Comments on Small Biz Survival: Is Twitter worth it for small town businesses

Chris, thank you for adding those points. I especi...

2010-10-26T16:57:31.679-05:00

Chris, thank you for adding those points. I especially like giving a sense of the day to day in your business.

Nathan, glad to know this post is still relevant.

Shauna, those are some good simple ways to think about the other side of twitter, the marketing side.

I believe twitter is even MORE effective for small...

2010-10-26T00:20:10.161-05:00

I believe twitter is even MORE effective for small town businesses, but only if they see the service for exactly what it is: A simple way to instantly draw customers into town to shop local and connect your community.

That bakery owner may have handed out fliers that state "Text 'follow @mybreadcompany' to 40404 for daily specials" with all their sales in the last month. Now they have a list of subscribers who have already tried their product, and know what you're offering even if they're a few miles out of town. The Chamber of Commerce can announce town-sponsored events. The local school can broadcast game scores.

Also, don't be discouraged by small follower counts... word of mouth spreads like wildfire, and you are holding the match every time you reach out and connect.

Great stuff, as usual Becky! I just answered a pho...

2010-10-25T18:38:44.268-05:00

Great stuff, as usual Becky! I just answered a phone call today from a small, niche business and struggled to answer a few of his questions about Twitter. This post already gave me two solid bullet points to include in a follow-up message.

Really good webinar yesterday by the Kbuzz on Twit...

2009-07-16T14:25:30.535-05:00

Really good webinar yesterday by the Kbuzz on Twitter for small biz (http://blog.thekbuzz.com/). They will have a recording of it up soon.

One big point I thought of value here, is to provide exclusive offers via twitter. Give people a reason to want to follow you and use it. And, that makes it fun.

A restaurant could use it to announce the speiclas of the day, or a hotel, discounted mid-week rates, etc. All kind of fun, as well.

Also, the kind of tweeting where you're just telling about your life, what's going on, etc. Can be applied to a small biz, because you can convey a sense of the daily activities that enhances that sense of who you are in that biz, and people can feel more related to you / the biz. Good example: http://twitter.com/Amity_Cafe

Lorna, putting a face to your business makes such ...

2009-07-04T15:33:30.732-05:00

Lorna, putting a face to your business makes such a difference, but is hard to measure. Thanks for sharing!

I've an online shop in an extremely rural part...

2009-07-04T15:23:24.918-05:00

I've an online shop in an extremely rural part of Ireland. I've been blogging for 18 months and tweeting for 4 months. I'd estimate blogging as contributing about 30-40% to my business. Harder to say with Twitter, it has doubled the visits to my website within the 4 months but I can't say if it has led to sales or not. Having said that, I love it!! I love the way it gives a 'face' behind the business too.
My Twitter account is http://twitter.com/GarrendennyLane

Lorna

Scott, thanks for sharing your local success story...

2009-07-02T10:28:33.052-05:00

Scott, thanks for sharing your local success story. You point out how Twitter is one tool to use along with many others to build that network. Thanks!

One thing that has happened here in Sioux Falls, S...

2009-07-01T23:42:52.268-05:00

One thing that has happened here in Sioux Falls, SD, is that a number of individuals and businesses that have an online presence (mostly twitter, facebook and blogs) have really made a point of connecting to each other. We have found this to be a fantastic support network. But it is also used for info sharing and growing each others businesses by strong online community building. A lot of that leads to word of mouth promotion too.

All in all, it is turning out to be a win/win for everyone involved.

One suggestion....If you are a small business and you can find other tweeters near you ( use http://brightkite.com/ to find them ), try hosting a tweet-up. Basically invite tweeters to an actual meet up, possibly at your business. 3 weeks before the event, send out a press release announcing the event. With a little luck, someone from the local newspaper will show up.

This will inform other nearby twitter users that your business has a presence online. It may also be the thing that tips other people to start using twitter. Because they have heard a lot about it, but when they see it in a practical, local way, they might jump aboard.

All of this helps businesses connect with businesses, connect with the community, connect with potential customers. It also promotes the whole community. Which is good for all business.

Michael, those are powerful stories. Who else ha...

2009-07-01T15:47:59.944-05:00

Michael, those are powerful stories.

Who else has some examples to share?

One of the best small business uses of Twitter I s...

2009-07-01T14:14:06.679-05:00

One of the best small business uses of Twitter I saw, was a restaurant that posted lunch discount codes to followers.

Another use was explained by Wine Library owner Gary Vaynerchuk (@garyvee). Last December, he spent thousands on print and billboard advertising and could account for around 200 unites sold. He tweeted a 24 hour free shipping code and moved close to 2000 bottles.

Marianna, thank you for adding your experience. Tw...

2009-07-01T12:16:42.703-05:00

Marianna, thank you for adding your experience. Twitter's connections can be powerful. I've found more of my local folks by searching at Twellow.com and by checking my email address book at Twitter. This is an option when you first sign up, but it makes sense to go back and check again, especially as there has been an influx of new users.

Excellent question - and comments. While Twitter i...

2009-07-01T12:06:47.929-05:00

Excellent question - and comments. While Twitter is still an "emerging" technology in rural America, we, as Community & Small Business marketing coaches, have seen local businesses reach well beyond the borders of their local community to find those that need what they are selling (e-commerce opportunities emerge) or to find those that often or occasionally "pass through" the community who now stop and leave money behind as a result of a Twitter connection. These two opportunities alone make Twitter worthwhile. Use of Twitter's advanced search feature is the most helpful tool in accomplishing these goals.

I think in these struggling economic times, small businesses can find new customers and retain existing customers as never before with tools like Twitter. And as you said so aptly, the power of the 15 GREAT followers cannot be underestimated - as these are often the community connectors/hub that influence many others locally. - @resultsrev

Thanks for sharing your thoughts, TC. It's not...

2009-06-30T14:57:48.767-05:00

Thanks for sharing your thoughts, TC. It's not all about engaging customers, though. It's also about gaining from the interaction and learning possibilities, watching trends, and connecting with really smart people. And you're right, it's not for everyone.

In truth, most of my small business clients won...

2009-06-30T14:42:24.956-05:00

In truth, most of my small business clients won't see much ROI from a twitter presence - especially given the lack of twitter use in many remote areas.

I counsel most of my small business clients to leverage whatever content they're producing across as many media channels as possible (e.g. blog, twitter, facebook, email, etc).

In other words, if their tweets can also help fuel a blog or email program, then perhaps the ROI does exist.

Some take it to readily; the format is a good fit.

Others think it's stupid and because they're running a business and not sitting in front of a screen generating "content" all day, it's a bad choice.

Applying blanket statements about new social media channels across widely disparate business situations is a dangerous idea.

Most small businesses don't do the basics all that well, and while Twitter may offer some the chance to engage with customers in a way that fits their market or capabilities, others will do much better sticking with proven, high-ROI channels (like blog/email programs).

Rich, your service shows good promise for certain ...

2009-06-30T14:22:50.396-05:00

Rich, your service shows good promise for certain types of businesses. However, small business people must participate personally to gain the benefit of learning from others online or connecting with their existing fans.

Instead of doing all of the work to maintain a Twi...

2009-06-30T14:00:19.940-05:00

Instead of doing all of the work to maintain a Twitter account a small business can always just use the @DealsInNetwork. All you have to do is email them the deal you are offering and which town, city or neighborhood you want to to see it broadcast in. If you do not see your location as being a part of the network you can email them your town and they will add it to the network. Right now the network is comprised of over 300 cities, towns and neighborhoods. Send emails to; MyDeal@DealsInNetwork.com or for mor info direct message @RichGonzalez on Twitter.

Amaaanda, I think lots of us are too into Twitter,...

2009-06-30T13:57:25.792-05:00

Amaaanda, I think lots of us are too into Twitter, but in a good way. It's helping us build our businesses and our knowledge.

How can it not be? Twitter is free, and us Twitter...

2009-06-30T11:06:38.261-05:00

How can it not be? Twitter is free, and us Twitter folk get really excited about businesses at have @'s.

I've actually eaten at @FatCatQuincy more often just cause I can use their @ in a tweet. Sad, but true.

Whether the account is very active or not, just having an account makes the difference to me.

This is how I'd like to contruct every tweet in the future:

I'm @StopandShop getting #groceries with @awesomeperson.

I'm too into this Twitter thing, aren't I? ;)

Cynthia, thank you for sharing exactly how you'...

2009-06-30T10:08:41.638-05:00

Cynthia, thank you for sharing exactly how you've benefited. It's a great story! (They are @thesilverbarn on Twitter, if you'd like to follow them, too.)

We have used Twitter for about 4 months and found ...

2009-06-30T09:49:04.797-05:00

We have used Twitter for about 4 months and found great opportunities to promote our store to countless potential shoppers. In fact, we have made sales off our blog just thanks to Twitter. We have found new vendors, been found by the media for TV and trade publication interviews - which reaches the national media in many instances, and made great business connections offering great advice as we grow our business. Then you add in the new "friends" and the fact we even won a computer thanks to a Twitter survey, that is a pretty good investment of our time. And, it will only grow as our website launches anew.

Cynthia
Silver Barn

Sarah, I agree. And even if you think Twitter itse...

2009-06-30T08:20:30.981-05:00

Sarah, I agree. And even if you think Twitter itself is a passing fad, it's better to get involved and start building that network, because you get to take it with you to "the next big thing."

Alex, thanks for the links. Those are excellent, relevant articles. I've now followed @handmadeinpa, and I look forward to hearing more from both you and Tara.

My friend writes a popular craft-related blog, and...

2009-06-30T07:38:44.356-05:00

My friend writes a popular craft-related blog, and teaches seminars on social networking for small businesses. You can follow her at @handmadeinpa, but I thought I would also recommend a great article she just wrote earlier this week about how to use twitter and other social media to accomplish your unique goals: http://www.handmadeinpa.net/2009/06/make-new-friends/. I also noticed she has written a follow-up post on the topic today about how to be yourself (and why that is so important) as you twitter/fb/blog, etc: http://www.handmadeinpa.net/2009/06/seth-sara-want-you-to-find-your-voice/. Hope these articles are helpful--and definitely follow Tara on twitter--she sends out great links and will pass yours along to a wide audience as well!

I think Twitter will only get bigger over the comi...

2009-06-30T04:28:07.027-05:00

I think Twitter will only get bigger over the coming years, so now is a great time for SMBs to hop on board; even just to 'get their feet wet' and start building a small following. All SMBs need to keep in mind that relevancy is key, and not quantity, so should definitely take note Aliza Sherman tweet, quoted above.

@Delsx commented on Twitter: "I think Twitte...

2009-06-29T16:15:28.664-05:00

@Delsx commented on Twitter:
"I think Twitter is a great tool for any size business. Even just to follow local trends."