As a business owner, you’re probably always on the lookout for ways you can get free publicity. This kind of visibility can boost sales and launch you into expert status, two things every business owner dreams of in order to continue making a profit.
While there are multiple ways to get media mentions for your business, there’s one that’s very easy to use: Twitter. Here are some ways that you can use Twitter to get free publicity for your business.
Create Twitter lists of journalists in your niche.
The first step in using Twitter to get free publicity for your business is to organize yourself with Twitter lists. It would be very beneficial to create Twitter lists of journalists in your niche. This helps you find them all in one place.
To create a Twitter list, simply visit a journalists profile and click on the “Settings” button. From there click on “Add to List” where you’ll have the option to create a new list or add the contact to an existing list.
Engage with the journalists.
The best way to start building relationships on Twitter is to engage with people’s content. You can do this by replying, liking or retweeting someone else’s tweet. Often times they’ll end up following you back where they will now be able to see the content that you share on the social media platform.
With time, you may also decide to comment on an article a journalist shares on Twitter. Once a relationship has been established you can begin sending them your own content and possible ideas for future articles. Just note that the key here is that you must be helpful. You must give value to journalists
Just note that the key here is that you must be helpful. You must give value to journalists first if you want them to write about you. One way in which to do that is to respond to any questions the journalists may post on Twitter. For example, many journalists go to Twitter and announce that they are looking for sources to quote. This would be a great time to tweet them in an effort to get some free publicity.
Participate in Twitter chats.
Twitter chats are a great way to make new contacts, show off your expertise and possibly even get some free publicity. You can find Twitter chats by searching for “twitter chat [your niche]” on Google.
During Twitter chats the moderator asks questions and participants answer them. You can follow along with the chat by using the hash tag the organizers use for the event.
Build your following.
One way to boost your expertise and suse Twitter to get free publicity is to build your following. If you have a Twitter following journalists are more inclined to think that you are someone worth quoting and may be encouraged to reach out to you.
You can grow your following organically by following targeted users based on hashtags that are related to your business. You can also engage with their content in the same way you would with journalists. If you don’t have time to do this yourself you can always outsource it.
Final Thoughts
Twitter is a great tool to use if you’re in the market for free publicity. Journalists already hang out there, so it’s up to you to meet them where they’re at and use Twitter to your advantage.
