My Story with Twitter thus far (Part 1)
As some may already know, I was once upon a time social media sceptic. While I could see a distant value in using these tools, I remained unconvinced as to how an old fashioned sales gun like me - could generate real B2B sales using social media.
If I was sceptical about social media in general, I was entirely sceptical about Twitter. It appeared to me at first glance to be a lowest common denominator kind of tool.
My initial impressions
Having thousands of followers appeared to be the name of the game. With so many tweets and re-tweets, how could a B2B salesperson like me develop anything that resembled a meaningful business relationship on here? Where is the sophistication I thought? This is a nothing but a school yard tool containing a myriad of little broadcasts and where no one appeared to be listening.
So about two months ago and against my own better judgement - I decided to persevere with Twitter.
I started with Three Objectives
- While having thousands of followers might be nice, I was only interested in people who genuinely wanted to follow me.
- I had to be able to take these on-line relationships to an off-line setting, if I was to realistically create sales opportunities.
- This had to be doable in either faster or easier terms than my traditional business development efforts to make Twitter worth while for my business.
So what I have I learnt?
Is Unique because it’s Pick Up and Go
Twitter is unique; It’s a “pick up and go” tool. It is it’s simplicity of use that makes it so effective. As I said earlier, I initially thought that this was a failing, but now realise that this is what actually makes it so effective . This is also probably one of the main reasons behind its massive popularity.
It Takes Time to Truly Get It.
That’s right, even though it is easy to use, it still takes time to work out how best to use it. While its functionality may be straight forward, the potential of this functionally is not. This is where the learning is, and this is what takes time to master.
So it’s a Broadcast Tool, Right?
Yes it is, but that is less than half the story.
Twitter is a truly amazing broadcast tool. It allows you to instantaneously tweet and get information out there. If others see value in this information, they will re-tweet it, further maximising on your potential audience.
It’s about Followers and Lots of them?
NO ITS NOT!!
The term “followers” is in my opinion an unfortunate Twitter description. It is the interpretation of what is a follower? And why should I follow? That turns people off understanding and using twitter effectively.
I prefer to think of my followers and those that I follow as “friends” or perhaps a more approvite description might be “potential friends”
- Remember, having followers in not worthwhile unless the follower is worthwhile.
- If you are interested in using Twitter as a genuine business development tool – do not treat it as a popularity contest.
- Having lots of followers is a result rather than an objective of using Twitter effectively.
The Most Important Letters are R and T
RT @damienmulley: Advising to follow “influencers” on Twitter is downright ignorant/fatal. Everyone has influence due to 2 letters: R and T
Damien Mulley brilliantly highlights through one of his tweets why re-tweeting is the most important thing that you will do on Twitter.
Think of retweets (RT) as Twitter’s very own currency.
- RTs build your followers, If you re-tweet someone - that person is much more likely to follow you.
- RTs lead to more people RTing you, If you re-tweet someone, they will nearly always RT you back.
- RTs are the first step in building proper relationships on Twitter.
- RTs not followers are the real indication of your influence on Twitter.
In Part 2
In Part 2, I will be discussing why in my opinion, Twitter should be used as both a Sales and a Marketing tool and why if you only see Twitter as a marketing tool - you might very well be missing the Twitter boat.
In the News
Over at Top 10 Sales Articles, Diane Helbig has taken a commanding lead, but it’s still early days - have you voted yet?
Tags: damien mulley, online networking, social media marketing, social media tools, twitter, twitter followers, twitter retweets, using twitter effectively, using twitter for sales
July 6th, 2009 at 2:46 pm
My Story with Twitter thus far (Part 1)…
As some may already know, I was once upon a time social media sceptic. While I could see a distant value in using these tools, I remained unconvinced as to how an old fashioned sales gun like me - could generate real B2B sales using social media.
If I…
July 6th, 2009 at 4:34 pm
That was a great read. I think I’ve has exactly the same experience and realisations over the last few months to be honest. At first Twitter really confused me as I had never used it before working on Loopthing. I was like “what the hell is this all about? Seriously?! ” But then through interaction I grasped it and now it all just seems really easy. Now I can’t get off Twitter! It’s a great news source
Looking forward to part 2.
Ps: Spellcheck - RTs build your followers, If you re-tweet someone - that person is much more lightly to follow you.
lightly should be likely I think?
July 6th, 2009 at 4:41 pm
Thanks Donagh,
I am still very much in learning mode but I think I am getting there. Cheers for the heads up on spelling, never was a strong point of mine
but fixed now.
Warm Regards,
Niall
July 6th, 2009 at 6:09 pm
Great article.
Thanks for sharing.
Isabel Barros
July 6th, 2009 at 6:47 pm
I agree. These are some of the reasons I developed my website http://tweetpromote.com
I even call the people you are following on my site “friends” to differentiate
July 6th, 2009 at 7:40 pm
Hi Isabel, thanks for your comment.
Hi Joe, great minds think alike eh?
Thanks,
Niall
July 6th, 2009 at 8:01 pm
[...] This post was Twitted by dugtrev [...]
July 6th, 2009 at 10:51 pm
No problem Niall.
I linked to this page from the Loopthing blog. Hope you don’t mind? http://blog.loopthing.com/whats-being-said-online-3/
Regards,
Donagh
July 6th, 2009 at 11:18 pm
[...] This post was Twitted by gerloughrey [...]
July 7th, 2009 at 12:36 am
Great post Niall, I’m looking forward to part 2.
I particularly like your discussion of quantity of followers versus quality of friends. I did an experiment, with another ID, it is extraordinarily easy to develop a high number of followers–there are a lot of tricks that facilitate this. However, what is the value of doing this if these people don’t interact, contribute and create value. Twitter is all about building quality relationships, providing great content, and sharing with everyone.
Thanks for a great post. Regards, Dave
July 7th, 2009 at 6:26 am
I’ve been on Twitter for a little over a month now and I must say those words could have come right out of my mouth.
I think patience is the key word. Don’t expect too much in too short a while. It is only now that I’m seeing some closer relationships emerging. And I couldn’t agree more on the quantity vs. quality of followers.
July 7th, 2009 at 6:29 am
Interesting that is just what I am trying to deal with
July 7th, 2009 at 7:45 am
Hi Donagh, thanks so much for the mention and link from your blog.
Dave, as always, thanks for your insight. It is interesting to hear about your experiment and I fully agree with you when you say “what is the value of doing this if these people don’t interact, contribute and create value” You are right, there is absolutely no point. I have learnt a lot about using twitter effectively by just watching you, Dave. That’s @davidabrock for anyone that might be interested.
Hi Kimmo, You are right patience is key. But it is easy to see how people might get frustrated when every other person on there is saying how they got 10000 followers in 10 days etc etc.
Nemopsy, thanks for taking the time to read and leaving a comment.
Thank you all for contributing.
Niall
July 7th, 2009 at 9:47 am
I see that there is some new start up company ’selling’ followers to users. THey come in batches of 1000, 10000, etc. You pay the company and they start DM(ing) people on Twitter on your behalf. The thing that amuses me though it the fact that you are not gauranteed that those people are going to follow your business at all. They might take one look at you and say “why on earth should I follow this guy?”.
The best way on Twitter and every other social network is to keep it real. Be natural, be yourself and be professional all at the same time and your on the road to success!
Regards,
Donagh
July 8th, 2009 at 4:42 am
[...] Devitt and his experiences with Twitter so far, as a business person new to [...]
July 8th, 2009 at 10:18 am
What’s being said online?…
It’s been another turbulent week in the business sector. As the gloomy cloud hanging over the global economy remains there is no shortage of articles appearing on the internet. Here’s a few interesting that have been making the rounds this …
July 8th, 2009 at 3:19 pm
[...] Clients « My Story with Twitter thus far (Part 1) [...]
July 13th, 2009 at 5:37 pm
[...] on from the success of Sales Leadership Ireland and the great response I had to my Twitter posts last week - I decided to start up a new group dedicated to using Twitter for [...]
July 13th, 2009 at 7:02 pm
[...] This post was Twitted by shanegibson [...]
July 13th, 2009 at 7:36 pm
Hey there, this was a great read. I only signed up to twitter tonight as a means to publishing news about my website http://www.MyChildcare.ie ….still learning. My Twitter is http://twitter.com/MychildcareIE
Thanks for the article. Adrian
July 14th, 2009 at 3:59 am
Good luck with twitter Adrian
September 28th, 2009 at 5:15 am
Hey, this is a great post, very well thought out a and well written.
October 23rd, 2009 at 4:38 pm
Great article again Niall, like facebook, or any website building numbers, I would have thought the followers were a very significant part of twitterin’! but I suppose unique users are more important!
May 16th, 2010 at 1:50 pm
Every business should use Twitter.