Twitter - the world's biggest micro-blogging platform, with over 284 million monthly active users - is increasingly being used by companies to garner customer support, get company news out there and solve issues customers may have.
The social network says, with the right resources, small businesses can be built on the platform. Below is some advice Twitter has for companies looking at developing content for the platform.
1. Find your voice: Do not be afraid to let your personality come through, or that of your employees. Business styles vary, so you need to find a tone that works for your business and your customers.
2. Monitor: Research the conversation happening on Twitter around your company, your products and your competitors.
3. Engage: Use Twitter to convey insights and information about your company that your customers cannot find elsewhere. Ask your followers questions and listen for constructive comments.
4. Respond: Reply when people tweet about you. Favourite and retweet positive messages, and thank those who are supporting you. Do not ignore tweets just because they are critical, but rather address issues if possible and look for valuable feedback to incorporate. Some conversations need to be taken offline.
5. Keep it fresh and timely: The real-time nature of Twitter creates a short shelf-life for content, so tweet often and about relevant topics. Try to engage with trends and hashtags that fit with your company.
6. Offer value in your tweets: Value can mean different things to different people. For some it is knowledgeable information or witty observations, while for others it is competitions and special offers. Find out what your audience likes and tailor your tweets. Not everything has to be about your products or company.
7. Tweet something shareable: People engage more with interesting content. Include a photo, ask a question or share a vine.
8. Amplify your message: Once you have established your presence on Twitter, promoted products can help you grow followers and reach more customers.
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