Twitter recently enticed SMBs, or small and medium-sized businesses, with a blog post showcasing survey results showing how Twitter "followers" are converted into customers for these firms.
Market Probe International, a research firm, conducted the survey for Twitter. The respondents are five hundred people over 18 years of age living in the United States and United Kingdom, and they all follow small and medium-sized businesses at present.
According to the survey, SMBs that have followers on Twitter enjoyed sales increases and endorsements. In particular, 72 percent of people are more likely to buy from an SMB in the future if they have followed or interacted with the business through Twitter.
Furthermore, 82 percent of respondents are more likely to recommend an SMB if they have followed the firm's Twitter account. In addition, 86 percent said they are more likely to go to an SMB if it is recommended by a friend through the social networking site.
Twitter encourages small and medium-sized businesses to use Twitter and turn their followers into customers. (Image: Buy Twitter Followersx (CC) via Flickr)
People follow SMBs on Twitter for the following reasons: 73 percent said they do so to keep posted on upcoming products. Sixty three percent said they do so to show their support for the SMB. Sixty one percent said that they do so to engage with the business, either by sharing ideas or providing feedback.
Twitter also said that followers are not only potential customers but also contribute to word-of-mouth marketing, letting their friends know about an SMB, an increasing the number of customers of that business even more.
Twitter also endorsed the following tips to SMBs on their use of Twitter to enhance their business:
1. Provide special offers that are on hand for Twitter users only. This is a way of thanking your followers.
2. Give followers the chance to share ideas. Reply to their questions and feedback.
3. Use Twitter to offer sneak peeks of your latest products. This will gratify the curiosity of your customers.