Local Search Optimization | Spring Marketing Strategies

Can Twitter Really Help Your Small Business? – Entrepreneur.com .

How Do Businesses Use Twitter?

• A restaurant tweets daily specials.
• A ticket agency tweets about-to-expire tickets.
• A real estate agent tweets new homes on the market.
• A chamber of commerce tweets local events and promotions.
• A PR expert tweets publicity opportunities.
• An entrepreneur tweets co-marketing opportunities.

Tina Hilton, owner of virtual assistance company Clerical Advantage, says Twitter can be a valuable use of time and energy. “I have never gotten a client directly from Twitter,” Hilton says. “But have had several referrals from people I’ve connected with on Twitter.”

Using Twitter, or other forms of social networking like Facebook or LinkedIn, takes the long view. Instead of providing instant sales, Twitter is another way to build relationships and develop credibility and trust.