2 minute read
social media Twitter for B2B
For many people reading this article there will be a certain scepticism about social media in general. “It’s a waste of time” “No ROI” “I’m sticking to what I’ve always done” “Relationships are built face-to-face” are the sort of objections I hear on a daily basis from businesses. As this article goes to print it’s just under three years since I first attended a business networking meeting. As a startup business I had zero budget, I’d done zero traditional marketing, at the time I had neither a website or business cards. Yet as I walked into the room of 25+ people and said I was Alex from Altrincham HQ over 50% of the room knew who I was, and yes, it was the first time we’d met face to face. This was quite simply because of twitter! Even now I have a website which has hundreds of visitors reading the blogs each week. I’m a well known networker without being a serial one. It’s often twitter, and my 5000+ followers, which is the start of my relationship with other businesses in Trafford. Through that I get to Meet>Like>Know>Trust other businesses, to which we refer work each other’s way.
Five core benefits of using Twitter
1. Define your USP and personality
What makes you different from your competitors? Twitter is essentially a micro-blog that allows you to dripfeed your USP out there.
2. Strengthen existing relationships
Those face to face meetings that are so important. Twitter allows you to keep in touch between the local business networking meetings.
3. Build new relationships
Imagine a twitter follow as a gentle tap on the shoulder. It’s a chance to reach out to potential new contacts without the formalities of LinkedIn.
4. Drive traffic to your website
Statistics reveal mobile users check their phones 150 times a day. Social media and Twitter in particular are prime traffic drivers to your website. Twitter + Weekly Blogs = Success
5. Win business
Last and definitely not least. Twitter does win you business.
Five things you need to do to make the most of Twitter
4. Give Give Give Ask
Give a lot, but don’t be afraid for the ask moment. It’s how you’re going to win the business!
5. Measure Results
Define your objectives and measure the results against it - working online you can measure everything and adapt accordingly. Think how that compares to Tradvertising for a while.
1. Use local hashtags
#Altrincham #Saletown #Urmston - think of all the local towns in Trafford. People think hyper-local, you should too.
2. Engage with people
Do you know that really annoying person at business networking meetings who just sells at you and never asks how you are? Don’t be that equivalent online. Out-care your competition and show an interest in others.
3. Do it daily
Many B2B businesses think of twitter as like their weekly/monthly newsletter i.e sporadic and a one time hit. You don’t have to spend your life on twitter but 30 minutes throughout the day is time well spent.
Alex McCann
Altrincham HQ www.altrinchamhq.co.uk
