News & Events

Top Tip from award winning Twitter expert Mark Shaw

21/04/2010

Twitter is a growing phenomenon with literally millions of people around the world joining every month.

It is estimated that there are now up to 50 million tweets per day – a staggering 600 tweets per second! But does Twitter have any uses for business, or is it just a social thing?

According to Mark Shaw, one of the UK's leading experts on Twitter, every business should explore the benefits of Twitter if they want to remain competitive and stay ahead of the game. At the recent Innovation & e-Business Roadshow for Wales 2010, Mark shared his top tips for success.
“When I joined Twitter in April 2008, like so many I really did not understand what it was all about. As the months went by I began to read, listen and watch and take the time to learn about Twitter. I discovered that yes, it is a great way to inform people what you are doing and for keeping in touch with your nearest and dearest – after all Twitter is a social network. But I also discovered that Twitter can be brilliant for business.

I discovered that in a message of no more than 140 characters, instead of telling people what you are doing, you can share useful information. You can start to direct people to useful resources. You start to engage with those who you are following and who are following you, asking questions and delivering answers in your chosen area of expertise. You start to actively search out those that are having conversations about a topic that you have an interest in, and have a great level of knowledge and experience in.
What starts to happen is that you become more visible. You demonstrate your knowledge and expertise, build your credibility and become the go-to person on that topic.

Twitter offers a new and different way to communicate. It is not about broadcasting, but more about listening, adding value and engaging with others. It can help you get feedback from customers and potential customers. It can help you tap into what is being talked about in your subject area. It can help you find others to collaborate with or assist in locating new suppliers.

Go on, try Twitter yourself. It may take a little time and effort, but it’s worth it as Twitter can be brilliant for business.”

Follow BIC Innovation on Twitter at www.twitter.com/bicinnovation