Comments on: What Businesses are Doing Well on Twitter?

By: Greg McBride

Greg McBride — Tue, 24 Mar 2009 17:17:36 +0000

I follow other advertising and marketing agencies to keep my finger on the pulse of my industry. I also follow several ad/branding industry IDs.

By: tim

tim — Wed, 18 Mar 2009 09:38:41 +0000

I follow topics! Using tweetdeck i’ve got my topics set to search.. and THEN i follow interesting/related people!

If I only followed people… I think i’d get more than i need.

By: Glenn Murray

Glenn Murray — Thu, 12 Mar 2009 22:04:52 +0000

Tom: Interesting… I’d love to hear how that goes, if you’d care to report back here. Thanks mate!

By: Nicole/Madlab Post

Nicole/Madlab Post — Thu, 12 Mar 2009 20:20:53 +0000

I like Nate’s response and it almost sets the tone for comments on this particular Twitip post. Following businesses can be overwhelming since you will more than likely get multiple tweets each day about sales, products and promotions from businesses hawking their wares. However, some businesses are worth following if you are looking for gifts, specialty items, services or information. I follow craft artists who may happen to run a small crafts business. I also may start following certain small movie theaters so that I can help them promote their showtimes.

The number of independent movie theaters in the U.S. are getting smaller and smaller. I just found out that one of my favorite theaters closed in November and felt bad because if I kept visiting the website, I would have already knew and could offer some support instead of finding out 4-5 months later. Movie theaters and film festivals may be the only businesses that I would follow on twitter. I would love to support indie theaters by posting their showtimes on my blog. It is not easy keeping up with 20 plus theaters by visiting their individual websites so twitter can make it much easier to see what movie is playing where and when.

Film Festivals may not be an actual business but they are in the business of selling tickets so that may qualify. Graphic design businesses may also be worth following on twitter. Other than that, I do not think that twitter is the best place for businesses, especially if they are only focused on their bottom line. Following people is much more fun.

By: Michelle D'Attilio

Michelle D'Attilio — Thu, 12 Mar 2009 16:12:12 +0000

Twitter has quickly become an essential tool to my small business. I can’t believe how many new contacts I’ve made in the past three weeks. We are coupling Twitter networking with the Milwaukee small business network to bring people together at a TweetUp and drive individual business success. The thought being that if more people know who you are and what you do you will eventually end up with more clients and more success. FYI – the TweetUp in in Milwaukee on April 7th, check out my website for more information.

By: Jeanette Pham

Jeanette Pham — Thu, 12 Mar 2009 15:41:11 +0000

I think the most successful businesses on Twitter – those people are most likely to follow – engage followers on a more personal level. They have a real person whose personality shines through, and put out an interesting mix of tweets. Over time, you can feel that you’re getting to know that person, and that builds trust in the brand as well. I don’t really want to know what they had for breakfast, but do like to see personal updates sprinkled in with product or service updates – letting everyone know that yes, this is a real individual (not “the corporation”), and that they’re not unlike me — that they have common experiences, thoughts, sense of humor, etc.

I really like businesses that are directly helping their followers and would-be customers with the power of Twitter – polling on favorite flavors, timely specials, sneak peek into new things on their biz horizon, helping other businesses connect with one another.
Some of my favorites @52teas for doing it right, @identify_urself for that good mix I mentioned, and for spearheading local TweetUp efforts for others to benefit, @ironhorsehotel for timely looks into this cool boutique hotel, its specials and for supporting local TweetUps!

By: Tom

Tom — Thu, 12 Mar 2009 15:19:26 +0000

Glenn, you are right that the use of Twitter outlined in my previous comment is not really being discussed anywhere, which was quite frustrating to me as I seek the proper boundaries of how to use Twitter for our firm. I suppose it is a tough thing to rule on definitively because it takes judgement in how it is executed by the marketer and interpreted by the recipient, so lots of gray area.

Just to add some further color to my comment, my plan is to use this approach for 2 weeks to see what kind of attention it garners. Thus far I’ve reached out to perhaps 15 people in this manner without complaint from THEM; however, 2 of our competitors in the industry have taken it as an opportunity to accuse us of being spammers in the Twitter stream.

By: chris cruz

chris cruz — Thu, 12 Mar 2009 13:42:57 +0000

I didn’t get it at first but I love how other peoples Tweets dont end up on your timeline. Unlike Myspace comments where celebrites and businesses comment boxes has become a space to promote a bunch of bs like parties, bands, and websites.

By: Isabelle

Isabelle — Thu, 12 Mar 2009 05:07:54 +0000

As a Brand Builder and Business Performance Coach, I am truly fascinated by Entrepreneurs’ Behavior, Business Growth and Massive Success. I am passionate about people that continually raise the bar and expand their comfort zone to live their life like they really want to…in the NOW!…here are some of those people:

@tferriss / @alexmandossian / @skydiver / @CommonCraft / @BarackObama / @ solutionbox
@sirdickbranson / http://www.marcusbuckingham.com/home.php

By: Glenn Murray

Glenn Murray — Thu, 12 Mar 2009 01:18:13 +0000

Hi Ann! (Didn’t I just see you over at the SEO self regulation community site?) That’s a classic example – the recruitment one. Made me laugh out loud! Thanks.