Today, I’m answering a common question about Twitter. Christine Dyer, founder of Bridal Tweet, the destination for wedding professionals and brides, has a terrific blog post on three ways to use Twitter. (You are a member of Bridal Tweet, right???) Of course, that made me wonder why more wedding folk weren’t making use of Twitter to build their businesses. If that’s you, read on.
What is Twitter? That’s the $64K dollar question. What’s more interesting to me is how to use Twitter and why. I’m thrilled to be a Twitizen. Twitter has given my coaching/training company, Positively Wed, a big leg up! Don’t be fooled. Seemingly a time-wasting distraction, Twitter can have real impact on your wedding business.
Think of Twitter as a cocktail party; Facebook as a dinner party and LinkedIn as a business meeting. I talk directly with wedding pros like yourself via Twitter to discover your obstacles, frustrations and joys and wishes. That’s invaluable in a largely soloist industry like ours. Unless you’re at a conference or absolutely love phone calling, you won’t find a easier way to reach out to your market en mass.
Twitter also helps me develop business relationships. I get direct access to important industry leaders and influential wedding bloggers. Reading their tweets I learn about trends, meetings and opportunities. And, frankly, it’s fun.
I was chatting with @SeanLow the other day, and recently learned that @ItsaJaimeThing and I share a love of vampire tales. Does that mean they’ll take my calls or emails now. Maybe. Jaime did. What’s most important to me is that people are getting to know me, my wacky side as well as my crisp professional side. And, you know the old adage: people do business with people they like.
Ok, I hear you say, Great but I’m too busy. Two thoughts come to mind. First, the very best way to be successful is to find someone doing what you want to do (or related) and follow their lead. Someone else has already forged a path for whatever road you want to take. Make good use of it. Twitter makes that possible because it allows me to be a fly on the virtual wall as my mentors carry out their business. How useful is that?
Second, are you sure that its not an excuse because you’re afraid of doing the wrong thing? Yes, it’s overwhelming at first. It took me weeks of just reading tweets to make any sense of it. I’m still learning. Why not sign up for an account and give it a try? It’s kinda like wearing the latest fashion trend. Try it on. You might be surprised how much you like it.
One last thought…your task as an owner is to work ON your business, not in it, according to Michael Gerber, founder of the E-Myth.com It’s a hard fact of business that if you’re too busy serving clients to manage your business and its growth, soon you won’t have a business. Just a collection of clients. Real businesses have systems for marketing, growth and planning. Imaginary business do not. Which do you want yours to be?
Hoorah, if I’ve managed to change your mind about Twitter. Here are a few excellent resources to get you started in the twitterverse:
- Twitip – written by Darren Rowse( @Problogger), a blogging expert
- Ten Twitter Tools to Organize Your Tweeps- by @Mashable
Definitely say hi the next time you’re online. I’m @dramafreeliving
