Do you want to use Twitter as an internet marketing tool? Whether you want to market a website, blog, product, or service, you will do so with updates. These updates, also known as Tweets, are where you will highlight what you want to bring attention to.

Before you signup for a free Twitter account and start sending messages, it is important to understand Twitter. For starters, messages should be under 140 characters. This means that you need to master the trade of being short, yet right to the point. This may require some practice, but it is important.

Next, it is important to understand what Twitter is used for. Yes, you are using it for internet marketing, but not everyone has the same goals. For that reason, explore the Twitter website. Visit the help section, as well as Search.Twitter.com. This gives you the opportunity to search for sample Tweets. See how others format their messages, what they have to say, or what they are looking for.

Before sending Tweets, otherwise known or messages or updates, you need to have followers. These are members who will read your messages. It is easy to add and search for your friends and family online, but this will not help if your goal is internet marketing. Instead, search for who will buy what you have to sell. These are members of your target market.

As for how you can search for your targeted market, use online message boards. Ask around for Twitter exchanges. You follow a member and receive their updates and they agree to do the same. Also, visit Search.Twitter.com. Look for those who could be customers of yours. For example, do you sell a dog obedience eBook? Look for posts that signal a pet owner. You can make contact and join their list of contacts. Remember, many will return the favor.

Once you have registered for a free account and developed a fan following, you can begin to send updates. This is when you can use advertising. With that said, remember discreet is the best approach to take. Straight up advertisements may leave those on your contact list feeling used. People use Twitter to socialize and make new acquaintances, not to be bombarded with advertisements.

So, how do you advertise a product or service, without really doing so? Try asking for feedback. Do you sell pet products? Ask followers on your list for feedback on your website layout or a particular product you sell. Include a link to your website. This accomplishes the goal of generating traffic. Not only that, your Twitter followers will feel as if you care and value their opinion. And, if someone like what you are selling, they will make a purchase.

Another way to disguise your advertisements on Twitter is to offer promotions or incentives. For example, do you have product samples available or can you offer a discount? If so, extend this offer to those in your Twitter contact list. Making this offer exclusive takes it a step farther. Include the offer in a Tweet update, but be sure to state it is only extended to Twitter followers. Yes, this is an advertisement, but you are offering an incentive. Plus, your Twitter followers will feel honored that a special offer was extended to them.

Now that you have a few ideas on how to disguise your advertisements on Twitter, it is important to know why. Internet users use Twitter for a wide range of reasons, but being bombarded with advertisements is not one of them.

Are you new to internet marketing? If so, you may be looking for a crash course. Online, you will find a lot of information on using article directories, banner exchanges, and search engine optimization to market your business website. Yes, these are all effective approaches, but consider the unconventional approaches that aren’t always discussed in great detail. One example is Twitter.

Twitter is an online social networking community that is user based. Members create a free account, develop a list of contacts, and then send and receive messages. Responses are sent with the use of @replies. These messages are 140 characters or less in length. They are sent through various avenues, including some mobile web applications, RSS, Facebook, and the Twitter website.

At first glance, Twitter looks like nothing more than a common social networking website. Yes, it is, but there is more to this popular service. Remember, it can be an effective internet marketing tool. You can advertise your website, blog, products, or services in messages known as Tweets. You can create interest and clicks with catchy Tweets and links.

Do you need more reasons to implement Twitter as an internet marketing tool? If so, continue reading on.

1 – It is Easy to Join

Joining online programs and communities should be easy, but it isn’t always. You will not have this problem on Twitter. You register for a free account from Twitter.com. Next, you provide your email address and create a username and password. It is really as simple as that. In fact, you do not have to wait for a confirmation email to get started!

2 – It is Popular

With some internet marketing methods, you are lucky if you reach a thousand internet users. You will not have this problem on Twitter. Why? Because there are over 2 million members! Yes, you will not communicate with all of these members, but this is a huge audience for you to gain.

In addition to finding contacts, members will find you. If you set your messages to public, as opposed to private, they will not only be sent to your followers, but appear on Search.Twitter.com. This means that other members can read your posts and opt to follow you.

3 – It is Easy to Find Your Target Market

Marketing online is a great way to increase your earnings potential. You will find the best success with finding your target market on Twitter. These are individuals who will buy your products, buy your services, or visit your website or blog.

An easy way to get started is to post link exchanges online. Visit message boards and ask for Twitter contact information. Also, visit Search.Twitter.com. Here, search for Tweets that are related to your blog, website or the products or services you sell. Send a reply. If possible, incorporate a link.

4 – It is Easy to Market Yourself

As previously stated, incorporate a link into your Tweets. Do this when applicable. Instead of sending advertisements, take the clever approach. Answer the Tweet question by staying you are updating your website or processing sales and provide a link to your website.

5 – Twitter is Free to Join

Since Twitter is free to join and use, you have nothing to lose. There are no investments required and no risks are assumed.

As you can see, there are five great reasons why you should use Twitter as an internet marketing tool. In fact, the better question would be why not?

Do you Twitter? If so, you may use Twitter to communicate with friends and family. This is the most common use of this online service; however, Twitter can be used for much more. When properly used, Twitter is an effective internet marketing tool.

Hearing that Twitter is a great internet marketing tool is nice, but you may want to see proof. Please continue reading on for five reasons why you, as an internet marketer, should use Twitter.

1 – Large Market

Twitter is rapidly increasing in popularity. In fact, there are over 2 million members. This gives you access to a large audience. Yes, you will not communicate will all members, but the possibility of doing so is amazing.

To find contacts, search Twitter, ask for information exchanges online, and search for members based on email address, name, and location. Of course, you can add anyone to your list of contacts, but aim for your targeted market. If you are a selling a product, who will buy it? Find those people on Twitter.

2 – Easy to Converse

At first glance, Twitter may seem a little overwhelming. At first glance, it only appears as if you can add friends and family. This is not true. As previously stated, search Search.Twitter.com to find interesting conversations and reply. This is an easy way to make contact with those you do not know on a personal level.

In addition to responding to messages on Search.Twitter.com, you send Tweets or updates to your followers. When you are following other members, you receive their Tweets or updates. It is easy for you to respond with a reply.

3 – Generate Interest

When you Tweet about a product or service you sell, it is easy to generate interest. The more interesting your product or service is, the more interest will be generated. For example, many are now concerned with the environment. Do you sell eco-friendly products online? Send Tweets outlining a product you sell and ask for feedback. This not only generates clicks, but it may result in a sale. Plus, people forward and share what they like on Twitter.

4 – Easy to Avoid Sounding like Advertisements

There are no rules against advertising on Twitter. There are rules on spam. For that reason, avoid sending large, bulky unsolicited advertisements. For example, encourage people to view your latest blog post, but do so no more than twice a day. Any more and your Tweets may be classified as spam.

To increase your success, cleverly write your Tweets. It is easy to make advertisements appear like they aren’t even advertisements at all. As previously stated, do you sell an eco-friendly product? Instead of listing that product and its selling price, briefly discuss it and ask for feedback. This still gets consumers to view the product, but without the pressure to buy.

5 – It Is Free

Twitter is free to use. All you need is a mobile phone or internet connection. It is also easy to get started. Simply just create a username, password, and provide your email address. It is recommended that you complete your profile bio, but then you are ready to start marketing.

The above mentioned reasons are just five reasons why you should give Twitter a try. While many use Twitter solely for social purposes, you can easily turn it into an effective internet marketing tool.

Do you want to use Twitter as an internet marketing tool? If so, congratulations. You are taking a step in the right direction. Once people realize that Twitter is more than just a way to stay in contact with friends and family, they start to see success. Depending on how you earn income, that success could include website or blog traffic and increased sales for products or services.

Twitter is a great way to market yourself and your business online. With that said, many new members make costly mistakes. These mistakes, five of which are outlined below, are ones you want to avoid making.

1 – Spam

Spam is defined as unsolicited bulk advertisements. To prevent your Twitter messages from sounding spammy, limit the number you send. For example, five Tweets a week that direct readers to your blog is not considered spam, but five hundred messages are.

As previously stated, spam is defined as unsolicited bulk advertisements. It is okay to send updates to your followers asking them to view your website, blog, or see a product you are selling, but also rely on replies. If someone asks a question that you can answer by directing traffic to your website or blog do so. This is unsolicited, as an applicable question was asked.

2 – Outright Advertisements

Another easy way to avoid the spam factor is to make your Tweet messages not appear as advertisements. Yes, your mail goal is to advertise your website, blog, product, or service, but take the roundabout approach. Many use Twitter to communicate with friends and to network online. Most users do not want to spend hours reading and sifting through advertisements.

For example, do you work as a freelance web designer? If so, you should have a website. Direct people to your website through a Tweet message, but don’t say “buy my service,” or “become a customer.” Instead, ask for feedback. See if others think your rates are fair or ask to have your samples reviewed. This still gets people to your website and if they want your service, they will buy it.

3 – Too Many Messages

As previously stated, avoid sending too many messages on Twitter. These messages, also known as updates and Tweets, will be sent to your followers. You can send private messages, otherwise they will automatically be sent to each of your followers. Unless your account is private, your messages will also be searchable.

For private conversations between friends and family, keep your messages private. In fact, create a separate Twitter account. For business use, do not send multiple messages an hour. This is can be considered spam, especially if your updates are outright advertisements.

4 – Late Night Twitters

A cell phone is not required to use Twitter, although many members do. It is not uncommon for mobile phone users to receive alerts when they get a Twitter message. For that reason, Twitter during normal business hours. Remember your goal is to market and make a name for your business, not disrupt potential customers during sleep.

5 – Not Taking Full Advantage of Twitter

This is the biggest mistake an internet marketer can do. First, if you have a Twitter account, make sure you are using it for business, not just personal use. Not realizing Twitter’s potential as an internet marketing tool can cost you money.

Next, rely on Twitter’s tools. You can find contacts by searching by email address, name, and location. Perform a search on Search.Twitter.com. Look for those who need a product or service you are selling. For example, do you sell eco-friendly products online? If so, reply and follow those with Tweets concerning the environment. You can advertise your product or website through @replies.

In short, Twitter is a great way to market your website, blog, products, or services online. With that said, use your best judgment. Never send late night Tweets, search for contacts online, do not spam users, and cleverly disguise your advertisements as helpful updates and replies.

Are you an online business owner? Whether you sell a product, a service, or generate income through affiliate links, internet marketing is a must. To generate a sale, you must first drive traffic to your website or blog. There are many ways for you to do so, including the social networking website Twitter.

Before highlighting the benefits of marketing your business with Twitter, understand what Twitter is. As previously stated, it is a social networking website that also acts as a micro-blog. After signing up for a Twitter account, you develop a list of contacts. These are individuals you want to follow or receive updates from. Many will return the favor, becoming followers of your updates. There are no limits on how many messages you can send; however, there is a 140 character limit. Updates, otherwise known as Tweets, are sent through instant messaging, mobile web applications, RSS feeds, Facebook, and the Twitter website.

By performing a search on Search.Twitter.com, you will see updates contain varying information. Some may ask questions on a new way to make money online, others may highlight their day, and so forth. The key to using Twitter as a marketing tool is to advertise without really advertising. Respond to Tweets found on Search.Twitter.com that are applicable to your website, blog, product or service. Occasionally send updates to your friends. Highlight your new blog post, summarize a product you are selling, or provide a discount code. You can also reply to members that you follow.

As for the benefits of marketing your business with Twitter:

You can generate traffic. As previously stated, whether you sell a product or service, either directly or indirectly, you need to drive traffic to your business website. You can easily do so with Twitter. Did you recently update your blog? If so, share a summary of your post on Twitter and then provide a link.

You can generate interest. In addition to generating traffic to your website or blog, you can also generate internet. There are a number of ways to do so. First, create catchy Tweets. For example, do you sell a new eco-friendly product? If so, don’t just instruct people to buy your product, but ask for their feedback. Ask how it can help the environment. Then, ask your followers to forward information on your product to their contacts. When you have a catchy message and product or service, it is easy to generate interest on Twitter.

You can make a sale. Regardless of whether you sell a product or a service, a sale will generate income. By increasing visitors to your website, you increase your chances of making a sale. You can go a step farther by making contacts that are within your targeted market. For example, do you sell children’s clothes? If so, your target market is parents. Perform a search on Search.Twitter.com to find posts that focus on parenting. You can offer a response that leads to your website, increasing your chances of making a sale.

You can get feedback. As previously stated, a great way to subtly increase traffic to your website or blog is to ask for feedback. By providing a link, you will not only get website traffic, but you will also get what you asked for, feedback. For example, do you sell great products, but are your prices too high? Twitter members will let you know.

You can update customers. When connecting with customers, may opt for newsletters. Yes, you can take this approach, but you can also do Twitter updates. Give your customers the opt in for Twitter updates. You can share promotional codes, new product releases, and so forth. If you take this approach, create a separate account for business and personal use.

Finally, you can use Twitter to hire help. Whether you want to hire a full-time employee or outsource a writing project or two, you can use Twitter to find qualified individuals looking for work.

Are you a blog writer? Although many internet users operate personal blogs, others do so to generate income. If you are one of those bloggers, it is important to have an effective internet marketing campaign. In addition to the traditional approaches, such as learning search engine optimization, think outside-of-the box. One unconventional marketing approach is to use Twitter.

If you don’t already know, Twitter is a social networking micro-blog. It is a user based program. Internet users create a free account, import contacts from their email account, and search for users based on location, name, and email address. Many also use online message boards to exchange information and develop a larger contact list. Messages, also known as updates and Tweets, are sent to all followers. Those individuals read and can respond. Messages are 140 characters or less and are sent via the Twitter website, some mobile web applications, RSS Feeds, instant messaging program, and Facebook.

At first glance, Twitter looks like any other social networking website, but it can be so much more. When properly used, Twitter can become an effective internet marketing tool. The first step is to create a free account and develop a list of followers. By following the updates of one member, they should return the favor. Remember, you can also use message boards to exchange information.

Once you have registered for a free account and developed a following on Twitter, you can start marketing your blog. Your first thought may be to make a big post introducing your blog. Yes, you can do this, but don’t let you first post be an advertisement. Instead, send a quick hello. Explain you are getting use to the Twitter website and thank your followers for joining you. This establishes a personal connection. You do not want your followers to feel right from the start that they are used solely for the purpose of advertising.

For your next Tweet, start working your blog into the mix. Since Twitter asks what you are doing, say “I am updating my blog. Check it out if you want,” and provide a link. This answers the Twitter question, but will also generate interest. Your followers will want to know your interests; therefore, they will click on your blog link. While there, they may buy a product you have available for sale or click on an advertisement. This is great, but first focusing on increase page views.

Another unique approach is to offer a contest on your blog. For example, does your blog share tips on how to save money. If so, giveaway a free eBook on the subject. People love free stuff. A contest should generate organic clicks on your blog, but it makes good content for Tweets. Send an update telling your followers that you just added a contest to your blog and that they should participate.

Aside from sending updates, also send replies. You will receive updates from those you follow. You can also search for Twitter messages on Search.Twitter.com. While there, look for questions that you can answer with a plug to your blog. @replies are nice, especially when responding to a specific question, as you are not sending an unsolicited advisement. Instead, you are sending advice.

As for why you should cleverly market your blog on Twitter, it has to do with communication. That is what Twitter is about, encouraging short, but meaningful conversations. Users want to feel like they made a new friend, not like they are being pursued as a consumer.