When a discussion moves towards social networking, Twitter does not escape a mention. As Twitter continues to add millions of users, marketers are waking up to the immense opportunities it offers. Many have jumped on to the bandwagon while still others are hoping to get the formula right in order to make the most of the tremendous opportunities available to them for marketing, product promotion and brand building.
This becomes possible because twitter can get you traffic from your niche market segment and that is what counts above the total number of hits. After all, it is not the click-through rate but the conversion rate that matters. Let’s get some insights into how you can go about the process of getting targeted traffic for your website with the use of Twitter, a social networking platform.
1. Opt for an appropriate handle
Your Twitter handle defines your personality on this networking platform. Ensure that it stands out. It should be relevant to your business domain. Before people get to know you enough to recognize your twitter presence, it is your handle that represents you. Your handle does not make you an instant hit with people but it does give people an insight into what you are all about unless it is a personal account. Use it to make the first impression.
2. Customize the profile
In real life, all the people are not clones of each other. A person’s overall personality does act as a differentiating factor. Do not forget this in the virtual world. Differentiate yourself by virtue of what you are all about. Move away from the standard profile features. Customize the background. If you represent an organization, a hint of that would do. Remember to keep it subtle.
An all out marketing effort in the initial stages will drive people away unless you represent an established brand with millions of customers.
3. Make an effort to incorporate real world elements
In case of an established business, use the company’s logo as the profile picture. Else, make sure to use your picture to add a personal touch. After all, a faceless entity is unlikely to appeal to people as much as a representation of a real life persona.
Networking calls for a personal presence. That is what human interaction is all about. Not many would like to interact with a seemingly automated twitter page.
4. Place the link to the website in your Twitter bio
This is a significant step in promotion of your website. The first thing that people want to read when they go to a twitter page is the Twitter bio. It gives information about you. Make it simple and precise and place the link alongside.
Those interested will click on the link to your website. This is the first step towards targeted traffic. Make sure that the website does match up to the effort that you put in on Twitter.
5. Promote your Twitter profile
As the Twitter profile is meant to get traffic for your website, try to maximize the number of followers. Make the twitter handle a part of your contact details. Your website, blogs and initiatives for interaction with consumers should all make a mention of your Twitter handle. Those who use Twitter prefer to get access to all information on this platform.
If you present your profile as a mode of information dispersal for people to keep abreast with the latest you have to offer, people are likely to recognize it by following you.
6. Interact and build relationships
A golden rule of marketing is that customer feedback is a must. Communication can never be a one way process. Even though your Twitter profile has a purpose, you cannot survive on Twitter if you do not show any interest in networking which is the basic premise of the very existence of the portal. People are more likely to listen to you if they trust you. Trust comes only with interaction.
7. Project yourself as a domain expert
Do not present yourself as a person who is marketing a particular product or business. That is your identity indeed and you cannot escape it but giving information on the domain as a whole keeps people interested in your tweets while opening the channels for communication at the same time.
This helps people in viewing you as a reliable source of information. In such a scenario, even when you promote your own product, people will believe you.
8. Become a part of the community
Be a regular at tweeting. Do not limit yourself to your brand messages. Give information on the latest developments in your field. Then you can differentiate your product as the one that offers quality. Make your contribution to the online community by answering people’s queries. A profile that acts purely as an avenue for advertising does not find favor with people.
9. Analyze the response you receive
Make an assessment of the number of hits your website gets through your Twitter profile and the number of conversions in comparison. Alter your strategy for communication if the results are less than satisfying. It takes time for you to build your presence on Twitter but you do need to incorporate changes in your strategy as per the results you get. Be aware of the timings when your tweets can get the maximum attention.
10. Utilize tools to achieve better results
Use specific keywords to search for people with interest in your domain. Follow them. This helps people in knowing about your Twitter presence. Solve people’s queries. Use tools that give you real time information on mentions of particular keywords in tweets. Use this information as your cue for action. Marketers need to keep on their toes to make the most of the opportunities they encounter.
Targeted traffic brings to you more business opportunities. These are the people who are looking for alternatives in your domain of business. Once you get people to your website, an effective product marketing campaign can do the trick for you.
The first task to accomplish is to get the traffic for your website and this is where Twitter comes into the picture. It’s free. It brings to you access to millions of people. All that is needed now is creativity and perseverance.
About the author: Margaret is a blogger by profession. She loves writing on environment and technology. Beside this she is fond of books. She recently did an article on polar graph paper. These days she is busy in writing an article on bonhams.