Comments on: Use Twitter for Business? Tell Us About It http://www.searchinfluence.com/2009/08/use-twitter-for-business/ Sat, 04 Feb 2012 17:15:43 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.2.1 By: Donna Gehl http://www.searchinfluence.com/2009/08/use-twitter-for-business/#comment-27197 Donna Gehl Fri, 25 Sep 2009 14:34:46 +0000 http://www.searchinfluence.com/?p=1985#comment-27197 I have a full-service commercial photography studio with staff Photographers, Stylist, Retouchers and Editors. Having raised a teenage daughter years ago, I clearly understood the power of social media and where it was headed. Two years ago I suggested all my employees sign up on Linkedin and Facebook and use it to get their name out there and connect with people. Basically, I wanted them to make some friends, get reacquainted with old ones and find out what other people were doing. It’s important to me that all employees are revenue generators for our business. In January of 2009 I wanted for every employee to expand their web footprint even more so we created websites for each of our photographers and we also created some niche photography sites for targeting educational markets like colleges and universities. (Prior to 2009, we only had our one site www.imagestudios.com ) I also asked each employee to create their own blog. Nearly every staff member is a talented and artistic asset to our business and what they needed to know is that our customers want to see the images and stories that describe their personal and professional work. Today I have an active studio with plenty to blog about, and that is where Twitter comes in. Now that we have several websites, more than a dozen blogs and plenty of content to tweet about, we also find Twitter a great way to learn more about our customers and community events. If you are a business that gets involved with pro bono services, Twitter is a great place to not only let your followers know about it but help promote the non-profits even more. Lastly, I’ve found twitter to be a place where you will surely meet some of your competition, however, I welcome it as an opportunity to learn from them and gain more knowledge of what sets our business apart. I have a full-service commercial photography studio with staff Photographers, Stylist, Retouchers and Editors. Having raised a teenage daughter years ago, I clearly understood the power of social media and where it was headed.

Two years ago I suggested all my employees sign up on Linkedin and Facebook and use it to get their name out there and connect with people. Basically, I wanted them to make some friends, get reacquainted with old ones and find out what other people were doing. It’s important to me that all employees are revenue generators for our business.

In January of 2009 I wanted for every employee to expand their web footprint even more so we created websites for each of our photographers and we also created some niche photography sites for targeting educational markets like colleges and universities. (Prior to 2009, we only had our one site http://www.imagestudios.com ) I also asked each employee to create their own blog. Nearly every staff member is a talented and artistic asset to our business and what they needed to know is that our customers want to see the images and stories that describe their personal and professional work.

Today I have an active studio with plenty to blog about, and that is where Twitter comes in. Now that we have several websites, more than a dozen blogs and plenty of content to tweet about, we also find Twitter a great way to learn more about our customers and community events. If you are a business that gets involved with pro bono services, Twitter is a great place to not only let your followers know about it but help promote the non-profits even more.

Lastly, I’ve found twitter to be a place where you will surely meet some of your competition, however, I welcome it as an opportunity to learn from them and gain more knowledge of what sets our business apart.

]]> By: Tom Mulhall http://www.searchinfluence.com/2009/08/use-twitter-for-business/#comment-27173 Tom Mulhall Thu, 24 Sep 2009 21:47:28 +0000 http://www.searchinfluence.com/?p=1985#comment-27173 My wife and I own a 17 room boutique clothing optional resort located in Palm Springs, CA the sunniest city in the US. Social media has been the best thing that has happened to our resort since the web. We have been blogging for over 3 years. We have 2 versions. One is http://terracottainn.blogspot.com which is NSFW which is over 3 years old. The other is http://theterracottainn.blogspot.com which is safe for work and about 9 months old as I saw a need for it. I have been using twitter for over 9 months at http://twitter.com/nudist_resorts and facebook for about the past 2 months at http://facebook.com/terracottainn Social media has brought us more business than ppc advertising which I have cut back on. I highly recommend it. I am a past president of the Palm Springs Chamber of Commerce. We run a very conservative clothing optional resort which has been picked as one of the 10 best in the world by tripadvisor.com We are perfect for couples trying nude sunbathing for the first time. My wife and I own a 17 room boutique clothing optional resort located in Palm Springs, CA the sunniest city in the US. Social media has been the best thing that has happened to our resort since the web.

We have been blogging for over 3 years. We have 2 versions. One is http://terracottainn.blogspot.com which is NSFW which is over 3 years old. The other is http://theterracottainn.blogspot.com which is safe for work and about 9 months old as I saw a need for it.

I have been using twitter for over 9 months at http://twitter.com/nudist_resorts and facebook for about the past 2 months at http://facebook.com/terracottainn

Social media has brought us more business than ppc advertising which I have cut back on. I highly recommend it.

I am a past president of the Palm Springs Chamber of Commerce. We run a very conservative clothing optional resort which has been picked as one of the 10 best in the world by tripadvisor.com We are perfect for couples trying nude sunbathing for the first time.

]]> By: Brad http://www.searchinfluence.com/2009/08/use-twitter-for-business/#comment-27103 Brad Tue, 22 Sep 2009 17:34:23 +0000 http://www.searchinfluence.com/?p=1985#comment-27103 Hi Scott, For the last two months, I have been running social media campaigns for both Brite Sky Solar, www.briteskysolar.com and one of their affiliate businesses, Hydro Medix Technologies, www.hydromedixwater.com both small, independent businesses in Jacksonville, Florida. We are on Twitter, @briteskysolar & @hydromedix along with Facebook, Linkedin, and MySpace. While it has been great for building up our brand image, as each one has nearly 100 followers on Twitter, it has not resulted in any sales that I know of. Being that we sell higher ticket items, Solar Photo-Voltaic and Water treatment/softening systems respectively, I think it will come as we build more exposure for the two companies. I am always tinkering and trying to learn more about how to increase actual consumer traffic and have enjoyed the experience! Thank you for the information in your website and outreach to us small businesses :) @bradleygt89 Hi Scott,

For the last two months, I have been running social media campaigns for both Brite Sky Solar, http://www.briteskysolar.com and one of their affiliate businesses, Hydro Medix Technologies, http://www.hydromedixwater.com both small, independent businesses in Jacksonville, Florida. We are on Twitter, @briteskysolar & @hydromedix along with Facebook, Linkedin, and MySpace.

While it has been great for building up our brand image, as each one has nearly 100 followers on Twitter, it has not resulted in any sales that I know of. Being that we sell higher ticket items, Solar Photo-Voltaic and Water treatment/softening systems respectively, I think it will come as we build more exposure for the two companies. I am always tinkering and trying to learn more about how to increase actual consumer traffic and have enjoyed the experience!

Thank you for the information in your website and outreach to us small businesses :)

@bradleygt89

]]> By: earlpearl http://www.searchinfluence.com/2009/08/use-twitter-for-business/#comment-26879 earlpearl Thu, 17 Sep 2009 00:34:13 +0000 http://www.searchinfluence.com/?p=1985#comment-26879 In terms of diversity of efforts and experiences, this post is as good as it gets. Thanks Will. In terms of diversity of efforts and experiences, this post is as good as it gets. Thanks Will.

]]> By: Tiffany Starnes http://www.searchinfluence.com/2009/08/use-twitter-for-business/#comment-25637 Tiffany Starnes Thu, 13 Aug 2009 16:39:12 +0000 http://www.searchinfluence.com/?p=1985#comment-25637 Hi Will- Take a look at what <a href="http://www.feelgoodz.com/" rel="nofollow">Feelgoodz</a> is doing- targeted blog outreach for product give-aways, <a href="http://twitter.com/feelgoodz" rel="nofollow">Twitter with trackable urls</a> and genuine engagement with personality, videos & blog posts chronicling the Tour. He is doing a great job and has the traffic and conversion on site to prove it:) <a href="http://www.shopsucre.com/" rel="nofollow">Sucre</a> is also doing a great job with <a href="http://twitter.com/sucregelatovan" rel="nofollow">@sucregelatovan</a> and they also incorporate some SoMe tools like <a href="http://www.youtube.com/user/JDsNola" rel="nofollow">YouTube</a> and <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/36114627@N03/" rel="nofollow">Flickr</a> into their website. <a href="http://food.yatpundit.com/2009/07/name-the-omni-rib-room-bar-con.html" rel="nofollow">Omni Rib Room</a> just started to dip their toes into Twitter and their chef <a href="http://twitter.com/Chefspizale" rel="nofollow">Anthony Spizale</a> has been tweeting out specials and pictures for a while. They are currently crowd sourcing a bar name from the local community. They are very new to social media but are eager to incorporate it into their marketing mix. <a href="http://twitter.com/#!/voodoonola" rel="nofollow">Voodoo Music Experience</a> is doing an incredible job of engaging music fans and creating momentum for the Fest through Twitter. <a href="http://twitter.com/project30_90" rel="nofollow">Project 30-90</a> is also using Twitter and has <a href="http://www.facebook.com/pages/project-30-90/47198463830" rel="nofollow">several networking opportunities</a> on their website. Just a few. Will continue thinking. But I also think it is extremely important to define what business success is and how it is measured- traffic, time on site, sales, newsletter sign-ups, etc... And to look at tactics outside of Twitter that are aiding the conversation between businesses and customers. Hi Will-

Take a look at what Feelgoodz is doing- targeted blog outreach for product give-aways, Twitter with trackable urls and genuine engagement with personality, videos & blog posts chronicling the Tour. He is doing a great job and has the traffic and conversion on site to prove it:)

Sucre is also doing a great job with @sucregelatovan and they also incorporate some SoMe tools like YouTube and Flickr into their website.

Omni Rib Room just started to dip their toes into Twitter and their chef Anthony Spizale has been tweeting out specials and pictures for a while. They are currently crowd sourcing a bar name from the local community. They are very new to social media but are eager to incorporate it into their marketing mix.

Voodoo Music Experience is doing an incredible job of engaging music fans and creating momentum for the Fest through Twitter. Project 30-90 is also using Twitter and has several networking opportunities on their website.

Just a few. Will continue thinking. But I also think it is extremely important to define what business success is and how it is measured- traffic, time on site, sales, newsletter sign-ups, etc… And to look at tactics outside of Twitter that are aiding the conversation between businesses and customers.

]]> By: Austin http://www.searchinfluence.com/2009/08/use-twitter-for-business/#comment-25636 Austin Thu, 13 Aug 2009 15:03:43 +0000 http://www.searchinfluence.com/?p=1985#comment-25636 @workNOLA is another good example of a brand (in this case, a non-profit) that is using social media. Since launching http://worknola.com - Jobs for New Orleans, we've had 27,972 unique visits. 2,082 of those visits (7.44%) have come from twitter and another 718 (2.57% ) have come from facebook. @workNOLA is another good example of a brand (in this case, a non-profit) that is using social media. Since launching http://worknola.com – Jobs for New Orleans, we’ve had 27,972 unique visits. 2,082 of those visits (7.44%) have come from twitter and another 718 (2.57% ) have come from facebook.

]]> By: Rebekah Cain http://www.searchinfluence.com/2009/08/use-twitter-for-business/#comment-25610 Rebekah Cain Wed, 12 Aug 2009 20:12:12 +0000 http://www.searchinfluence.com/?p=1985#comment-25610 The Southeast Louisiana Chapter of the American Red Cross has spent the last month or so working on solidifying a social media presence. The National Chapter is doing amazing things with social media and is often sited by other groups as a great example. We are working to promote our mission of disaster preparedness and response via social media - for our chapter. It's a great platform for us to share information, engage the public and ensure that those in our service area are prepared for hurricanes, floods, tornadoes & fires (as well as other disasters). (Those four disasters are the highest threats/most common in our area.) We have started tweeting daily - talking about what our paid & volunteer staff are up to, sharing preparedness tips, letting people know about the classes we offer, etc: http://www.twitter.com/RedCrossSELA We also recently changed our Facebook presence from a couple of groups and a profile to a Page. This has been a great change and we hope to really engage our fans this way - and we are also encouraging our volunteers to tell some of their stories there, as well: http://www.facebook.com/pages/New-Orleans-LA/Southeast-Louisiana-Red-Cross/131277709895 AND - we just started a new blog (though I know it's not pretty - I'm working on that) for our NPRC (AmeriCorps) members that started last week. We'll have weekly postings from each to talk about their experiences here: http://www.arcno.org/index.php?pr=NPRC_Blog SEO is something we could do better, but with our limited resources, I'm trying to learn as much as I can (or get in-kind knowledge donations!) to improve our online presence. The Southeast Louisiana Chapter of the American Red Cross has spent the last month or so working on solidifying a social media presence. The National Chapter is doing amazing things with social media and is often sited by other groups as a great example. We are working to promote our mission of disaster preparedness and response via social media – for our chapter. It’s a great platform for us to share information, engage the public and ensure that those in our service area are prepared for hurricanes, floods, tornadoes & fires (as well as other disasters). (Those four disasters are the highest threats/most common in our area.)

We have started tweeting daily – talking about what our paid & volunteer staff are up to, sharing preparedness tips, letting people know about the classes we offer, etc:
http://www.twitter.com/RedCrossSELA

We also recently changed our Facebook presence from a couple of groups and a profile to a Page. This has been a great change and we hope to really engage our fans this way – and we are also encouraging our volunteers to tell some of their stories there, as well:
http://www.facebook.com/pages/New-Orleans-LA/Southeast-Louisiana-Red-Cross/131277709895

AND – we just started a new blog (though I know it’s not pretty – I’m working on that) for our NPRC (AmeriCorps) members that started last week. We’ll have weekly postings from each to talk about their experiences here:
http://www.arcno.org/index.php?pr=NPRC_Blog

SEO is something we could do better, but with our limited resources, I’m trying to learn as much as I can (or get in-kind knowledge donations!) to improve our online presence.

]]> By: Tom Daly http://www.searchinfluence.com/2009/08/use-twitter-for-business/#comment-25550 Tom Daly Tue, 11 Aug 2009 06:26:06 +0000 http://www.searchinfluence.com/?p=1985#comment-25550 I got my start with LinkedIn (http://www.linkedin.com/in/tomdaly2) as it seemed to be the most appropriate platform for my professional service business (insurance/employee benefits). My agency profile on LinkedIn is: http://www.linkedin.com/companies/hartwig-moss-benefits. I have been sending an email newsletter for about 7 years (using Constant Contact). I eventually started my Benefits@Work Blog (http://www.dalytom.com) and then came Twitter (http://twitter.com/TomDaly and http://twitter.com/HMBenefits). Currently redesigning website to integrate social media platforms. I don't do anything consciously to improve my search results. I am still primarily doing this all to communicate in a rapidly changing business environment. Thanks for listening. . .Tom I got my start with LinkedIn (http://www.linkedin.com/in/tomdaly2) as it seemed to be the most appropriate platform for my professional service business (insurance/employee benefits). My agency profile on LinkedIn is: http://www.linkedin.com/companies/hartwig-moss-benefits.

I have been sending an email newsletter for about 7 years (using Constant Contact). I eventually started my Benefits@Work Blog (http://www.dalytom.com) and then came Twitter (http://twitter.com/TomDaly and http://twitter.com/HMBenefits).

Currently redesigning website to integrate social media platforms. I don’t do anything consciously to improve my search results. I am still primarily doing this all to communicate in a rapidly changing business environment.

Thanks for listening. . .Tom

]]> By: Robert Turner http://www.searchinfluence.com/2009/08/use-twitter-for-business/#comment-25546 Robert Turner Tue, 11 Aug 2009 04:19:55 +0000 http://www.searchinfluence.com/?p=1985#comment-25546 Hey Scott, we are using social media to promote two home based businesses. I'm trying to follow the suggestions and ideas that I've gotten from you, TechAssistLA, and the Net2NO crowd. We are using FaceBook, Twitter, LinkedIn, and one blog Silk Road Collection - a home based online business that recently closed its retail store to focus on e-commerce website www.SilkRoadCollection.com - current website dev.SilkRoadCollection.com - website version 2.0 which has integrated WordPress blog, soon to be launched. I'm trying to use FB with our retail clients: http://www.facebook.com/SilkRoadCollection - FB Profile http://www.facebook.com/pages/Silk-Road-Collection/110782006046 - FB Fan Page I'm trying to use LinkedIn with our Interior Designer clients (a different market and message) http://www.linkedin.com/in/SilkRoadCollection I'm trying to figure out what to do with Twitter but am working on some ideas for how to use it. http://twitter.com/SilkRoadNOLA And we even have a MySpace account which was created by someone else and which I haven't even looked at for months until I had to look it up for this. I have no idea who those 27 "friends" are. http://www.myspace.com/422692315 Audubon Garden Cottage - small bed and breakfast - a home based service business. We haven't launched our website, so are using FB as a substitute. www.AudubonGardenCottage.com - our domain http://www.facebook.com/AudubonGardenCottage - FB Profile http://www.facebook.com/pages/New-Orleans-LA/Audubon-Garden-Cottage/117409706062 - FB Fan Page http://www.linkedin.com/in/AudubonGardenCottage http://twitter.com/AudubonGarden I'm also using my personal accounts to explore the media and either find a job or develop my own consulting service. (I've have four clients already!) http://www.facebook.com/Robert.H.Turner http://www.linkedin.com/in/RobertHTurner http://twitter.com/RobertHTurner Let me know if I can be of any help with your project. Best wishes, Robert Turner Hey Scott, we are using social media to promote two home based businesses. I’m trying to follow the suggestions and ideas that I’ve gotten from you, TechAssistLA, and the Net2NO crowd.

We are using FaceBook, Twitter, LinkedIn, and one blog

Silk Road Collection – a home based online business that recently closed its retail store to focus on e-commerce website
http://www.SilkRoadCollection.com – current website
dev.SilkRoadCollection.com – website version 2.0 which has integrated WordPress blog, soon to be launched.
I’m trying to use FB with our retail clients:
http://www.facebook.com/SilkRoadCollection – FB Profile
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Silk-Road-Collection/110782006046 – FB Fan Page
I’m trying to use LinkedIn with our Interior Designer clients (a different market and message)
http://www.linkedin.com/in/SilkRoadCollection
I’m trying to figure out what to do with Twitter but am working on some ideas for how to use it.
http://twitter.com/SilkRoadNOLA
And we even have a MySpace account which was created by someone else and which I haven’t even looked at for months until I had to look it up for this. I have no idea who those 27 “friends” are.
http://www.myspace.com/422692315

Audubon Garden Cottage – small bed and breakfast – a home based service business. We haven’t launched our website, so are using FB as a substitute.
http://www.AudubonGardenCottage.com – our domain
http://www.facebook.com/AudubonGardenCottage – FB Profile
http://www.facebook.com/pages/New-Orleans-LA/Audubon-Garden-Cottage/117409706062 – FB Fan Page
http://www.linkedin.com/in/AudubonGardenCottage
http://twitter.com/AudubonGarden

I’m also using my personal accounts to explore the media and either find a job or develop my own consulting service. (I’ve have four clients already!)
http://www.facebook.com/Robert.H.Turner
http://www.linkedin.com/in/RobertHTurner
http://twitter.com/RobertHTurner

Let me know if I can be of any help with your project.
Best wishes,
Robert Turner

]]> By: Thomas Sweeney http://www.searchinfluence.com/2009/08/use-twitter-for-business/#comment-25532 Thomas Sweeney Mon, 10 Aug 2009 18:17:21 +0000 http://www.searchinfluence.com/?p=1985#comment-25532 Media Links: Twitter http://www.twitter.com/sweeneysgrocery Blog http://sweeneysgrocery.blogspot.com/ I initially set up the blog b/c I did not have enough cash for a website. It turned into an easy way to update my current work and keep interested parties aware of the pieces that I'm working on. Recently got into Twitter - still a bit unsure when I am using it. However - I just lined up my 1st solo show in Charleston as a result of connection(s) via Twitter. Most of my marketing is by word of mouth and previous clients. I am anxious to see if I can use these other outlets to push my work further. Thanks Thomas Media Links:

Twitter http://www.twitter.com/sweeneysgrocery
Blog http://sweeneysgrocery.blogspot.com/

I initially set up the blog b/c I did not have enough cash for a website. It turned into an easy way to update my current work and keep interested parties aware of the pieces that I’m working on. Recently got into Twitter – still a bit unsure when I am using it. However – I just lined up my 1st solo show in Charleston as a result of connection(s) via Twitter. Most of my marketing is by word of mouth and previous clients. I am anxious to see if I can use these other outlets to push my work further.

Thanks
Thomas

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