“I don’t see what all the hype is about Twitter. Even if someone forced me to create an account, I doubt I’d even use it.”
This was the exact thought I had each time someone spoke of Twitter. However, since joining the #DrurySMS program, I’ve retracted that thought. The program has allowed me to see the benefits of this fast-paced social media platform.
Now I don’t know about you, but sometimes venturing out onto a new social media platform leaves me confused as to how all of the features actually work. If you also fall into this same boat, then here is a quick guide about the highlights of Twitter and how these features can benefit you and potentially your business.
Twitter 101
To begin, Twitter does not have the same goal as Facebook. According to A. Glaser, “Twitter isn’t about friending – it’s about following.” Users have the ability to follow whomever and whatever genre of content they so choose.
Twitter is not the type of platform where the goal is to catch every post. Instead, users should see it as a “giant hangout – an open and rich chat room that’s happening in public.” Furthermore, as stated in the article, “Twitter: Where Content is King,” it allows you to participate in “real-time conversations.”
Tweets
At the beginning, 140 characters was the maximum limit for a tweet. In 2017, the limit was raised to 280. H. Burrell states, “the basic premise of only having 140 [or 280] characters with which to say something has become something of an art form for some users.”
With tweets, users have the ability to like, share (retweet), and bookmark to review later. That said, while Twitter has many of the same features as other social media sites, one of the unique features for this site is the use of hashtags.
What is a Hashtag?
H. Burrell describes a hashtag as “a simple way to tag your tweets with a relevant word or phrase: just don’t use spaces.” As a result of the use of hashtags, the words and phrases become an “index” that people can easily follow.”
Users can search hashtags just as one might search for a person or brand. Results will show the previous use of the hashtag and by whom. If a hashtag is used often by a multitude of users, it can “trend” on Twitter.
Benefiting Your Business
A Constant Contact survey showed that “60% of a brand’s followers are more likely to perform purchases or recommend products after following the brand on Twitter…50% of the followers are actually more likely to buy or sign up for services from the brands they follow.”
Twitter also serves as a source for a brand to show its personality. “Benefits of Twitter for Business” states, “tweeting about your people and your brand’s personality gives followers a sense of your business as more than just a supplier of goods or services.”
Still Deciding?
For more insights into the fast-paced world of Twitter, view this video published by the MDJG Marketing Group: