Adam Barone is a freelance copywriter from the Boston area. Visit him at http://www.adambarone.com. (c)Adam Barone 2006. All rights reserved. Reprint rights granted as long as the article is published in its entirety, including links.
Website Copywriting: A Recipe For Hard-Hitting Words In Lean Portions
November 21, 2009 by IBI · Leave a Comment
In 10 short years, websites have evolved from business novelty to necessity, perhaps now the most important part of a business’ marketing and branding arsenal. For very small shops to the largest publicly-traded corporations, websites have become both the most preferred and the most interactive way for companies to communicate with their customers and prospective customers. And though many of the same fundamentals of good offline copywriting apply to the online world, there are distinct differences in both content presentation and strategy that are important for anyone involved in website copywriting-whether it be a writer, designer, creative director or client-to be aware of.
1. Website copywriting needs to be shorter
It’s been scientifically proven that readers’ eyes tire quicker reading a computer screen than they do a printed page. But more important than that, website copywriting needs to be short because of the nature of the medium. Computers are all about speed in information gathering, dissemination and understanding. And the amount of verbal content a company presents on its website must take that fact into account. If the concept can be explained in one sentence instead of three, use one. If a simpler word can be used in lieu of a longer, more complex word, go with the simpler. Concentrate on quality without the quantity. It can be done and done very well.
2. Good website copywriting starts with a home page that incites curiosity
On a home page, many organizations wax about how long their company has been in business, how many employees they have and other assorted topics, which do nothing to whet the reader’s appetite. Instead, use the homepage to introduce your company as a solution to a problem your market has. That way, you’re presenting your readers with a valuable reason to continue reading.
3. Customer testimonials are an integral part of great website copy
Often, the best website copywriting doesn’t come from you or your copywriter. It comes from your customers’ personal experiences. Assuming your company has satisfied customers, what they say about you can be much more credible than anything you say about yourself, and they can reinforce the credibility of the claims you do make about yourself.
4. Add a personal touch to complement the facts
A website is nothing more than a computerized, interactive introduction (e-commerce not withstanding) to who you are as a company and what you do. And just like a personal introduction, what often follows the “facts” are topics of a more personal nature. Good website copywriting always includes this type of content in a secondary location of the site-a place not hard to find, but not up front and center either. Why is this important? Because people want to get to know the companies they’re going to work with or do business with. They’re interested in the personalities that run your organization and the culture and philosophy behind it.
It’s not just for kids and geeks – Twitter is good for Business too!
November 16, 2009 by IBI · Leave a Comment
5 types of business that should be using Twitter
They’re all talking about it – the online phenomenon for 2009. Forget Google, forget Facebook and don’t even mention Yell.com – Twitter is where it’s at this year!
Founded in 2006 as a way to let fellow members know “what you are doing”, Twitter has expanded way beyond its founders wildest dreams.
2009 is the year Twitter has become more “mainstream”. This has been helped by celebrities such as Stephen Fry, Ashton Kutcher and Jonathan Ross espousing its virtues but also by the number of businesses out there realising the marketing and promotional capabilities of Twitter.
However it’s usually when I talk to potential clients about using Twitter as part of their social media marketing, I hear:
“It’s just for kids and geeks”
“Only IT and Marketing bods make money from it”
and other such comments.
With this in mind, here are a random 5 industries, each with 5 ways they could use Twitter to promote their business:
1) HOTELS
Twitter is fast paced, instant communication, ideal for the hotel & hospitality industry.
Hotels could:
- Communicate last minute offers – Use Twitpic to show pictures of rooms – Post customer testimonials – Request feedback from guests
DM Bonus – If your guests have Twitter, why not DM them a special Twitter code if they eat dinner in the hotel?
2) PHOTOGRAPHERS
While Twitter is seen mainly as a textual medium, it can be visual too.
Photographers, why not:
- Use Twitpic to post a “picture of the day” – Tweet about the photo shoot you’re doing today, so people get a feel for your scope – Post links to your blog/website – Use TwTQpon to offer free studio time (specify purchase of X photos) – Ask satisfied customers to retweet the link to their pic(s) in your portfolio
DM Bonus – If your customers are on Twitter, DM them the link to thier pictures on your password protected server, or private group on Flickr/Facebook etc.
3)ASTROLOGIST
It’s not always easy to get people to sign up to a mailing list on a website if you’re in a very niche industry, but it’s a lot easier to get followers on Twitter.
- Use Hootsuite to run 12 daily horoscope accounts – one for each star sign – Post details of astrologically important days/dates/events – Offer a free reading for every 50th follower – ask people to retweet – Post testimonials from satisfied clients – Post celebrity horoscopes on a weekly basis
DM Bonus – Offer free 140 character descriptions of each star sign – have them ready to cut and paste. Offer them by DM only. (People have to follow you to get DM’s)
4) HOLIDAY RESORT/GUESTHOUSE
If SEO is too competitive and too costly, try Twitter – the only cost is your time, and even that can be minimal!
- Use 12 second TV to post short video testimonials filmed on an iPhone or similar – Use Twitpic to post pictures of your resort – Post about local traditions/holidays/etc – Tweet last minute special offers/prices – Use TwtQpon to offer money off local/on site restaurants/bars
DM Bonus – Guests on Twitter? DM them to let them know they can check in.
5) SPEAKERS
It might be written communication, but I know a few speakers doing very well from Twitter, so if you’re a speaker, why not:
- Post links to audio files of you speaking – Autofeed your calender/blog into your Twitter account so people know where you’re speaking – Post a “tip of the day” each day, related to your speciality – Use 12 second TV to post short clips of you speaking then link to the longer version on youtube/your website – Use Twitter search to find people talking about your speciality/niche – ask them if they can introduce you to people wanting speakers
DM Bonus – Offer a free ebook / whitepaper / mention on your website by DM only. The only way to get it is to follow you so you can DM them.
So there you have it – 5 types of business that should be using Twitter, and 5 things they can use it for.
Nikki Pilkington is author of TweetMentor from NikkiPilkington.com, a 100 day hand holding support system to help you through the Twitter maze.
Internet marketing expert Nikki Pilkington is owner of NikkiPilkington.com, an internet marketing and search engine optimisation company based in the UK, offering higher google listings, SEO, website traffic generation, Adwords management, email marketing and more.
It’s not just for kids and geeks – Twitter is good for Business too!
November 14, 2009 by IBI · Leave a Comment
5 types of business that should be using Twitter
They’re all talking about it – the online phenomenon for 2009. Forget Google, forget Facebook and don’t even mention Yell.com – Twitter is where it’s at this year!
Founded in 2006 as a way to let fellow members know “what you are doing”, Twitter has expanded way beyond its founders wildest dreams.
2009 is the year Twitter has become more “mainstream”. This has been helped by celebrities such as Stephen Fry, Ashton Kutcher and Jonathan Ross espousing its virtues but also by the number of businesses out there realising the marketing and promotional capabilities of Twitter.
However it’s usually when I talk to potential clients about using Twitter as part of their social media marketing, I hear:
“It’s just for kids and geeks”
“Only IT and Marketing bods make money from it”
and other such comments.
With this in mind, here are a random 5 industries, each with 5 ways they could use Twitter to promote their business:
1) HOTELS
Twitter is fast paced, instant communication, ideal for the hotel & hospitality industry.
Hotels could:
- Communicate last minute offers – Use Twitpic to show pictures of rooms – Post customer testimonials – Request feedback from guests
DM Bonus – If your guests have Twitter, why not DM them a special Twitter code if they eat dinner in the hotel?
2) PHOTOGRAPHERS
While Twitter is seen mainly as a textual medium, it can be visual too.
Photographers, why not:
- Use Twitpic to post a “picture of the day” – Tweet about the photo shoot you’re doing today, so people get a feel for your scope – Post links to your blog/website – Use TwTQpon to offer free studio time (specify purchase of X photos) – Ask satisfied customers to retweet the link to their pic(s) in your portfolio
DM Bonus – If your customers are on Twitter, DM them the link to thier pictures on your password protected server, or private group on Flickr/Facebook etc.
3)ASTROLOGIST
It’s not always easy to get people to sign up to a mailing list on a website if you’re in a very niche industry, but it’s a lot easier to get followers on Twitter.
- Use Hootsuite to run 12 daily horoscope accounts – one for each star sign – Post details of astrologically important days/dates/events – Offer a free reading for every 50th follower – ask people to retweet – Post testimonials from satisfied clients – Post celebrity horoscopes on a weekly basis
DM Bonus – Offer free 140 character descriptions of each star sign – have them ready to cut and paste. Offer them by DM only. (People have to follow you to get DM’s)
4) HOLIDAY RESORT/GUESTHOUSE
If SEO is too competitive and too costly, try Twitter – the only cost is your time, and even that can be minimal!
- Use 12 second TV to post short video testimonials filmed on an iPhone or similar – Use Twitpic to post pictures of your resort – Post about local traditions/holidays/etc – Tweet last minute special offers/prices – Use TwtQpon to offer money off local/on site restaurants/bars
DM Bonus – Guests on Twitter? DM them to let them know they can check in.
5) SPEAKERS
It might be written communication, but I know a few speakers doing very well from Twitter, so if you’re a speaker, why not:
- Post links to audio files of you speaking – Autofeed your calender/blog into your Twitter account so people know where you’re speaking – Post a “tip of the day” each day, related to your speciality – Use 12 second TV to post short clips of you speaking then link to the longer version on youtube/your website – Use Twitter search to find people talking about your speciality/niche – ask them if they can introduce you to people wanting speakers
DM Bonus – Offer a free ebook / whitepaper / mention on your website by DM only. The only way to get it is to follow you so you can DM them.
So there you have it – 5 types of business that should be using Twitter, and 5 things they can use it for.
Nikki Pilkington is author of TweetMentor from NikkiPilkington.com, a 100 day hand holding support system to help you through the Twitter maze.
Internet marketing expert Nikki Pilkington is owner of NikkiPilkington.com, an internet marketing and search engine optimisation company based in the UK, offering higher google listings, SEO, website traffic generation, Adwords management, email marketing and more.
It’s not just for kids and geeks – Twitter is good for Business too!
November 7, 2009 by IBI · Leave a Comment
5 types of business that should be using Twitter
They’re all talking about it – the online phenomenon for 2009. Forget Google, forget Facebook and don’t even mention Yell.com – Twitter is where it’s at this year!
Founded in 2006 as a way to let fellow members know “what you are doing”, Twitter has expanded way beyond its founders wildest dreams.
2009 is the year Twitter has become more “mainstream”. This has been helped by celebrities such as Stephen Fry, Ashton Kutcher and Jonathan Ross espousing its virtues but also by the number of businesses out there realising the marketing and promotional capabilities of Twitter.
However it’s usually when I talk to potential clients about using Twitter as part of their social media marketing, I hear:
“It’s just for kids and geeks”
“Only IT and Marketing bods make money from it”
and other such comments.
With this in mind, here are a random 5 industries, each with 5 ways they could use Twitter to promote their business:
1) HOTELS
Twitter is fast paced, instant communication, ideal for the hotel & hospitality industry.
Hotels could:
- Communicate last minute offers – Use Twitpic to show pictures of rooms – Post customer testimonials – Request feedback from guests
DM Bonus – If your guests have Twitter, why not DM them a special Twitter code if they eat dinner in the hotel?
2) PHOTOGRAPHERS
While Twitter is seen mainly as a textual medium, it can be visual too.
Photographers, why not:
- Use Twitpic to post a “picture of the day” – Tweet about the photo shoot you’re doing today, so people get a feel for your scope – Post links to your blog/website – Use TwTQpon to offer free studio time (specify purchase of X photos) – Ask satisfied customers to retweet the link to their pic(s) in your portfolio
DM Bonus – If your customers are on Twitter, DM them the link to thier pictures on your password protected server, or private group on Flickr/Facebook etc.
3)ASTROLOGIST
It’s not always easy to get people to sign up to a mailing list on a website if you’re in a very niche industry, but it’s a lot easier to get followers on Twitter.
- Use Hootsuite to run 12 daily horoscope accounts – one for each star sign – Post details of astrologically important days/dates/events – Offer a free reading for every 50th follower – ask people to retweet – Post testimonials from satisfied clients – Post celebrity horoscopes on a weekly basis
DM Bonus – Offer free 140 character descriptions of each star sign – have them ready to cut and paste. Offer them by DM only. (People have to follow you to get DM’s)
4) HOLIDAY RESORT/GUESTHOUSE
If SEO is too competitive and too costly, try Twitter – the only cost is your time, and even that can be minimal!
- Use 12 second TV to post short video testimonials filmed on an iPhone or similar – Use Twitpic to post pictures of your resort – Post about local traditions/holidays/etc – Tweet last minute special offers/prices – Use TwtQpon to offer money off local/on site restaurants/bars
DM Bonus – Guests on Twitter? DM them to let them know they can check in.
5) SPEAKERS
It might be written communication, but I know a few speakers doing very well from Twitter, so if you’re a speaker, why not:
- Post links to audio files of you speaking – Autofeed your calender/blog into your Twitter account so people know where you’re speaking – Post a “tip of the day” each day, related to your speciality – Use 12 second TV to post short clips of you speaking then link to the longer version on youtube/your website – Use Twitter search to find people talking about your speciality/niche – ask them if they can introduce you to people wanting speakers
DM Bonus – Offer a free ebook / whitepaper / mention on your website by DM only. The only way to get it is to follow you so you can DM them.
So there you have it – 5 types of business that should be using Twitter, and 5 things they can use it for.
Nikki Pilkington is author of TweetMentor from NikkiPilkington.com, a 100 day hand holding support system to help you through the Twitter maze.
Internet marketing expert Nikki Pilkington is owner of NikkiPilkington.com, an internet marketing and search engine optimisation company based in the UK, offering higher google listings, SEO, website traffic generation, Adwords management, email marketing and more.
It’s not just for kids and geeks – Twitter is good for Business too!
November 4, 2009 by IBI · Leave a Comment
5 types of business that should be using Twitter
They’re all talking about it – the online phenomenon for 2009. Forget Google, forget Facebook and don’t even mention Yell.com – Twitter is where it’s at this year!
Founded in 2006 as a way to let fellow members know “what you are doing”, Twitter has expanded way beyond its founders wildest dreams.
2009 is the year Twitter has become more “mainstream”. This has been helped by celebrities such as Stephen Fry, Ashton Kutcher and Jonathan Ross espousing its virtues but also by the number of businesses out there realising the marketing and promotional capabilities of Twitter.
However it’s usually when I talk to potential clients about using Twitter as part of their social media marketing, I hear:
“It’s just for kids and geeks”
“Only IT and Marketing bods make money from it”
and other such comments.
With this in mind, here are a random 5 industries, each with 5 ways they could use Twitter to promote their business:
1) HOTELS
Twitter is fast paced, instant communication, ideal for the hotel & hospitality industry.
Hotels could:
- Communicate last minute offers – Use Twitpic to show pictures of rooms – Post customer testimonials – Request feedback from guests
DM Bonus – If your guests have Twitter, why not DM them a special Twitter code if they eat dinner in the hotel?
2) PHOTOGRAPHERS
While Twitter is seen mainly as a textual medium, it can be visual too.
Photographers, why not:
- Use Twitpic to post a “picture of the day” – Tweet about the photo shoot you’re doing today, so people get a feel for your scope – Post links to your blog/website – Use TwTQpon to offer free studio time (specify purchase of X photos) – Ask satisfied customers to retweet the link to their pic(s) in your portfolio
DM Bonus – If your customers are on Twitter, DM them the link to thier pictures on your password protected server, or private group on Flickr/Facebook etc.
3)ASTROLOGIST
It’s not always easy to get people to sign up to a mailing list on a website if you’re in a very niche industry, but it’s a lot easier to get followers on Twitter.
- Use Hootsuite to run 12 daily horoscope accounts – one for each star sign – Post details of astrologically important days/dates/events – Offer a free reading for every 50th follower – ask people to retweet – Post testimonials from satisfied clients – Post celebrity horoscopes on a weekly basis
DM Bonus – Offer free 140 character descriptions of each star sign – have them ready to cut and paste. Offer them by DM only. (People have to follow you to get DM’s)
4) HOLIDAY RESORT/GUESTHOUSE
If SEO is too competitive and too costly, try Twitter – the only cost is your time, and even that can be minimal!
- Use 12 second TV to post short video testimonials filmed on an iPhone or similar – Use Twitpic to post pictures of your resort – Post about local traditions/holidays/etc – Tweet last minute special offers/prices – Use TwtQpon to offer money off local/on site restaurants/bars
DM Bonus – Guests on Twitter? DM them to let them know they can check in.
5) SPEAKERS
It might be written communication, but I know a few speakers doing very well from Twitter, so if you’re a speaker, why not:
- Post links to audio files of you speaking – Autofeed your calender/blog into your Twitter account so people know where you’re speaking – Post a “tip of the day” each day, related to your speciality – Use 12 second TV to post short clips of you speaking then link to the longer version on youtube/your website – Use Twitter search to find people talking about your speciality/niche – ask them if they can introduce you to people wanting speakers
DM Bonus – Offer a free ebook / whitepaper / mention on your website by DM only. The only way to get it is to follow you so you can DM them.
So there you have it – 5 types of business that should be using Twitter, and 5 things they can use it for.
Nikki Pilkington is author of TweetMentor from NikkiPilkington.com, a 100 day hand holding support system to help you through the Twitter maze.
Internet marketing expert Nikki Pilkington is owner of NikkiPilkington.com, an internet marketing and search engine optimisation company based in the UK, offering higher google listings, SEO, website traffic generation, Adwords management, email marketing and more.
It’s not just for kids and geeks – Twitter is good for Business too!
November 4, 2009 by IBI · Leave a Comment
5 types of business that should be using Twitter
They’re all talking about it – the online phenomenon for 2009. Forget Google, forget Facebook and don’t even mention Yell.com – Twitter is where it’s at this year!
Founded in 2006 as a way to let fellow members know “what you are doing”, Twitter has expanded way beyond its founders wildest dreams.
2009 is the year Twitter has become more “mainstream”. This has been helped by celebrities such as Stephen Fry, Ashton Kutcher and Jonathan Ross espousing its virtues but also by the number of businesses out there realising the marketing and promotional capabilities of Twitter.
However it’s usually when I talk to potential clients about using Twitter as part of their social media marketing, I hear:
“It’s just for kids and geeks”
“Only IT and Marketing bods make money from it”
and other such comments.
With this in mind, here are a random 5 industries, each with 5 ways they could use Twitter to promote their business:
1) HOTELS
Twitter is fast paced, instant communication, ideal for the hotel & hospitality industry.
Hotels could:
- Communicate last minute offers – Use Twitpic to show pictures of rooms – Post customer testimonials – Request feedback from guests
DM Bonus – If your guests have Twitter, why not DM them a special Twitter code if they eat dinner in the hotel?
2) PHOTOGRAPHERS
While Twitter is seen mainly as a textual medium, it can be visual too.
Photographers, why not:
- Use Twitpic to post a “picture of the day” – Tweet about the photo shoot you’re doing today, so people get a feel for your scope – Post links to your blog/website – Use TwTQpon to offer free studio time (specify purchase of X photos) – Ask satisfied customers to retweet the link to their pic(s) in your portfolio
DM Bonus – If your customers are on Twitter, DM them the link to thier pictures on your password protected server, or private group on Flickr/Facebook etc.
3)ASTROLOGIST
It’s not always easy to get people to sign up to a mailing list on a website if you’re in a very niche industry, but it’s a lot easier to get followers on Twitter.
- Use Hootsuite to run 12 daily horoscope accounts – one for each star sign – Post details of astrologically important days/dates/events – Offer a free reading for every 50th follower – ask people to retweet – Post testimonials from satisfied clients – Post celebrity horoscopes on a weekly basis
DM Bonus – Offer free 140 character descriptions of each star sign – have them ready to cut and paste. Offer them by DM only. (People have to follow you to get DM’s)
4) HOLIDAY RESORT/GUESTHOUSE
If SEO is too competitive and too costly, try Twitter – the only cost is your time, and even that can be minimal!
- Use 12 second TV to post short video testimonials filmed on an iPhone or similar – Use Twitpic to post pictures of your resort – Post about local traditions/holidays/etc – Tweet last minute special offers/prices – Use TwtQpon to offer money off local/on site restaurants/bars
DM Bonus – Guests on Twitter? DM them to let them know they can check in.
5) SPEAKERS
It might be written communication, but I know a few speakers doing very well from Twitter, so if you’re a speaker, why not:
- Post links to audio files of you speaking – Autofeed your calender/blog into your Twitter account so people know where you’re speaking – Post a “tip of the day” each day, related to your speciality – Use 12 second TV to post short clips of you speaking then link to the longer version on youtube/your website – Use Twitter search to find people talking about your speciality/niche – ask them if they can introduce you to people wanting speakers
DM Bonus – Offer a free ebook / whitepaper / mention on your website by DM only. The only way to get it is to follow you so you can DM them.
So there you have it – 5 types of business that should be using Twitter, and 5 things they can use it for.
Nikki Pilkington is author of TweetMentor from NikkiPilkington.com, a 100 day hand holding support system to help you through the Twitter maze.
Internet marketing expert Nikki Pilkington is owner of NikkiPilkington.com, an internet marketing and search engine optimisation company based in the UK, offering higher google listings, SEO, website traffic generation, Adwords management, email marketing and more.
It’s not just for kids and geeks – Twitter is good for Business too!
November 1, 2009 by IBI · Leave a Comment
5 types of business that should be using Twitter
They’re all talking about it – the online phenomenon for 2009. Forget Google, forget Facebook and don’t even mention Yell.com – Twitter is where it’s at this year!
Founded in 2006 as a way to let fellow members know “what you are doing”, Twitter has expanded way beyond its founders wildest dreams.
2009 is the year Twitter has become more “mainstream”. This has been helped by celebrities such as Stephen Fry, Ashton Kutcher and Jonathan Ross espousing its virtues but also by the number of businesses out there realising the marketing and promotional capabilities of Twitter.
However it’s usually when I talk to potential clients about using Twitter as part of their social media marketing, I hear:
“It’s just for kids and geeks”
“Only IT and Marketing bods make money from it”
and other such comments.
With this in mind, here are a random 5 industries, each with 5 ways they could use Twitter to promote their business:
1) HOTELS
Twitter is fast paced, instant communication, ideal for the hotel & hospitality industry.
Hotels could:
- Communicate last minute offers – Use Twitpic to show pictures of rooms – Post customer testimonials – Request feedback from guests
DM Bonus – If your guests have Twitter, why not DM them a special Twitter code if they eat dinner in the hotel?
2) PHOTOGRAPHERS
While Twitter is seen mainly as a textual medium, it can be visual too.
Photographers, why not:
- Use Twitpic to post a “picture of the day” – Tweet about the photo shoot you’re doing today, so people get a feel for your scope – Post links to your blog/website – Use TwTQpon to offer free studio time (specify purchase of X photos) – Ask satisfied customers to retweet the link to their pic(s) in your portfolio
DM Bonus – If your customers are on Twitter, DM them the link to thier pictures on your password protected server, or private group on Flickr/Facebook etc.
3)ASTROLOGIST
It’s not always easy to get people to sign up to a mailing list on a website if you’re in a very niche industry, but it’s a lot easier to get followers on Twitter.
- Use Hootsuite to run 12 daily horoscope accounts – one for each star sign – Post details of astrologically important days/dates/events – Offer a free reading for every 50th follower – ask people to retweet – Post testimonials from satisfied clients – Post celebrity horoscopes on a weekly basis
DM Bonus – Offer free 140 character descriptions of each star sign – have them ready to cut and paste. Offer them by DM only. (People have to follow you to get DM’s)
4) HOLIDAY RESORT/GUESTHOUSE
If SEO is too competitive and too costly, try Twitter – the only cost is your time, and even that can be minimal!
- Use 12 second TV to post short video testimonials filmed on an iPhone or similar – Use Twitpic to post pictures of your resort – Post about local traditions/holidays/etc – Tweet last minute special offers/prices – Use TwtQpon to offer money off local/on site restaurants/bars
DM Bonus – Guests on Twitter? DM them to let them know they can check in.
5) SPEAKERS
It might be written communication, but I know a few speakers doing very well from Twitter, so if you’re a speaker, why not:
- Post links to audio files of you speaking – Autofeed your calender/blog into your Twitter account so people know where you’re speaking – Post a “tip of the day” each day, related to your speciality – Use 12 second TV to post short clips of you speaking then link to the longer version on youtube/your website – Use Twitter search to find people talking about your speciality/niche – ask them if they can introduce you to people wanting speakers
DM Bonus – Offer a free ebook / whitepaper / mention on your website by DM only. The only way to get it is to follow you so you can DM them.
So there you have it – 5 types of business that should be using Twitter, and 5 things they can use it for.
Nikki Pilkington is author of TweetMentor from NikkiPilkington.com, a 100 day hand holding support system to help you through the Twitter maze.
Internet marketing expert Nikki Pilkington is owner of NikkiPilkington.com, an internet marketing and search engine optimisation company based in the UK, offering higher google listings, SEO, website traffic generation, Adwords management, email marketing and more.
It’s not just for kids and geeks – Twitter is good for Business too!
November 1, 2009 by IBI · Leave a Comment
5 types of business that should be using Twitter
They’re all talking about it – the online phenomenon for 2009. Forget Google, forget Facebook and don’t even mention Yell.com – Twitter is where it’s at this year!
Founded in 2006 as a way to let fellow members know “what you are doing”, Twitter has expanded way beyond its founders wildest dreams.
2009 is the year Twitter has become more “mainstream”. This has been helped by celebrities such as Stephen Fry, Ashton Kutcher and Jonathan Ross espousing its virtues but also by the number of businesses out there realising the marketing and promotional capabilities of Twitter.
However it’s usually when I talk to potential clients about using Twitter as part of their social media marketing, I hear:
“It’s just for kids and geeks”
“Only IT and Marketing bods make money from it”
and other such comments.
With this in mind, here are a random 5 industries, each with 5 ways they could use Twitter to promote their business:
1) HOTELS
Twitter is fast paced, instant communication, ideal for the hotel & hospitality industry.
Hotels could:
- Communicate last minute offers – Use Twitpic to show pictures of rooms – Post customer testimonials – Request feedback from guests
DM Bonus – If your guests have Twitter, why not DM them a special Twitter code if they eat dinner in the hotel?
2) PHOTOGRAPHERS
While Twitter is seen mainly as a textual medium, it can be visual too.
Photographers, why not:
- Use Twitpic to post a “picture of the day” – Tweet about the photo shoot you’re doing today, so people get a feel for your scope – Post links to your blog/website – Use TwTQpon to offer free studio time (specify purchase of X photos) – Ask satisfied customers to retweet the link to their pic(s) in your portfolio
DM Bonus – If your customers are on Twitter, DM them the link to thier pictures on your password protected server, or private group on Flickr/Facebook etc.
3)ASTROLOGIST
It’s not always easy to get people to sign up to a mailing list on a website if you’re in a very niche industry, but it’s a lot easier to get followers on Twitter.
- Use Hootsuite to run 12 daily horoscope accounts – one for each star sign – Post details of astrologically important days/dates/events – Offer a free reading for every 50th follower – ask people to retweet – Post testimonials from satisfied clients – Post celebrity horoscopes on a weekly basis
DM Bonus – Offer free 140 character descriptions of each star sign – have them ready to cut and paste. Offer them by DM only. (People have to follow you to get DM’s)
4) HOLIDAY RESORT/GUESTHOUSE
If SEO is too competitive and too costly, try Twitter – the only cost is your time, and even that can be minimal!
- Use 12 second TV to post short video testimonials filmed on an iPhone or similar – Use Twitpic to post pictures of your resort – Post about local traditions/holidays/etc – Tweet last minute special offers/prices – Use TwtQpon to offer money off local/on site restaurants/bars
DM Bonus – Guests on Twitter? DM them to let them know they can check in.
5) SPEAKERS
It might be written communication, but I know a few speakers doing very well from Twitter, so if you’re a speaker, why not:
- Post links to audio files of you speaking – Autofeed your calender/blog into your Twitter account so people know where you’re speaking – Post a “tip of the day” each day, related to your speciality – Use 12 second TV to post short clips of you speaking then link to the longer version on youtube/your website – Use Twitter search to find people talking about your speciality/niche – ask them if they can introduce you to people wanting speakers
DM Bonus – Offer a free ebook / whitepaper / mention on your website by DM only. The only way to get it is to follow you so you can DM them.
So there you have it – 5 types of business that should be using Twitter, and 5 things they can use it for.
Nikki Pilkington is author of TweetMentor from NikkiPilkington.com, a 100 day hand holding support system to help you through the Twitter maze.
Internet marketing expert Nikki Pilkington is owner of NikkiPilkington.com, an internet marketing and search engine optimisation company based in the UK, offering higher google listings, SEO, website traffic generation, Adwords management, email marketing and more.
It’s not just for kids and geeks – Twitter is good for Business too!
October 25, 2009 by IBI · Leave a Comment
5 types of business that should be using Twitter
They’re all talking about it – the online phenomenon for 2009. Forget Google, forget Facebook and don’t even mention Yell.com – Twitter is where it’s at this year!
Founded in 2006 as a way to let fellow members know “what you are doing”, Twitter has expanded way beyond its founders wildest dreams.
2009 is the year Twitter has become more “mainstream”. This has been helped by celebrities such as Stephen Fry, Ashton Kutcher and Jonathan Ross espousing its virtues but also by the number of businesses out there realising the marketing and promotional capabilities of Twitter.
However it’s usually when I talk to potential clients about using Twitter as part of their social media marketing, I hear:
“It’s just for kids and geeks”
“Only IT and Marketing bods make money from it”
and other such comments.
With this in mind, here are a random 5 industries, each with 5 ways they could use Twitter to promote their business:
1) HOTELS
Twitter is fast paced, instant communication, ideal for the hotel & hospitality industry.
Hotels could:
- Communicate last minute offers – Use Twitpic to show pictures of rooms – Post customer testimonials – Request feedback from guests
DM Bonus – If your guests have Twitter, why not DM them a special Twitter code if they eat dinner in the hotel?
2) PHOTOGRAPHERS
While Twitter is seen mainly as a textual medium, it can be visual too.
Photographers, why not:
- Use Twitpic to post a “picture of the day” – Tweet about the photo shoot you’re doing today, so people get a feel for your scope – Post links to your blog/website – Use TwTQpon to offer free studio time (specify purchase of X photos) – Ask satisfied customers to retweet the link to their pic(s) in your portfolio
DM Bonus – If your customers are on Twitter, DM them the link to thier pictures on your password protected server, or private group on Flickr/Facebook etc.
3)ASTROLOGIST
It’s not always easy to get people to sign up to a mailing list on a website if you’re in a very niche industry, but it’s a lot easier to get followers on Twitter.
- Use Hootsuite to run 12 daily horoscope accounts – one for each star sign – Post details of astrologically important days/dates/events – Offer a free reading for every 50th follower – ask people to retweet – Post testimonials from satisfied clients – Post celebrity horoscopes on a weekly basis
DM Bonus – Offer free 140 character descriptions of each star sign – have them ready to cut and paste. Offer them by DM only. (People have to follow you to get DM’s)
4) HOLIDAY RESORT/GUESTHOUSE
If SEO is too competitive and too costly, try Twitter – the only cost is your time, and even that can be minimal!
- Use 12 second TV to post short video testimonials filmed on an iPhone or similar – Use Twitpic to post pictures of your resort – Post about local traditions/holidays/etc – Tweet last minute special offers/prices – Use TwtQpon to offer money off local/on site restaurants/bars
DM Bonus – Guests on Twitter? DM them to let them know they can check in.
5) SPEAKERS
It might be written communication, but I know a few speakers doing very well from Twitter, so if you’re a speaker, why not:
- Post links to audio files of you speaking – Autofeed your calender/blog into your Twitter account so people know where you’re speaking – Post a “tip of the day” each day, related to your speciality – Use 12 second TV to post short clips of you speaking then link to the longer version on youtube/your website – Use Twitter search to find people talking about your speciality/niche – ask them if they can introduce you to people wanting speakers
DM Bonus – Offer a free ebook / whitepaper / mention on your website by DM only. The only way to get it is to follow you so you can DM them.
So there you have it – 5 types of business that should be using Twitter, and 5 things they can use it for.
Nikki Pilkington is author of TweetMentor from NikkiPilkington.com, a 100 day hand holding support system to help you through the Twitter maze.
Internet marketing expert Nikki Pilkington is owner of NikkiPilkington.com, an internet marketing and search engine optimisation company based in the UK, offering higher google listings, SEO, website traffic generation, Adwords management, email marketing and more.
It’s not just for kids and geeks – Twitter is good for Business too!
October 25, 2009 by IBI · Leave a Comment
5 types of business that should be using Twitter
They’re all talking about it – the online phenomenon for 2009. Forget Google, forget Facebook and don’t even mention Yell.com – Twitter is where it’s at this year!
Founded in 2006 as a way to let fellow members know “what you are doing”, Twitter has expanded way beyond its founders wildest dreams.
2009 is the year Twitter has become more “mainstream”. This has been helped by celebrities such as Stephen Fry, Ashton Kutcher and Jonathan Ross espousing its virtues but also by the number of businesses out there realising the marketing and promotional capabilities of Twitter.
However it’s usually when I talk to potential clients about using Twitter as part of their social media marketing, I hear:
“It’s just for kids and geeks”
“Only IT and Marketing bods make money from it”
and other such comments.
With this in mind, here are a random 5 industries, each with 5 ways they could use Twitter to promote their business:
1) HOTELS
Twitter is fast paced, instant communication, ideal for the hotel & hospitality industry.
Hotels could:
- Communicate last minute offers – Use Twitpic to show pictures of rooms – Post customer testimonials – Request feedback from guests
DM Bonus – If your guests have Twitter, why not DM them a special Twitter code if they eat dinner in the hotel?
2) PHOTOGRAPHERS
While Twitter is seen mainly as a textual medium, it can be visual too.
Photographers, why not:
- Use Twitpic to post a “picture of the day” – Tweet about the photo shoot you’re doing today, so people get a feel for your scope – Post links to your blog/website – Use TwTQpon to offer free studio time (specify purchase of X photos) – Ask satisfied customers to retweet the link to their pic(s) in your portfolio
DM Bonus – If your customers are on Twitter, DM them the link to thier pictures on your password protected server, or private group on Flickr/Facebook etc.
3)ASTROLOGIST
It’s not always easy to get people to sign up to a mailing list on a website if you’re in a very niche industry, but it’s a lot easier to get followers on Twitter.
- Use Hootsuite to run 12 daily horoscope accounts – one for each star sign – Post details of astrologically important days/dates/events – Offer a free reading for every 50th follower – ask people to retweet – Post testimonials from satisfied clients – Post celebrity horoscopes on a weekly basis
DM Bonus – Offer free 140 character descriptions of each star sign – have them ready to cut and paste. Offer them by DM only. (People have to follow you to get DM’s)
4) HOLIDAY RESORT/GUESTHOUSE
If SEO is too competitive and too costly, try Twitter – the only cost is your time, and even that can be minimal!
- Use 12 second TV to post short video testimonials filmed on an iPhone or similar – Use Twitpic to post pictures of your resort – Post about local traditions/holidays/etc – Tweet last minute special offers/prices – Use TwtQpon to offer money off local/on site restaurants/bars
DM Bonus – Guests on Twitter? DM them to let them know they can check in.
5) SPEAKERS
It might be written communication, but I know a few speakers doing very well from Twitter, so if you’re a speaker, why not:
- Post links to audio files of you speaking – Autofeed your calender/blog into your Twitter account so people know where you’re speaking – Post a “tip of the day” each day, related to your speciality – Use 12 second TV to post short clips of you speaking then link to the longer version on youtube/your website – Use Twitter search to find people talking about your speciality/niche – ask them if they can introduce you to people wanting speakers
DM Bonus – Offer a free ebook / whitepaper / mention on your website by DM only. The only way to get it is to follow you so you can DM them.
So there you have it – 5 types of business that should be using Twitter, and 5 things they can use it for.
Nikki Pilkington is author of TweetMentor from NikkiPilkington.com, a 100 day hand holding support system to help you through the Twitter maze.
Internet marketing expert Nikki Pilkington is owner of NikkiPilkington.com, an internet marketing and search engine optimisation company based in the UK, offering higher google listings, SEO, website traffic generation, Adwords management, email marketing and more.
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