The Best Deals in Detroit

Detroit Tweeting!

Doing Things Correctly… Right From The Start

This is part 5 of a 12 day series that will cover how exactly to use Twitter more effectively in your Michigan business (although the tips can be used in general as well in case you’d just like to use Twitter for your own fun).

The surest sign of a Twitter newbie is a default background, empty website and bio fields and little content. And the surest sign of someone who doesn’t know how to use Twitter for business is a vague or inappropriate bio field. That said there are specific things you need to do on your Michigan Twitter profile before you hit the road with it.

1. First and foremost, choose your Twitter username wisely. Like your domain name, it should be easy to spell and remember. After all, you want people to find your Michigan business using the search feature, or even Google. The username should reflect positively on your Michigan business as well.

While it might seem like fun to make your username “ilovechocolate,” if you’re a virtual assistant whose work has nothing to do with chocolate, this is probably not a good idea.

For branding purposes, it’s best to choose either your Michigan business name or your name (depending on what you’re trying to brand), or a variation of it, as your username.

2. Write a good bio. The bio doesn’t have to be a literary masterpiece, but it does need to succinctly describe who you are or what you offer. And the bio should contain your keywords.

Keep in mind when you’re writing your bio that people will be finding you using the information you put there. So if someone is looking for a virtual assistant, but your profile bio says “chocolate-eating dragon slayer,” chances are no one is going to find you. Well, not anyone you’ll do business with.

3. Choose your profile picture wisely. The best option for your profile picture is a photograph of you. That said, it should be a professional shot – you really do want to present a positive image for your Michigan business. Make sure the shot is clear, well lit and that you’ve put your best face forward.

You can be quirky or funny, but make sure it’s appropriate. So if you’re tweeting as the CEO of a major Michigan corporation, you don’t want your profile photo of you in a Hawaiian shirt sitting on a bar stool. However, if you’re a quirky, creative photographer, you might be able to get away with pink hair and a tongue piercing. The bottom line is to be YOU and let others see who you are, without damaging your own reputation in the process.

4. Use a custom background. You can have a designer create a background for you or use a free background generator online. The background will not only show Twitter users that you mean business, it will also enable you to display more information about your Michigan business and additional means of making contact.

You can also place your logo on the background to further brand your Michigan Twitter profile. And if you’re branding yourself as a business – say if you’re a life coach, for example – you can even put a full body picture of yourself, perhaps holding your logo in your hands, or something memorable like that.

Remember, whatever you do, you want to set yourself apart from the pack with your Michigan Twitter profile. Make it professional, but memorable. Include information so that people can contact you on other sites, by email and by phone. Make a statement about the value your Michigan business can provide to those who land on your profile.

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That’s it for today. Come back tomorrow to read Day 6 in this series!

Here’s quicklinks to the other parts in this series:
Day 1: 10 Twitter Tips For Your Michigan Business Series Introduction
Day 2: Why Twitter is Important to Your Michigan Business
Day 3: Setting Goals for Your Michigan Twitter Adventure
Day 4: Planning Your Michigan Twitter Adventure
Day 5: Set up Your Michigan Twitter Profile Correctly
Day 6: Twitter is All About the Right Content
Day 7: Networking in Your Michigan Twitter Community
Day 8: Are You Following the Right Twitter People?
Day 9: Maximizing Your Michigan Twitter Usage By Using the Right Tools
Day 10: Using Twitter for Michigan Market Research
Day 11: Automating Twitter Tips
Day 12: Take Action With These Twitter Ideas!

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