Twitter just yesterday released a suite of Web pages called “Twitter 101: A Special Guide,” a report on how businesses could benefit from Twitter:
“We coordinated with business students and writers to surface some interesting findings, best practices, steps for getting started, and case studies. The results demonstrate how customers are getting value out of Twitter and suggest techniques businesses can employ to enhance that value.”
For the first few pages, the “Special Guide” serves as an instruction manual to Twitter, explaining every single feature and strange slang associated with the site. After the site is thoroughly explained, the report gets into describing the real business practices that could only take place on Twitter.
While reminding posters to be casual and friendly in their messages, the report shares ideas with potential business tweeters like giving out coupons, announcing deals, or posting pictures. Most of what Twitter recommends for small businesses and major companies alike, however, is to just create an account for interacting with customers on a personal level.
Already, Twitter can name a few businesses that are using the site for just that ability. JetBlue, for example, employs a half dozen-large team to update their Twitter account, answering customer questions, sharing news and information. Other businesses, like American Apparel, are simply using the site to advertise new products in a time-dependent environment.
“You don’t have to run a bike shop or a relatively small company to get good stuff out of Twitter. Businesses of all kinds, including major brands, increasingly find that listening and engaging on the service lead to happier customers, passionate advocates, key product improvements and, in many cases, more sales.”
And Twitter believes that it can and will play a pivotal role in providing the structure that will ultimately break down barriers between businesses and their customers.