With a name as upbeat as Twitter and an action as adorable as tweeting, what could possibly ever go wrong when partaking in this sweet social media delight?
A lot.
Not to scare anyone off, but tweeting isn’t a child’s game when it comes to the business world. With over 140 million active users, Twitter has become a common form of messaging and communication. People have gotten fired, scandals have sparked and drama has unfolded by the wrong usage of a mere 140-character message. And as crazy as that sounds, it’s true.
So what can you and your company do to keep your tweets in line and keep your followers intrigued? Keep reading.
1) Start a conversation: Whether you’re simply asking your followers for advice on where the best place to order Chinese food is or you’re asking about insight toward a trending topic, Twitter interaction is a great thing. The more you interact, the more you see results. Striking up an interesting conversation is a fun way to connect with your company’s followers, as well as reach out to new ones.
2) Be responsible: Just because you have an opinion about something doesn’t mean your company does. Be careful not to misrepresent your company by tweeting about things that could cause controversy or confusion. Of course we believe that everyone is entitled to an opinion, but be responsible as to where, when and how you are voicing it. Also, keep in mind that your opinions/values/beliefs aren’t necessarily aligned with your company’s, so sharing personal thoughts (even on your own Twitter account) can shed negative light on you or your company and lead to trouble.
3) Share something: Some of the most interesting Twitter accounts to follow are the ones that teach or inform. So spread some knowledge and include interesting links to articles and posts, or maybe just a link that sends users to a fun site that resonates with your company image. You can also tweet about your company by tweeting links to articles or blog posts that keep followers up to date with your latest news and happenings.
4) Have a consistent voice: It’s not uncommon for more than one person in a company to help manage social media accounts. But just because you know there is more than one person behind the scenes doesn’t mean your followers should. To eliminate this problem, develop a Twitter voice standard. Designate a specific tone and language to be used and operate under that same consistent volume. By doing this followers won’t feel confused by an ever-changing Twitter brand voice.
5) Hold true to your image: Every company has a brand image. Whether you’re more conservative or cutting-edge, you have an image to uphold—even on Twitter. This means staying true to your company’s core values and channeling those same beliefs through all mediums. This also means holding your ground. If your company is a proud supporter of the green movement, make sure your tweets reflect that same message. If you start tweeting about things that don’t mesh with your brand image, scrutiny could arise—so be prepared.
Have any Twitter advice? Share your own tweeting tips on our Facebook page.
