by Sheila Koester

Created on: March 23, 2010

     Twitter helps businesses connect with customers by writing and reading messages of up to 140 characters. Businesses may use this platform to broadcast company information, gather marketing data, and build business relationships with current and future customers and partners. Individuals may communicate with a company through Twitter to relate their experience with business services, suggest ideas for new products, or learn about new business ventures and promotions.

      The first way that businesses can use Twitter is as a personal branding platform. A company can use this social media platform to broadcast information about business products to customers. Through Twitter, a business is connected and approachable, inviting friendly communication with customers. Twitter messaging sets the business apart from other companies offering the same product or service. For example, a bicycle company might post information related to experiences riding the company’s brand along the Appalachian Trail.

      A second way that Twitter helps businesses get feedback on a company’s blog or website is through message dissemination asking for advice from other users. Twit This permits visitors to post Twitter messages about company services and products. Tweetbeep tracks Twitter conversations that mention the company owner or other business associates, background information about the company, and the products and/or services offered by the company. Tweet Later tracks keywords, replies, schedules tweets, and sends welcome direct messages. Tweetmailer generates email notifications when a company’s Twitter account attracts new followers.

      Three more ways businesses can obtain the most benefits from a Twitter account are by making new friends to connect with in future business relationships, network for the benefits of forming new business relationships, and find potential business prospects online. Twitter has a built-in function used to connect with others by tracking the messages sent by them. A Twitter acquaintance might lead to a long-term friendly relationship. Twitter is also a platform to connect and interact with industry peers. It is a way for business owners to establish relationships with other business professionals for future benefits involving testimonials or peer recommendations.  Businesses can obtain future business prospects via a

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