Everything You Need to Know About Setting Up a Business Twitter Account

Twitter is one of the fastest growing social networks out there, and businesses have begun to embrace it in droves. In the last year alone, for instance, Fortune 500 companies have doubled their presence on Twitter. It's easy to set up a Twitter account for your business, and it could be one of the smartest moves you make this year. It only takes a few simple steps before you can start engaging customers, building a brand presence, and networking. Why Businesses Should be on Twitter Before setting up your business Twitter account, you should be aware of the benefits that having a presence on Twitter can offer your business. Depending on what type of business you have, Twitter may be good for some or all of the following purposes: Increasing brand awareness Providing customer support Engaging with current customers Lead generation Networking Integrating with other social media presences Anything that involves interacting with customers, clients, and other businesses can be done via Twitter. It is one of the most powerful tools for businesses looking to engage. Setting up a Business Twitter Account Step one: Choose your Twitter account name. The name you choose is important so that people will find you when they search. You should try to sign up both your personal name and your business name, as well as any major brands you own. This ensures that there is no confusion on the customer end. You'll want to decide whether to use your personal or business account to engage with customers and other businesses. This decision depends on the nature of your business - if you are a sole freelancer, for instance, it is likely a good idea to use your own name; if you run a small business with three or four employees, the business name might be best. Step two: Sign up with your chosen name Visit Twitter's account creation page and register your chosen name. A few things to keep in mind: The maximum number of characters you can use for your Twitter name is fifteen If you business name is longer than fifteen characters, consider using an abbreviation You might have to have an alternative name or two ready if your first choice has been taken, especially if your business name involves common words Using keywords in your name can target the audience you're looking for on Twitter, but it can also throw up red flags for seasoned Twitter users who might suspect a spam account. Use keywords with caution. Step three: Upload your picture Your Twitter profile will have a picture attached, so you want to ensure that it represents you or your business. Avoid X-rated pictures, as well as any pictures that are unrelated to your business (such as a nice landscape or your pet). You want customers and clients to associate this picture with your brand immediately, so usually the best option is to upload a picture of your company logo or a headshot of yourself. Step four: Add your link Each Twitter profile can have one link, so use it wisely. Some options for your link include: Your company's website Your company's "About" page Your blog A page created just for Twitter users to welcome them to your brand Step five: Write your Twitter bio A Twitter bio is short, just like a tweet - only 160-characters, max. You'll want to keep it short and sweet, and get to the heart of who you are or what your business has to offer right away. We've written an in-depth guide to writing a killer Twitter bio to get targeted followers that will help you craft the ideal bio. Step six: Send out your first tweet If you've followed these steps, you're all set to start tweeting! Send our your first introduction tweet, and begin building that follower list and engaging with customers.

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Everything You Need to Know About Setting Up a Business Twitter Account

Lauren Dugan

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Lauren Dugan