It’s no secret that Twitter has been one of the fastest growing social media tools. While it may seem like something for teens and twenty-somethings to keep in touch, it is also a useful tool for businesses. Big brands have been using

Screenshot: VistaPrint's Twitter Page

Twitter to interact and build stronger connections with their customers (for examples check out Dunkin Donuts, Comcast, Zappos and our page). This usage can also make a positive impact on small businesses.

For starters, Twitter is a free service to use that offers access to thousands of potential customers. By positioning a well-crafted offer (in 140 characters) and honest interaction with customers can boost your online sales.

Conversations with happy customers strengthen their ties to your company and can lead to more referrals.  In a perfect world all customers would be happy, however in the real world there are customers who have not been 100 percent satisfied with your services or products. On a number of occasions, a quick conversation with these customers can hash out any problems and turn them into evangelists who may Tweet about how you helped them out and recommend you in the future.

How do I find out who’s talking about me and my industry?

Much like Google, Twitter offers a search engine that allows you to target certain keywords or your company’s name. Once you find people talking about your area of expertise, respond to their posts and also follow them. From there it is all about building a valuable connection with these people, whether it’s with an offer or advice. Your information or offer may grow virally through their networks.

If you are still on the fence on setting up a Twitter account for your business, check out this helpful video from Jim Kurkal over at Small Business Trends.

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hxR01I8MB6c]

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