Twitter has become a marketing gold mine for companies across the globe.  It makes companies, their brands and philosophies more accessible to loyalists and potential consumers.  In an effort to become more savvy with social media,wedding planners have become enthralled with the concept. When you think about it, it’s quite genius.

Twitter allows potential brides to (but not limited to):

• Get to know you and your brand on a different level
• Find out about company news, press, specials
• Stay up-to-date with blog posts

But with all the good, there must be some bad—and unfortunately, it runs rampant in our industry.  Instead of building relationships and sharing, there are some unfortunate souls who make it a chore to follow them.  As wedding planners, we  work at such a personal level with our clients, that it is important to maintain a sense of propriety that is reflective of our brands and service to them.

That being said:

• Avoid using twitter as your company’s personal RSS feed. Don’t think if you constant talk (broadcast, really) about your business, headlines and deals that you’ll get a throng of customers to follow.  People like connecting with people, not egos.  Throw a bone to people.  What was your coffee order?
• Seriously– do not twitter about your clients, their family and friends or their choices. If you want a quick way to destroy the trust factor with potential or current clients.  No one wants to feel as if their wedding, drama, etc. is being put on display for someone else’s benefit or amusement.
• Also, don’t complain about vendors. If something is wrong, awry or not to your liking, Twitter is the last place this should be discussed.  Current vendors feel threatened and potential vendors won’t touch you with a long handled spoon.
• You protect your updates.  This goes back to the point I previously made about trust.  You do not want clients to feel as if there is a barrier between the two of you or that you are talking about them behind that barrier.  If people have to ask your permission to see what you’re talking about or interact with you, you’ve missed the point. Turn off the computer. Try again tomorrow.
• Conflicting messages. If your tweets conflict with your brand,  don’t tweet under your company name. Open a private account.
• You talk, talk, talk, but don’t listen. And vice versa. Twitter has sparked many a great conversation—but conversations only work well when both people are talking and listening.

Here are two great posts on social media and Twitter.  Check them out.

http://www.thesocialpath.com/2009/05/seven-deadly-sins.html

http://www.chrisbrogan.com/50-ideas-on-using-twitter-for-business/

How has Twitter helped you?