the better retailing blog
Good Twitter sense
by Technology Corner on 23 December, 2009
Last week, we began a look at how Twitter is revolutionising marketing for small and large businesses. This week we take a closer look at how two retailers are making the most of the service.
Retailer Christine Hope (right in picture), of Post Office Hopes of Longtown, uses Twitter to remind her customers why they need her: ‘For those expecting snow! Open ‘til 7pm tonight. Coal, de-icer, cake & red wine!’ The ability to keep direct contact with your customers, wherever they are, is surely invaluable for getting across direct marketing messages. Christine currently has 576 followers, and as Twitter is accessed by many on the move using smartphones, this means she can reach them all wherever they may be.
Twitter is also fantastic for highlighting issues that retailers, such as Debbie Corris (left in picture) from Whitstable, face. This includes tobacco smuggling, small business regulations, as well of course as day-to-day issues facing local people – the weather being a big topic recently; ‘Feeling really bad for the hundreds of lorry drivers stranded in Kent because of the Chunnel… Bet they’re so fed up!’
There are some really great opportunities for retailers using Twitter. Imagine, next time the news wholesalers deliver late, being able to tell all of your customers about the delay with the simple click of a button. Or perhaps, running a promotion encouraging your customers to be the first to send you a message through Twitter that would entitle them to 25% off of their next purchase in-store. This would encourage customers to be closely engaged with your Twitter page, and therefore with your business.
You don’t necessarily need to be on Twitter: but what harm could it do?
