I recorded this video back in December 2009 in response to some hating I was witnessing on Twitter. I saw people reacting negatively to the presence of businesses on Twitter, and not just the MLM teeth-whitening jerks. As a business, it is true that poor marketing in any form can and should backfire on you – this includes Twitter. If you yap yap yap about your business, never join the community, never help others…. you will meet with adverse results, and you might even have a few people tell you how they feel about your business.
That aside, my point in the video is that there are many small business entrepreneurs out there that live their business – the business is them, and they are their business. This is their life’s passion. So if you’re on Twitter and you’re passionate about the TV show Lost, and someone else is passionate about their startup business, there really is no difference there – it’s just two people rapping about their passions in life. Respect the entrepreneur!
Nice take on businesses in social media….
Many people assume that businesses on Twitter are like devious leprechauns jumping into their community and pointing to false pots of gold (reference for today). Sure, there are many businesses out there who do this, and usually it's because they don't understand what Twitter is. Twitter and other social spaces are places to stir conversations on your passion. (One of the most successful Twitterers, @garyvee, would probably tell you something similar.) And, it just so happens that individuals with businesses are passionate about their business and industry! So, don't knock all business entities in the social scene; some have good intentions. In addition, we should celebrate the new outlets for getting in touch with businesses and business owners, like the owner of your favorite steak house. =)
I do a lot of thinking in the car too — ha ha. It is absolutely ok to market your business on Twitter — I think you have to play the 80/20 , 90/10, 70/30 rule — whatever works for your business.
I follow a chinese restaurant that has awesome food @HoWunRestaurant — they tweet the chinese word of the day and their lunch special every day — it is a 50/50 rule — I don't know if it is working for them or not but I am taking advantage of the specials and I am now fluent in Mandarin — ha ha.
Great post Chris.
good stuff Chris. As you know I attempt to use social media for my business, and it is not easy. I think there is a misconception that all you have to do is yap about your business and you are marketing yourself. There is nothing wrong with having a business presence on Twitter, you should, but there is a real art to it that I think is lost on some.
Like you say, share your passion…not just your specials.