10 Reasons why your business should be using Twitter

Twitter has redefined the way we communicate with each other and millions around the world are using it to connect with people, share information and form business partnerships.

Twitter offers one of the most uniquely effective ways to build your sphere of influence in your industry niche, to listen to what your customers and competitors are saying in real-time, and ultimately, providing you with an unmetered opportunity to grow your business in a whole new way.

Here are 10 reasons why your business should be using Twitter

Twitter is a virtual water cooler, around which, conversations with customers and clients can happen through tweets. It’s an opportunity to be available to respond, to the immediate needs of your audience and provide memorable customer service.

You don't even have to tweet to help your business. Simply use Twitter's real-time search tool to see what customers are saying about your company. If you encounter negative tweets about your business, contact those unhappy customers to see how you can repair those relationships.

Twitter enables you to talk with people who may not pick up the phone or reply to a letter. When you follow someone, reply to their post and ask questions to them directly, you have a chance to gain a relationship that otherwise may not happen. Twitter can help you connect with industry leaders and put you in touch with up-and-coming stars of the future.

Use Twitter to keep on top of your game. Searching Twitter can be a very powerful tool to study what's going on in your industry, and it helps you get a feel of how your peers in the industry feel about current issues.

Twitter is a humaniser; it provides a face to a faceless organisation. Twitter removes the company ivory tower persona, by tweeting about real issues and responding to real people. Twitter lets people know, the lights are on and there's somebody at home.

Instead of focusing on your customers via Twitter, focus on others in your particular industry. Network with similar business owners and entrepreneurs and grow your business by learning from these individuals.

Twitter can drive traffic to your company website. Consider it a must, to include a link on your profile, to bring your Twitter audience to your company website. Not doing so is a missed opportunity.

Twitter helps others by answering their questions or simply taking part in their discussions. Being an active participant in conversations, makes you seem approachable and friendly. The more you get involved, the more you will be viewed as an expert in your field.

Find out what people are saying about your competitors. If customers are unhappy with a competitor, use this knowledge not to make their mistakes.

Twitter is a research tool. Putting questions to your followers can be useful research and it helps invite conversation with your audience. In a matter of minutes, you may get personal responses on Twitter in a way that more formal surveys could not.