Twitter is often thought of as a social tool… a way to keep up with your friends on what they are doing at any given moment. It can, however, be a powerful business tool. Countless businesses from software developers to illustrators to the New York Times use Twitter to keep their “followers” up-to-date on their latest happenings. Along with your website, newsletter and other networking tools, Twitter is just another way to keep people up-to-date on your graphic design business and remind them of what you do.
Your Twitter Account
In order to get followed or follow others, you first need a Twitter account. Signing up for Twitter is easy… they only ask for a name, username, password and email address to get started. Your username will also act as your Twitter URL, a place to send people who want the latest on your business. Once signed up, you can add minimal profile information, such as a photo and one line bio, as the idea of Twitter is that is serves one purpose well… “To communicate and stay connected through the exchange of quick, frequent answers to one simple question: What are you doing?”
Following and Followers
Once a member, Twitter is based on those that you follow and those that follow you. If using Twitter as a business tool, getting a following is key. Start by following those you know who are already on Twitter, whether they be individuals or businesses, and many will likely follow you back. You can search for people you know and simply choose to follow them from their profile page. You can also promote your Twitter page on your website, in newsletters and in other forms of communication with your clients. Those who are on Twitter will hopefully choose to follow you, and you will have an instant way to give them an update.
What to “Tweet”
Once you are on Twitter it’s time to create your first “tweet.” Since you are building a business audience, you may decide it’s best to keep your tweets business related. If this is the case and you want to Twitter on a personal level, create a separate account. You can include updates on anything, from a link to a recently completed project to a note about what you are working on… anything that may be of interest to potential or existing clients. Even if Twittering leads to one graphic design project it will be worth the relatively minimal time put into the tool.