twitter and blogging

does anyone use twitter and/or blogging as a successful marketing tool?

my company offers a great service designing presentation, and i know there's a huge market out there as, quite simply, most presentations are pretty rubbish! but what's the best way to ourselves 'out there' and known?

i'm looking for some 'background' ways to promote the business (ie apart from the usual direct route, which i also use)

any advice would be great

thank you

Remember it's "social" media. Not "Advertise" here. other than that dive in and give it a go. learn as you go along be honest and credible, add value and all will fall into place.

I use both but social media and blogging take time so are not quick ways of getting business. You need to build up a relationship with the people who are following you on Twitter or reading your blogs. If you use it to hard sell then people will quickly switch off. It's a good way of showing off your expertise and credibility in your field - if you target public speakers on Twitter you may do well - but it is very time consuming!

Valerie's got it spot on, blogging takes time, twitter takes time but they can be very rewarding both in getting new clients, gaining information, getting your website and services out there and also they are enjoyable too.

If you build the time into your working day its not too bad, I'm mostly tied to my mac but for those that are out and about it can be difficult to do, but it very worthwhile in my opinion.

Thanks for feedback on this guys.

Would you say it's something that you need to spend time every day on for it to be worthwhile? Or is it more a weekly thing?

And, being a complete novice to both - how do you get followers?

Hey Pani,

You'll find plenty of discussion about this on the following recent threads:

"Twitter/Networking doesn't work" – http://www.4networking.biz/forum/5/48719.htm

"Facebook, Twitter & blogs" – http://www.4networking.biz/forum/5/49222.htm

"Social media is just a fad..." – http://www.4networking.biz/forum/5/48864.htm

One of the main summaries is: strategy schmategy, just get started, be normal, be regular and be yourself!

Hi Pani,

Check out Presentation Magazine - they like to have contributed top tips as part of their content. Should be a nice easy piece of PR. Do get on social media but look at writing some articles as well, as positioning yourself as an expert in your field in essential in the services industry.

Hi Pani

As long as blogs are regular and relevant they will help raise profile - but not quickly. Try to add value and benefits rather than flogging a service - no one likes being sold to. Demonstrate your expertise and recognise others useful contributions by interacting with them.

Get on twitter - follow @bradburton then just follow all his followers, then - and this is key - post interesting stuff REGULARLY - not just adverts.

Simples.