Small businesses across the United States are using Twitter in a variety of ways to connect with customers and potential buyers. Not only is Twitter a fabulous business tool, but it’s free and easy to use.

Twitter Clients: How Do They Help Your Business?

The two largest age demographics on Twitter are the 45-54 crowd and the 25-34 crowd. Twitter clients in this age group have a larger amount of disposable income, so they make the best customers and they offer the best ideas on how to improve your business and customer service. You can use Twitter as a tool to:

*survey customers on what’s hot in your field or local area
*get opinions on your current promotions
*offer coupon codes to entice customers to buy
*promote your products directly
*spread info about product launches and business services
*give advice about how to use your products.

Best Twitter Business Tools

When you use Twitter for your business, here are a few tips:

*Use a URL-shortening site (such as snurl.com or tinyURL) to reduce your character count.
*Vary your tweets – a good rule of thumb is use 1 tweet out of 10 to pitch your products. The rest should be observing business trends or offering useful information to customers.
*Have more than one employee tweeting, so there’s no lag if someone is sick or goes on vacation.
*Search for local customers by using LocalTweeps.com or simply popping your city/state into the Twitter search box.

Sarah Carmichael

Isn’t that amazing?

You will need to put together a social networking strategy for this, but you will also need to ensure that when you send them to your site that you have very good content there.

The main reason for this is to gain trust!

Why?

If you send someone to a bad site with bad content, no amount of traffic driving is going to grow your business.

There are certain things that you must know before you start on your social networking journey.

1. This is not merely just an ordinary chat with a person whom you don’t know.

2. Since you will be using social networking for business purposes, it is important that you keep your identity intact.

3. You don’t necessarily have to be someone else just to make a good impression on your audience, instead you need to show them who you really are.

4. Don’t put in like a logo of something or a cartoonist image to serve as the picture of you for social sites. The trick is to some that you are a real person and not a faceless corporation.

5. If you are the director or the manager of your business then you should be proud of your success and don’t be ashamed to show your picture.

6. When entering the social world you should know how to promote and market your business. Try to be reachable and bring people closer to your business and have them earn your trust.

The aim here of course is to turn your social media contacts into your friends and then loyal customers.

Basically it just needs a little of your time and determination to keep your future customers wanting what you offer them and coming back for more. It’s not that hard to achieve this for your business.

Blogging, posting and joining forums, is not so different from each other; these tools being used for social networking can bring more traffic into your website and more profit into your business.

You should know how to use them and when to use them. Have these types of tools integrated to your website and bring direct traffic to it, so you will hit your target market easily.

Ciaran Doyle is an Author, Speaker & Internet Marketer who specializes in traffic generation. His career has seen him driving targeted traffic to some of the biggest websites on the internet today. You can pick up his free 18 Part Traffic Masterclass with Mark Anastasi @ http://www.TrafficGenerationExperts.com

Here are 7 essential plugins to skyrocket your SEO Rankings:

1. All in One SEO Pack. As the name suggests, this a common Wordpress plugin that will allow you to optimize your blog for SEO rankings. Features include automatic tagging of keywords in your blog content, automatic optimization of titles, and generation of meta tags. If you’re not sure what all this means, don’t worry because this tool will take care of the entire process.

2. Google XML Sitemaps. A sitemap can be referred to as the skeleton of your website or blog. It is the architecture behind your site and the search engines can’t get enough of it. A sitemap notifies the search engines of every page that exists on your website or blog, making sure no page is missed.

3. Internal Link Building. This plugin provides you with the ability to automatically link keywords in posts to specified URLs improving the internal link structure of your blog.

4. Simple Captcha. If you’ve been operating a blog for a while I’m sure you’ve noticed all the annoying spam comments you get on a daily basis. Simple Captcha prevents unwanted spam finding it’s way onto your blog.

5. Twitter Tools. It’s a fantastic idea to Tweet your blog using Twitter every time you make a new post. This plugin will take all the hassle out of tweeting for you by automatically generating an update in your twitter account every time you make a new post.

6. WP Auto Tagger. This tool automatically generates tags for all the content within your post. No more going through your blog content and adding all the keywords yourself. This plugin takes care of all the tagging on your Wordpress blog without you having to lift a finger.

7. Yet Another Related Posts Plugin. This final Wordpress tool gives you a list of posts related to your current blog entry, introducing the visitor to other relevant content on your site.

Daniel C Smith

Mistake 1: Being overly salesy.

It’s true that there’s a time and place to promote yourself and what you offer on Twitter, as on all social media platforms. The mistake is in overdoing it. If you look at some people’s Twitter streams, it’s all about them, their links, their products. I’ll tell you the truth, no one wants to follow you on Twitter or anywhere else if you’re one big billboard.

What to do instead:

Twitter is called social media for a reason. It’s social! Be a real person, post what you find of value for other people, good links, new ideas, good resources. Of course you can post some promotional tweets too, just keep it around 20-25%. If you wonder if you’re overdoing it, click on your own profile and take a look at your own Twitter stream. Make sure lots of sociable tweets are dominant, with promotional stuff tucked in here and there.

Mistake 2: “If you build it, they will come” — or waiting for people to follow you.

People will follow you as they see you posting good valuable tweets, but if you sit around waiting for a bigger following, you could be waiting longer than you need to.

What to do instead:

Use the search function of Twitter to look for people by keyword, either geographically if that’s important in your business, or by important keywords. This search function is also available in several of the applications that continue to pop up to make Twitter more useable for people, like Tweetdeck.

Mistake 3: Becoming a Twit-addict and spending too much time.

If you haven’t found this out yet, you will soon — it can be addicting to sit and follow the conversations going on all hours of the day and night on Twitter! You can look up and find an hour has passed if you’re not careful — and what have you really accomplished?

What to do instead:

First, use tools like Tweetlater that allow you to schedule your own tweets to appear at different times during the day. This is important because people are on at all different times and you want them to see you participating with value. You’ll catch more people in different time zones by posting at different times of the day. Also you can set a time in your daily or weekly calendar to pre-schedule some tweets, which is one more way that ‘batch processing’ can be a great time management tool for you.

You’ll also want to participate spontaneously and just pop on and enter some conversations that are going on. Schedule 10 minutes one or two times a day to do that, depending on your availability. That way you can take advantage of hot topics and be seen as someone who adds value, but you also manage your time and don’t get into a ‘Twitter trance’ and lose track of time! It’s a tool, make it work for you!

Becki Maxson

Here are The Top 10 Content Management Systems to Help you Maintain your Website with Ease:

1. Joomla: The system includes features such as page caching to improve performance, printable versions of pages, RSS feeds, news flashes, blogs, polls, website searching, and language internationalization.

Joomla! is used to power all different types of Web sites including corporate intranets, online magazines, newspapers and publications, as well as e-commerce, and government applications. Non-commercial usage is also popular. Key features include: completely database driven site engines,News, products, or services sections fully editable and manageable, topics sections can be added to by contributing Authors,fully customizable layouts including left, center, and right Menu boxes, browser upload of images to your own library for use anywhere in the site, and dynamic forum / poll / Voting booth for on-the-spot results.

2. WordPress: Not just used for blogging anymore, WordPress is an Open Source project, which means there are hundreds of people all over the world working on it. It is free to use for anything from your cat’s home page to a Fortune 500 web site without paying anyone a license fee or design price.

3. Drupal Platform: Drupal is a free and open-source platform and content management system written in PHP for building dynamic web sites offering a broad range of features and services including user administration, publishing workflow, discussion capabilities, news aggregation, metadata functionalities using controlled vocabularies and XML publishing for content sharing purposes.

Equipped with a powerful blend of features and configurability, Drupal can support a diverse range of web projects ranging from personal weblogs to large community-driven sites.

This software can be used for community web portals, discussion sites, corporate web sites, personal web sites or blogs, E-commerce applications, resource directories, and social networking websites.

4. CMS Made Simple: CMS Made Simple is an easy-to-use content management system (CMS) for simple, stable content sites. It is used all over the world for simple websites, as well as more complex corporate applications.

It provides a fast and easy way to create a web site and manage its contents. Unlike many other CMS packages, it is not overly complex, and the software is not just for blogs. The software provides the ability to manage news articles, search functionality a contact form, a WYSIWYG editor (for your customers or editors) and numerous other built in functions. Additionally, there are hundreds of third party add-on tools that are quickly and easily installable to allow building websites with many different capabilities.

5. dotCMS- include features you might expect in a complete CMS, including true separation of content and design, ease of editing, page caching, advanced templating, this software also includes many features you might not expect such as a Web2.0 calendar and events management, e-communications tools and more. This is truly CMS at its best.

dotCMS is fully supported and has been deployed by thousands of companies, news organizations, Web 2.0 sites, universities, associations and foundations.

6. miaCMS: Lets you build powerful and standards-compliant Web sites in a matter of minutes. It features simple installation, graphical content editors (with automatic code generation), RSS content syndication, an extension system, flexible site theming capabilities, site searching, user management, and multilingual support.

7. Mambo: This sofware can be used for everything from simple websites to complex corporate applications. It is used to power government portals, corporate intranets and extranets, ecommerce sites, nonprofit, schools, church, and community sites. The great features of this software include: easy to install, hundreds of extensions, plugins and add-on products, simple for non-technical users to create and update content through an intuitive, web browser-based editor, fully localised with language management, and customizable.

8. Textpattern: Designed to help overcome the hurdles in publishing online, and to simplify the production of well-structured, standards-compliant web pages. The features of this CMS is endless, but here a few; Unlimited site sections, integrated link management system with unlimited article, link, file and image categories, browser-based file and image upload & organization, fast intuitive editing of articles, links, comments, page elements Posting, editing & design privileges hierarchy, unlimited site authors, browser-based plugin installation and maintenance, import content from other content management system, and built-in search engine.

9. Pluck: This CMS focuses on user friendliness and enables non-technical people to manage a website. Key features include: create an unlimited amount of pages, Insert images in pages, create your own blog, create an album to show images or photos to your visitors, keep in touch with visitors by including email forms on pages, and the ability to change site information, for better results with search engines

10. Frog CMS: This program is known as CMS Simplified. Some of the great features include: unlimited hierarchically structured page navigation menu, drag and drop page ordering, flexible page content (body, sidebar, extended, summary), per page layout customization, simple and reusable content snippets, password protected administration, Simple user and permission management, and much more.

Tamara S Johnson. And learn more on how you can manage your own website and content by visiting his blog at http://www.thefreelancesquad.com

The five most common new blogger mistakes are…

* Diving in (rather than wading in)
* Having unrealistic expectations
* Losing focus
* Plagiarizing
* Ignoring the reader
* Diving in!

Many bloggers are so anxious to get started that they dive in rather than wading in slowly — its a mistake in an unfamiliar swimming pool or pond and its a mistake when entering a new arena such as the ‘blogosphere.’

Take the time to read dozens of different blogs: note the colors, graphics and layouts to get an idea of what appeals to you. Also note that some bloggers are long-winded and others are brief and to the point . . . others are just chatty and entertaining and have no particular point to make . . . this too is a personal style you get to choose.

You need a host for your blog, some are free, like Blogger.com, some charge a small amount per month for their service, some are simple to use and some require more technical knowledge, some have more features than others. Choose carefully.

Be aware that you can have more than one blog, each one devoted to a particular topic and each one, if you choose, under a different identity.

You may or may not want to use your real name on your blog, this depends on many factors, not the least of which is your stance on controversial issues and how publicly you want to be identified with your opinions.

Personally, I use my real name and photo on all my blogs as you can see. I stand by everything I write and by my guest writers. There is no need to hide behind a false identity.

- Unrealistic expectations!

If you come to blogging expecting instant results: a large readership and many complimentary comments, you may be disappointed. There are tens of thousands of blogs online vying for the same audience. Patience and tenacity are essential on your part. If you write well, find a unique niche to fill, have appealing titles for your posts and tirelessly promote your blog the readership and comments (some of which will be complimentary) will come.

- Losing focus!

When you started your blog you had a particular reason for doing so; it might have been to express your views on a topic or it might have been to just communicate with a close circle of friends about your daily activities. Readers will come to your blog for the first time and either be interested in your subject matter or not, will either like your style or not and, if they like your subject and style they may comment and then come back later.

Find a focus for your blog . . . a focus that reflects what you know, what interests you and what you enjoy talking and writing about. No topics are out of bounds: politics, religion, science, sexual orientations, comedy, exercise, diet, diseases, etc., etc.. Once you’ve established a topic and tone for your blog you’re free to change it but to do so you’re basically starting all over.

- Plagiarizing!

There are some great bloggers out there and as you surf through blogs you might find one who said something really well, something that resonated with you and something you want to put in your blog. Do not copy and paste an article written by someone else into your blog without giving them credit, making it look to the world like the words are yours. You can re-write it in your own words, perhaps write it better, adding your own thoughts and feelings. But, be honest and mention where you got the idea and provide a link to the original source.

For example, many of my blog posts are born from private label articles that I have purchased. I take the original, rewrite it, and post. I am not ashamed to admit this because of the sheer volume of content I must create for my 15 other blogs.

I see my role as an Internet Reporter. I search out valuable information and blog about it.

- Ignoring the reader!

Some of the people who read your blog will leave comments; some readers will agree with you and some readers may even praise your insights but most will pick a point you’ve made and criticize it. People leave comments on others blogs for the same reason they themselves blog, to exchange ideas and express their points of view. Always respond to your readers comments; thank them for reading and taking the time to comment (even the severe critics) and then respond, as appropriate, to their comment. If you ignore your comments your readers may end up ignoring your blog.

Jim DeSantis is a 15 year veteran of Broadcast Journalism. Jim provides accurate information on a wide variety of topics. Go to Jim’s Newsman’s Links for lots of free resources and links to Jim’s blogs

Many companies don’t know how to sell their products on Twitter. Other companies don’t even try since the Twitter experience just doesn’t make sense to them. But, it is not difficult to use Twitter to sell your products and services.

Selling on Twitter is similar to online dating. How does online dating work?

You post your profile and search out the profiles of the men or women you want to date.
You select the people who look or sound attractive, and email a message. But, that message is not “let’s hook up tonight.” It is a friendly message, and an introduction that may get you a response.

The same is true on Twitter. Twitter is a social meeting place. You can’t just set up a profile and start sending tweets (what the messages are called on Twitter) to “hook up and buy my stuff.” Yes, you need to show some restraint.

Here Is My Best Practices For Selling On Twitter

Step 1. Set up a blog

When you are planning to date, at some point your date is going to want to see where you live. It’s your home. It reflects on who you are as a person. You don’t take a date to your office–your cube is not that impressive.

Your blog is your online home. People who are interested in you on Twitter will want to see your blog, and not your company website. A website is a place of business. Twitter is social. A blog is social.

On Twitter, you invite followers into your online home or blog and then if things go well, they can buy from you at your blog or at your website.

Step 2. Show up

You have to show up. Simply, that means you have to make a profile on Twitter. Use your name or part of your name with your company name. The name is important. Don’t use a stupid name that means nothing or is too clever. A personal name is better than a business name. Twitter is social (yeah, I’m repeating myself).

Describe who are you and what do you do. Post a photo of yourself. No stupid photos. No avatars. Be real.

Your Twitter profile needs to link to your blog not your website. See step 1.

Now, check to make sure your profile fits and looks interesting. Sometimes you will find that it is too long or too short or you’ll find a few typos. Fix them.

Remember this about your profile: Your mother may or may not be on Twitter. But, one day, your boss will be on Twitter.

Step 3. Make connections by adding value

One great thing about Twitter is that when you tweet one person, that message is potentially being viewed by all your followers. Everyone on Twitter is a peeping Tom or peeping Mary. In many ways, Twitter is a voyeur’s paradise.

By adding value for one of your followers, you will get credit from everyone as being social and a good citizen on Twitter.

Now, to add value on Twitter you MUST do the following:

a. Post new content on your blog–regularly. Ideally, every day. This is only a hardship if you are not passionate and committed in your area of expertise.

b. Tweet about your new blog post and link it to your post. This lets your followers know you are going to add value.

c. Tweet people to help them in your area of “blog” expertise. This lets your followers know that you can help them.

d. Tweet people to help them in other areas that interest you. This lets people know you can be trusted. Everyone on Twitter knows that many people are trying to sell something on Twitter, and that is not an issue. It is an issue only if you are using Twitter just to sell. An analogy: Making friends only with people who can help you get what you want in life.

e. Tweet people just to be social, friendly and just be you. Twitter is a friendly, social meeting place.

Overall, follow a through e, and you are inviting people to come to your blog. The more you participate, the more people will be following you and the more people will be checking out your blog. Add Google analytics to your blog and you can see how many visitors you are getting daily by using Twitter.

Step 4: Build trust. Build the relationship.

You’ve made a connection. You’ve added value. People are visiting your blog. Now that they are in your home, where are you going to take this person?

When you tweet about a new blog entry, it is like a fortuitous meeting of a new neighbor. There’s not a lot of time for conversation. So you invite them to come by for coffee or tea. And when they come by, you take them into your kitchen. It’s a friendly, informal place. You don’t take them into your living room.

When you tweet about a new blog post, or tweet to help someone about an issue, you link them to a specific blog post URL. Do not link into your general blog URL. That blog post is tailored to add value for your followers and/or to help one follower. A specific blog post URL is friendly.

Now, if that person likes what that post says, and trusts you, you have created a relationship using Twitter. This person is now ready to see the rest of your online home and read your other blog posts.

Having a connection turn into a relationship can happen the first time that person views your post, or it may happen after a few more visits.

Fortunately, unlike dating, you CAN rush a Twitter relationship. Keep participating, keep tweeting and keep adding value. Maybe even consider a special promotion for your Twitter followers.

Step 5. Twitter. Where the sale happens. (apologies to the NBA)

Your blog should be set up so every time someone visits, they know where to go for more information or to buy. Sales happen at different times, but they do happen. A sale can take place on your blog or on your website. Just make sure that if you need to take visitors to your website for more info or to sell, to have that link visible and easy to find on your blog.

Summary

Twitter is a great meeting place where you can sell your products and services. To make a sale:

Step 1. Set up a blog
Step 2. Show up
Step 3. Make connections by adding value
Step 4: Build trust. Build the relationship.
Step 5. Twitter. Where the sale happens

Learn the best practices for using Twitter to sell.
The above information is a great start. There is much more to know.

To find out the best practices for using Twitter to sell, contact Mitchell Cogert at mcogert@gmail.com

Mitchell Cogert is a marketing strategist to companies of all sizes from Fortune 500 companies P&G and HP, as well as many start-ups. He is currently helping companies to get a better return on their marketing dollars by using social media.

Mitchell Cogert Mitchell is the president of the Social Media Network of Infuencers, that allows companies to influence the influencers in social media. In addition, he consults with companies on how to use Twitter to sell their products and services.

Website: http://www.NetworkOfInfluencers.com
Blog: http://AWebExpert.blogspot.com
Twitter: Mitchell1969
Email: mcogert@gmail.com