Here’s a recap of our fave tweets from this week’s informative and insightful chat. We’d love to hear from you! Please feel free to comment below and share your two cents on these questions.
Please welcome our guest @azurecollier from @ConstantContact. Topic: How Small Businesses Can Use Twitter to Drive Business. #TwitterSmarter pic.twitter.com/idqagg1fjt
— Madalyn Sklar ? (@MadalynSklar) March 2, 2017
We invited our friends from Hootsuite to come on the chat and kick it off by answering one pressing question about Twitter marketing.
Ask @hootsuite: What is social listening and how can this help me on Twitter? #TwitterSmarter pic.twitter.com/EabMD3e0X9
— Madalyn Sklar ? (@MadalynSklar) March 2, 2017
1|5 Social Listening: The process of finding & assessing what is being said about a topic on social channels @MadalynSklar #TwitterSmarter pic.twitter.com/HkITIRG0U1
— Hootsuite (@hootsuite) March 2, 2017
2|5 Social Listening can help you on Twitter by discovering relevant conversations to your interests! @MadalynSklar #TwitterSmarter
— Hootsuite (@hootsuite) March 2, 2017
3|5 Whether you’re a brand/business or individual, social listening can help you make meaningful connections @MadalynSklar #TwitterSmarter pic.twitter.com/jHtKDtRh7X
— Hootsuite (@hootsuite) March 2, 2017
4|5 Even more so, social listening can help businesses get feedback, find leads and run customer care @MadalynSklar #TwitterSmarter pic.twitter.com/xTVDXPszOG
— Hootsuite (@hootsuite) March 2, 2017
5|5 If you’d like to learn more about social listening check out this blog post https://t.co/a1An6ooqSu @MadalynSklar #TwitterSmarter
— Hootsuite (@hootsuite) March 2, 2017
Q1: How can Small Businesses benefit from their Twitter Presence? #TwitterSmarter pic.twitter.com/85LDydtGVO
— Madalyn Sklar ? (@MadalynSklar) March 2, 2017
A1 So many benefits for small businesses on #Twitter! Get the word out about what you do, find prospects through search … #twittersmarter
— Azure Collier ✨ (@azurecollier) March 2, 2017
A1 Create community among your customers and your industry. Look for common hashtags/topics & tweet chats #twittersmarter
— Azure Collier ✨ (@azurecollier) March 2, 2017
A1 Customer service-HUGE on #Twitter. 30% of #socialmedia users prefer customer service on social https://t.co/FPIk4M0pOi #twittersmarter
— Azure Collier ✨ (@azurecollier) March 2, 2017
A1: There are so many benefits to small businesses on social media. It's a great way to connect, learn & share. #TwitterSmarter
— Madalyn Sklar ? (@MadalynSklar) March 2, 2017
A1: learn what key issues are for your audience. Meet key influencers. Reach bigger audience cost effectively #twittersmarter https://t.co/VABIPVMYSB
— Nicole Osborne ? (@Lollipop_Social) March 2, 2017
A1 to experiment with how to communicate with their audience #twittersmarter @MadalynSklar https://t.co/aLymd6QHRm
— Dr Ross Espinoza ? (@DrRossEspinoza) March 2, 2017
A1 It's the perfect outlet 2 let yourself be seen and known, start conversations, listen. With dedication, you can stand out #TwitterSmarter https://t.co/448zZsetaM
— Zala Bricelj (@ZalkaB) March 2, 2017
A1: They can parse down their target audiences (customers, influencers, media) using lists & better engage those audiences. #twittersmarter
— Javier Sanabria (@SanabriaJav) March 2, 2017
A1: Twitter lets SMBs connect with peers, patrons, and pros in one place. Great for non-competitive businesses connections #TwitterSmarter
— Miranda Paquet (@mirandapaquet) March 2, 2017
A1.1) In a small business you wear many hats. SoMe tools allow novices to multiply their presence at minimal cost. #TwitterSmarter
— Tom Reid (@GovConSME) March 2, 2017
A1: Establish trust/thought leadership, build a #tribe around your brand, reach influencers and journalists #TwitterSmarter https://t.co/zki0H7Pv2L
— Stacey DePolo ? (@sdepolo) March 2, 2017
A1 @MadalynSklar For me twitter is for conversations, this way you can talk and hear your audience/clients #TwitterSmarter @ZalkaB
— Alberto Gómez (@alberMoire) March 2, 2017
A1: It's a great tool to connect locally or globally with quick and short messages, ideal for our busy society #twittersmarter
— Sabrina Cadini (@SabrinaCadini) March 2, 2017
A1. #SmallBusiness use their #Twitter presence to creating large scale brand awareness & reach more potential customers #twittersmarter pic.twitter.com/9mxnXnGkn3
— ✨Eloquent Content✨ (@eloquentcontent) March 2, 2017
Q2: How does Twitter fit into an overall social media marketing strategy for Small Businesses? #TwitterSmarter pic.twitter.com/9uwlmiK3wI
— Madalyn Sklar ? (@MadalynSklar) March 2, 2017
A2 It fits if your customers are using it. Survey them (via an #email of course!), ask them when they're at your biz. #twittersmarter
— Azure Collier ✨ (@azurecollier) March 2, 2017
A2 Use #Twitter to listen. What are people tweeting about you? Your industry? Use this info to improve your biz & strategy #twittersmarter
— Azure Collier ✨ (@azurecollier) March 2, 2017
A2 Decide who your audience is and what you're going to use Twitter for. Helpful tips? Promotion? Customer service? #twittersmarter
— Azure Collier ✨ (@azurecollier) March 2, 2017
A2: Twitter fits into your social media plan as a way to connect with your tribe & build your community. #TwitterSmarter
— Madalyn Sklar ? (@MadalynSklar) March 2, 2017
A2 essentially it boils to two B2B+B2C=Human-Human- H2H can't beat the strength of in the moment engagement (in person does) #TwitterSmarter https://t.co/3LykKuMl7v
— Solé Marketing (@AskSole) March 2, 2017
A2: Twitter is your relationship builder. Immediacy of the platform lets customers have real-time experiences #TwitterSmarter
— Lori Friedrich (@lorifriedrich) March 2, 2017
A2 Many of the #smallbiz folks I know love #Twitter because they've been able to monetize it. #winning #TwitterSmarter pic.twitter.com/tEzJz2BKyD
— Sue Duris (@SueDuris) March 2, 2017
A2) Used without a reason it can become an immense time waster. Apply discipline and focus. #TwitterSmarter
— Tom Reid (@GovConSME) March 2, 2017
A2: Twitter fits perfectly into a brand's relationship-building strategy, but a poor fit as a sales pitching tool. #TwitterSmarter
— Randy Thio (@ideabloke) March 2, 2017
A2: As a self-published author I've used Twitter to meet people. When we grow comfortable with each other, we connect on FB. #TwitterSmarter
— Zachary Fenell (@zacharyfenell) March 2, 2017
A2: Twitter is great for customer comments, audience interaction & more! It can be used in different ways than other outlets #TwitterSmarter
— Venture Icon Media (@VentureIcon) March 2, 2017
A2: It's great for sales and networking but honestly, as someone with #anxiety, it's a great place to hang and get support. #twittersmarter
— AK Kerani (@AKKerani) March 2, 2017
@MadalynSklar A2 FB is very granular+efficient w/ targeting. Twitter is getting there. Budget mktg $$ according to reach #TwitterSmarter
— Nancy Casanova (@nancycasanova) March 2, 2017
Q3: What are some pro-tips for getting started with Twitter effectively to maximize your efforts? #TwitterSmarter pic.twitter.com/mg4dTNZlrh
— Madalyn Sklar ? (@MadalynSklar) March 2, 2017
A3 Search for keywords about your biz to see if people are tweeting about the products/services you offer. Reach out to them #twittersmarter
— Azure Collier ✨ (@azurecollier) March 2, 2017
A3 Grow your audience-use #email, other #socialmedia profiles, website, signs to let your customers know you're there #twittersmarter
— Azure Collier ✨ (@azurecollier) March 2, 2017
A3 Commit to a schedule. Make time to listen, respond, and share content. Consistency is key on #Twitter #twittersmarter
— Azure Collier ✨ (@azurecollier) March 2, 2017
A3: If you follow my Twitter Secret Sauce, you'll definitely maximize your efforts on Twitter. #TwitterSmarter pic.twitter.com/IP0hrl2W41
— Madalyn Sklar ? (@MadalynSklar) March 2, 2017
A3: Never link your accounts; it seems easy to have Facebook auto post to Twitter… take the time to make separate tweets. #TwitterSmarter https://t.co/j1fhCshJem
— SaintA (@SaintAorg) March 2, 2017
A3: Research Twitter chats in your industry and join them. Chats like #TwitterSmarter are filled with real, helpful people. Follow!
— Zachary Fenell (@zacharyfenell) March 2, 2017
A3 Hashtag & key word search your industry & audience. Try misspellings, too. #sociallistening #TwitterSmarter
— Mike Godleman? (@MissingATrick) March 2, 2017
A4. Notice what you're sending out that gets the most engagement, once you start to see trends, expand related content #twittersmarter pic.twitter.com/wcjrbLGJUj
— ✨Eloquent Content✨ (@eloquentcontent) March 2, 2017
A3: Don’t only share your own stuff! Content curation builds goodwill in your industry and credibility with your audience. #TwitterSmarter
— Miranda Paquet (@mirandapaquet) March 2, 2017
@MadalynSklar A3: This principe inspired by @hootsuite works really well for small businesses starting out on Twitter #TwitterSmarter pic.twitter.com/5rsYe7lhYm
— Hey Dip Your Toes In (@dipyourtoesin) March 2, 2017
A3: Be consistent and proactive. Be sure to listen as much as you speak; Twitter should be a conversation! #TwitterSmarter pic.twitter.com/5BMzLmbCom
— Mallie Rust (@malliefe2o3) March 2, 2017
A3: Think about outcomes. What does your biz need? How can Twitter be used to engage community and help you be successful? #twittersmarter https://t.co/0d7MJt8NP5
— Staci Baird (@ProfBaird) March 2, 2017
A3.3: Research your handle! If you're known as (@)WXYZbiz on FB, make sure it's avail on Twitter (and others). @MadalynSklar #TwitterSmarter
— ?JMatt (@JMattMke) March 2, 2017
Q4: What are some best tips to use Twitter Analytics to Increase Audience Engagement? #TwitterSmarter pic.twitter.com/AHzhb9kArs
— Madalyn Sklar ? (@MadalynSklar) March 2, 2017
A4 Check your tweet activity metrics. If you see spikes in engagement, revisit the content you shared & see what worked #twittersmarter
— Azure Collier ✨ (@azurecollier) March 2, 2017
A4 Look at audience metrics-helps you find out audience interests so you can create and share relevant content #twittersmarter
— Azure Collier ✨ (@azurecollier) March 2, 2017
A4: You can access your Twitter Analytics here: https://t.co/8WRP5jPRDG. Be sure to check it regularly. #TwitterSmarter
— Madalyn Sklar ? (@MadalynSklar) March 2, 2017
A4: Study analtyics to see what your following likes (is most popular) and implement that type of content more. #TwitterSmarter
— Zachary Fenell (@zacharyfenell) March 2, 2017
A4: Engagement happens when audience and content connect. Analytics helps pinpoint the WHO, WHERE & WHEN of your audience. #TwitterSmarter
— Randy Thio (@ideabloke) March 2, 2017
A4 check our who your top followers are, top mentions & top tweets to who you could "hang out" with and what language works #TwitterSmarter https://t.co/mn87cHYaGj
— Dr Ross Espinoza ? (@DrRossEspinoza) March 2, 2017
@MadalynSklar A4: Analyze it, look for patterns, trends and incorporate it to your way of gaining an audience. #twittersmarter
— Justin Bienvenue ? (@JustinBienvenue) March 2, 2017
A4: See how many users your content is reaching and compare to how many are actually engaging. #TwitterSmarter pic.twitter.com/S67JUHQrAA
— Katelyn Brower ? (@BrowerKDnB) March 2, 2017
A4b. I take it a step further and use Hootsuite Insights & @Brandwatch for social listening/analytics. Lots of info there! #TwitterSmarter
— Nick Martin (@NickAtHootsuite) March 2, 2017
A4: Go back and look at your top tweets, infer why those tweets did well. Was it time, was it the hashtag, a visual element? #TwitterSmarter
— ?JMatt (@JMattMke) March 2, 2017
A4: Use your anlytics to see what's converting. Understanding how your strategy meets your business goals is critical #TwitterSmarter pic.twitter.com/HvlNpuDM9n
— Mallie Rust (@malliefe2o3) March 2, 2017
A4: Make sure you're measuring Twitter's actual impact on business, not just vanity metrics! #twittersmarter
— Rustin Nethercott (@rnetherc) March 2, 2017
A4. Notice what you're sending out that gets the most engagement, once you start to see trends, expand related content #twittersmarter pic.twitter.com/wcjrbLGJUj
— ✨Eloquent Content✨ (@eloquentcontent) March 2, 2017
Q5: How can Small Businesses leverage Twitter as their customer service channel? #TwitterSmarter pic.twitter.com/8TGKW7w2Oh
— Madalyn Sklar ? (@MadalynSklar) March 2, 2017
A5 Get mobile & desktop notifications for mentions & DMs so you can respond ASAP to customer service questions #twittersmarter
— Azure Collier ✨ (@azurecollier) March 2, 2017
A5: How to use Twitter for customer services https://t.co/RYdbfBMUhl #TwitterSmarter pic.twitter.com/wr1I5lGGvk
— Madalyn Sklar ? (@MadalynSklar) March 2, 2017
A5: Make responding to tweets and Twitter DMs a priority. Build a reputation as a responsive account. #TwitterSmarter
— Zachary Fenell (@zacharyfenell) March 2, 2017
A5: Respond to and engage with everyone – complaints, compliments, questions. #twittersmarter https://t.co/Cav5F759vN
— Dan Gingiss (@dgingiss) March 2, 2017
A5 #Smallbiz should use #Twitter for many things incl #custsvc. And dbl-down on best practices brands use and be better! #TwitterSmarter
— Sue Duris (@SueDuris) March 2, 2017
A5 Be responsive to any inquiries that come in! A reputation for customer service on twitter builds over time #TwitterSmarter pic.twitter.com/UoI7s6lbzm
— HeyOrca! (@HeyOrca) March 2, 2017
A5 NOT much value in judging a company by the complaints they get on #Twitter, BUT judging their responses is instructive! #twittersmarter
— Chaim Shapiro (@ChaimShapiro) March 2, 2017
A5: Respond in a timely manner and include customer service hours in your bio so people know when they might get a response. #TwitterSmarter
— Express Writers (@ExpWriters) March 2, 2017
A5: Quick answer: Create a 'Support' Account (e.g. Business name + 'Support' or 'Cares') dedicated to support only #twittersmarter
— Philip Ashburne (@MarketingBrotha) March 2, 2017
@MadalynSklar A5: Tweet out the right info at according times, use analytics and lists to better reach people. #twittersmarter
— Justin Bienvenue ? (@JustinBienvenue) March 2, 2017
Q5: People reach out on Twitter for Customer Service because they want to talk to a person! Sound human, its that simple! #twittersmarter pic.twitter.com/mePotUulBi
— Rustin Nethercott (@rnetherc) March 2, 2017
Q6: What are Twitter tools that can help you boost visibility and attract new customers? #TwitterSmarter pic.twitter.com/AlMMlNFUO4
— Madalyn Sklar ? (@MadalynSklar) March 2, 2017
A6 There are scheduling tools like @hootsuite @AgoraPulse @buffer -include analytics to help you find out when to tweet #twittersmarter
— Azure Collier ✨ (@azurecollier) March 2, 2017
A6 You can use ads on #Twitter to reach specific audiences and grow your profile, increase sales https://t.co/R8Pa5bZ1sC #twittersmarter
— Azure Collier ✨ (@azurecollier) March 2, 2017
A6 Try Twitter Brand Insights (in analytics) to track keywords & use them in tweets for visibility https://t.co/yHssKqBn6a #twittersmarter
— Azure Collier ✨ (@azurecollier) March 2, 2017
A6: My tools are @hootsuite @buffer @tweet_jukebox and the Twitter iOS app. #TwitterSmarter
— Madalyn Sklar ? (@MadalynSklar) March 2, 2017
A6: The strategic practice of recognizing brand advocates by tagging them in tweets can also help leverage exposure. #TwitterSmarter
— Randy Thio (@ideabloke) March 2, 2017
A6: Gifs and memes! Or graphics in general, people like looking at pictures/videos, it makes the tweet more desirable #twittersmarter pic.twitter.com/nvL5ceGdfz
— Tyler Wade Lucius (@WadeLucius) March 2, 2017
A6. I like the #Twitter Lists. They seem like a simple feature, but the lists are really a great tool when used properly. #twittersmarter pic.twitter.com/7UmKR9gY4F
— ✨Eloquent Content✨ (@eloquentcontent) March 2, 2017
A6: Look up keywords and brand topics to help you identify industry leaders who can help you promote your product/company! #TwitterSmarter pic.twitter.com/F4YC3eCYOn
— Venture Icon Media (@VentureIcon) March 2, 2017
A6: Scheduling tools, twitter chats, and ads – know your audience and choose wisely. #TwitterSmarter
— Lori Friedrich (@lorifriedrich) March 2, 2017
A6: @hootsuite allows you to schedule content in advance… keeps your content organized! @MadalynSklar #TwitterSmarter
— ?JMatt (@JMattMke) March 2, 2017
A6: Not necessarily a 'Twitter' tool but @buzzsumo is great for trending content leading to sharing actionable value #twittersmarter
— Philip Ashburne (@MarketingBrotha) March 2, 2017
A6: @SproutSocial can generate great Twitter reports besides profiles. They have listening and comparison reporting #twittersmarter
— Jeff Higgins (@ItsJeffHiggins) March 2, 2017
A6a Probably the biggest "tool" you need is engaging content that will make them pay attention and want to follow you #twittersmarter
— PolePositionMkg (@PolePositionMkg) March 2, 2017
@MadalynSklar 6: A great DP & a kickass pinned tweets can work wonders for you. Give it a shot! #TwitterSmarter
— Mehul ? (@mehulgohil) March 2, 2017
Q7: How can Twitter help Small Businesses to track conversations relevant to their services? #TwitterSmarter pic.twitter.com/GBkLsCS429
— Madalyn Sklar ? (@MadalynSklar) March 2, 2017
A7 Use them to pull in #Twitter lists and searches to find out who is mentioning you or using keywords about what you do #twittersmarter
— Azure Collier ✨ (@azurecollier) March 2, 2017
A7 Do an advanced search in #Twitter to show you local tweets that use your keywords https://t.co/Uk3aE9xS3j #twittersmarter
— Azure Collier ✨ (@azurecollier) March 2, 2017
A7 And don't just search for your #Twitter handle. Users might tweet your name & not tag you, or use your name as a hashtag #twittersmarter
— Azure Collier ✨ (@azurecollier) March 2, 2017
A7: Hashtags and keywords. Use the Twitter Advanced Search. It's another under-utilized feature: https://t.co/AlblkERngK #TwitterSmarter
— Madalyn Sklar ? (@MadalynSklar) March 2, 2017
@MadalynSklar A7: Twitter is great for social listening. Allows tracking of relevant trends through hashtags. #TwitterSmarter
— Jacob Spikes (@JacobASpikes) March 2, 2017
A7: Saved Twitter searches are a users' best friend! #TwitterSmarter
— Lori Friedrich (@lorifriedrich) March 2, 2017
A7: No budget for a social listening tool? Simple – just search keywords as hashtags! #TwitterSmarter pic.twitter.com/ZAwCvtsTGf
— Katelyn Brower ? (@BrowerKDnB) March 2, 2017
A7: @nuvi is a very powerful tool for monitoring keywords and mentions. #TwitterSmarter
— Mallie Rust (@malliefe2o3) March 2, 2017
A7: Twitter lists and saved searches can help #SmallBusinesses keep track of relevant conversations and topics. #TwitterSmarter https://t.co/zTZ6VSaaNw
— Glynis (@WebDev00) March 2, 2017
A7 – use Advanced Search and Twitter Analytics in concert! #TwitterSmarter
— Sue Duris (@SueDuris) March 2, 2017
A7 use @tweetdeck to see what kind of conversations are occurring on twitter and act accordingly! #TwitterSmarter
— HeyOrca! (@HeyOrca) March 2, 2017
A7: The power of hashtags! I found so many great connections for my business #twittersmarter
— Sabrina Cadini (@SabrinaCadini) March 2, 2017
@MadalynSklar A7: Use tools like hashtags and analytics for better management. #twittersmarter
— Justin Bienvenue ? (@JustinBienvenue) March 2, 2017
Q8 (last question): What type of content on Twitter drives best engagement and conversion? #TwitterSmarter pic.twitter.com/ZktZcZCfUk
— Madalyn Sklar ? (@MadalynSklar) March 2, 2017
A8 Photos and video of course! Photos get 5x more engagement. Videos get 2.8 more RTs https://t.co/b9bkembDxI #twittersmarter
— Azure Collier ✨ (@azurecollier) March 2, 2017
A8 Live video is big right now and you can stream from the #Periscope app in #Twitter https://t.co/xIhHlzycXu #twittersmarter
— Azure Collier ✨ (@azurecollier) March 2, 2017
A8 #Twitter Cards = conversion tool. Attach videos & videos to tweets & drive website traffic https://t.co/E2HeQ9BmQN #twittersmarter
— Azure Collier ✨ (@azurecollier) March 2, 2017
A8: Livestreaming video is HOT ? right now! You get excellent engagement and conversion on all platforms. Try it! ? #TwitterSmarter
— Madalyn Sklar ? (@MadalynSklar) March 2, 2017
A8: VISUAL is king! Videos, Pictures, GIFs… all of it works. Even down to something as simple as emojis. ??? @MadalynSklar #TwitterSmarter pic.twitter.com/4AYnYli0dz
— ?JMatt (@JMattMke) March 2, 2017
A8: Be visual and be sure to have a CTA. Give people guidance to get the results you want! #TwitterSmarter
— Mallie Rust (@malliefe2o3) March 2, 2017
@MadalynSklar A8: Content that adds value. The quicker people can see the value (e.g. visual) the better it performs #Twittersmarter
— Hey Dip Your Toes In (@dipyourtoesin) March 2, 2017
A8 Best content on Twitter has personality, whether that be humor or just your own take on a piece of content or topic #twittersmarter
— PolePositionMkg (@PolePositionMkg) March 2, 2017
A8: Open ended question captions (engagement), appealing graphics from link/infographic, controversial topic/evergreen info #twittersmarter
— Philip Ashburne (@MarketingBrotha) March 2, 2017
A8. I think this varies for each person/brand. Topics that work for me: GIFs, dad jokes, and social marketing content! #TwitterSmarter pic.twitter.com/7ZiINWCUiD
— Nick Martin (@NickAtHootsuite) March 2, 2017
A8: I find that a combination of Message (with stats or question) + Visual Support = the most successful posts. #TwitterSmarter https://t.co/jhnEqFakeh
— Katelyn Brower ? (@BrowerKDnB) March 2, 2017
A8: Video, infographics, and interactive media drives higher engagement and conversion. #TwitterSmarter #SocialMediaTips https://t.co/0xTJBwLftg
— Glynis (@WebDev00) March 2, 2017
This is spot on. People are drawn in by visuals & they stay because the info/content is relevant/adds value in that moment. #twittersmarter https://t.co/qRElbuVdBF
— AR|PR (@AR__PR) March 2, 2017
For more tips, advice and resources to help you master Twitter and grow your business be sure to follow me at @MadalynSklar. I’m also available for one-on-one and group coaching and consulting. Get details here.
Be sure to join us every Thursday on Twitter at 1pm ET at hashtag #TwitterSmarter.