by Brady Rutgarr

Created on: October 28, 2009

Everyone is flocking to Twitter.com these days and the all the chicks are tweeting. With all the attention that Social Networking sites bring, it's inevitable that people begin to consider how they can use them to increase their cash flow. Many will try, most will fail, but the true entrepreneurs will take the time to learn the best way to make money with Twitter.

While the concept of using sites like Twitter for profit may seem alien to the average Internet user looking to mix, mingle, and stay in touch with friends electronically, there are still a large number of people and businesses looking to capitalize on the latest online craze. Unfortunately, many of these marketing hopefuls miss the boat and spend their time spamming affiliate marketing links to random strangers. This is the perfect example of how not to make money with Twitter.

There are two basic approaches for leading a successful Twitter campaign: one for individuals representing blogs or articles, and one for businesses looking to increase their online presence. The biggest mistake a novice can make is blurring those lines. Some businesses can get away with acting like an individual, but it's hard for individuals to succeed with the business approach.

For simplicity sake, I will start with the business approach. Adding your business Twitter username to your cards and correspondance can be a good way to keep your loyal customers informed of your latest deals. Increasing the incentive to follow your business on Twitter can be as simple as offering a Twitter-only deal. (Follow us on Twitter today to receive an additional 5% off!) Why would a business want customers to follow them on Twitter? Why not!? Seeing periodic updates on sales and services is just another way to keep your clients reminded that you're still there, awaiting their repeat purchase or service request.

Some things to keep in mind when promoting a business: Soliciting your customers to follow you on Twitter is one thing, spamming random people is another. Don't cross the line. If you want news of your business to spread, the best path to success is to offer excellent service and to be courteous at all times, that includes your interactions in cyberspace. Wild fires work both ways and if it isn't clearing the fields, it's probably burning your house down. Next, don't be afraid to tweet information that may be useful to those following your business. If you own a carpet cleaning shop, you might tweet a blog post you found for tips

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