How to Twitter for Business Development….. part 2

Hopefully you've done a little 'experimenting' with Twitter over the past week. I promised a round up of the five companies using Twitter and what they've been tweeting about. This is intended to give insight and ideas about how you might use Twitter for your business.

@dot_design The Devon based design agency. Follows 1996 people and has 267 followers.

They trailed their blog in general terms three times asking for RSS subscribers.
Re-tweet a post from someone else. Useful tool to help your contacts get their message out more widely - you 'amplify' their message by repeating it to your audience

This is a little one-sided and self-promotion focused which is reflected in the balance of followers and followed. But they are clearly working hard to use this new channel.

@Redcatco a People and Technology business in London. Follows 234 people and has 277 followers.

They have 2 Twitter profiles, a personal one @bjme as well (can help to separate business from personal viewpoints)
Has been in New York with the Digital Mission run by Chinwag. [this was so interesting I just spent 20 minutes reading about it]
Changed the picture background to the Digital Mission logo. Nice touch.
They are blogging the Digital Mission, not one of the companies on the team - but being there in good company where UK firms show off their wares to the US is mega cool. This is a useful trick that I use occasionally - if you want to get into events that you can't afford to pay for, offer to blog it for the organisations' website. Gets you a free ticket and profile on someone else's website.

A sophisticated and experienced online marketer shown by the intensive use of interlinked channels to show what they are doing and to give good profile to the Digital Mission event they are blogging.

@Rowperfect a sports products retailer. Follows 59 people and has 21 followers.

Trailed a blog post written on their site
Launched some new products. (Presumably in concert with other marketing communications activities.)
Book launch for a new account of the Oxford and Cambridge Boat Race

Just starting out but seems to be getting some traction with people interested in their niche. Not much 'conversation' with other users compared to @redcatco and @xumii. But this can develop with more followers.

@xumii a digital content for the mobile phone company. Follows 116 people and has 56 followers.

Linked to a press write-up about their product
Trailed a new version of the software
Attended a trade show including tweets about where to find us, vote for our product in a competition and named companies they are working with
A thank you note for a commentator "Thank you for your review of Xumii, appreciate you digging in and kicking our tires. More to come. :)". I like this because it implies that the review wasn't wholly complimentary but manages to convey that they are open to constructive criticism by users.

Good spread of activities including direct conversation, promoting new services and opportunities to meet face to face.

@tomscreenwm the publicly funded agency to promote film in the West Midlands. Follows 59 people and has 21 followers.

Trailed new film submissions for a competition
New website design launched
Promoted a film about Northern Soul seeking extras and a set visit.

I liked this because it's a nice balance between showing off their work (website, blog post) and acting as a communication channel for their partners who need extras.

And so there you have it. One week in the life of five businesses using Twitter as part of their marketing communications.

Now, what will you do?

Also posted on creativeagencysecrets.com