform
in your industry.

9. Let’s get familiar with Twitter
http://twitter.com

10. Let’s Take A Break!
Follow Me on Twitter!
www.twitter.com/asbtdc_asu

11. Hands On in Twitter
http://twitter.com

12. Setting Up An Account
∗ Choose a short & memorable twitter tag for your business. Name
of business works best.
∗ Fill in as many fields as possible in the profile. Great for search
engine & also helps people identify if you are worth the follow!
∗ USE A PHOTO – this is important – credibility is crucial on Twitter and
most “spammers” do not have a photo set, don’t get lumped with
the rest!
∗ Don’t get too excited – take it easy. Don’t auto follow anybody –
you will get kicked off. In the beginning, follow relevant, local
people you trust. Don’t follow more than 100 people in one day –
spread it out and take your time.
∗ Tweet something before you start following people – put out at
least 10 tweets. People won’t follow you if you aren’t saying
anything.

13. Beware!
∗ Don’t click on links with suspicious
messages.
∗ There will be people who follow you that
are “spammers” you can recognize them
by:
∗ Same message over and over again.
∗ Photo is an easter egg.
∗ Photo is a scantly dressed female or male.
∗ They are following 1,000+ people with 0 followers.

14. Time Management
Hootsuite, TweetDeck, Twuffer…
You have options – if maintaining a strong
Twitter presence you should be tweeting
often. Anywhere from 15-25 times/day.
Schedule. Respond. Retweet. Share.

15. Let’s look at Hootsuite
http://hootsuite.com

16. Best Practices via Twitter
Build your following, reputation, and customer's trust with these
simple practices:
Share. Share photos and behind the scenes info about your business.
Even better, give a glimpse of developing projects and events. Users
come to Twitter to get and share the latest, so give it to them!
Listen. Regularly monitor the comments about your company, brand,
and products.
Ask. Ask questions of your followers to glean valuable insights and show
that you are listening.
Respond. Respond to compliments and feedback in real time.
*Source: http://business.twitter.com/basics/best-practices

17. Best Practices… Continued
Reward. Tweet updates about special offers, discounts and time-
sensitive deals.
Demonstrate wider leadership and know-how. Reference articles and
links about the bigger picture as it relates to your business.
Champion your stakeholders. Retweet and reply publicly to great tweets
posted by your followers and customers.
Establish the right voice. Twitter users tend to prefer a direct, genuine,
and of course, a likable tone from your business, but think about your
voice as you Tweet. How do you want your business to appear to the
Twitter community?
*Source: http://business.twitter.com/basics/best-practices

18. Let’s Summarize
∗ Great video from Howcast to help freshen your memory
tomorrow:
∗ http://youtu.be/JXPmI4YaOpM

19. Thanks Again --
ASBTDC Online:
Facebook:
http://www.facebook.com/ASU.SBTDC
Twitter:
http://twitter.com/asbtdc_asu
Blog:
http://www.asbtdc-asu.com/
Connect with Herb on LinkedIn:
http://www.linkedin.com/in/asusbtdc
Thanks For Coming!