How can Twitter help my business?

To tell the truth I really wasn't getting this whole Twitter thing. And certainly didn't see how Twitter could help my business. Facebook I get, but how was Twitter different? It seemed like Facebook with just the status update feature. However, after a little research I've changed my mind.

Twitter is a great way to let customers and prospects know about specials, coupons, or any other promotion about your business. Now the trick is to get customers/prospects to follow you on Twitter. There are some techniques and websites you can use to help with this (won't go into it now, maybe will save that for another post), but let's say that you have 500 followers that are either your customers or prospects. Wouldn't it be nice to send them a quick message letting them know about a new product or promotion.

For example, suppose you have an ice cream shop and for some reason you have extra inventory of chocolate ice cream. You decide to offer a buy one get one free or chocolate ice cream cones, you send out a tweet letting you're customers know about this sweet deal. Before you know it, you are sold out of chocolate. Get the idea? So go sign up for your Twitter account today.

Then if you need some help getting followers see my post on a program I'm trying. You can also follow me on Twitter @ericoverton