If you have a small business and you aren’t using Twitter, hopefully this blog will help you realize why you need to set up an account today! Anyone that has the internet or even a cell phone these days uses it! Twitter is a free service that allows anyone to say almost anything to anybody in 140 characters or less. It’s the “what are you doing right now” kind of micro-blogging that makes you a part of online social communication.

You could say that it’s a stupid application, that no business gets done there, but there are too many of us that can disagree and point out business value. Here are the Top 7 reasons why you should use Twitter for your business.

Your business should have Twitter because:

7) Everyone else is doing it.

Your neighborhood convenience store owner is using it, the flower shop down the street, and even your landscaper. Even big corporations like Dell, HP, AT&T and Microsoft. Having your business on Twitter is the thing to do!

6) Twitter is good optics.

Using Twitter is evidence that your small business is hip to the social media craze. Although having a website is a good tool, it just doesn’t seem like that’s enough anymore.

5) Twitter is a fast way to get the message out.

You can let potential or existing customers know what’s going on with your business, whether it be a new product or a deal that your company is offering.

4) Twitter will help you stay on top of your industry and/or market segment.

Twitter lets you hear what other people are saying. Using Twitter Search you can find out what people are saying about a particular topic, that way you stay aware about your company and the competition.

3) Twitter will help you refine your brand.

By participating in Twitter, by communicating and not just spamming advertisements for your business, you can present and develop the kind of image that attracts your potential customers, and refine your brand.

2) Twitter is a great networking tool.

Being on Twitter will give you the opportunity to talk to people that you would never get the chance to in everyday life. And some of those people might be the very business contacts you’ve been seeking, people you want to start projects with, source product from or even hire.

1) And the most important reason your small business should use Twitter – because Twitter lets you engage your customers.

Posting information about your products and/or services is the obvious use. But Twitter also gives you a tool to listen and found out about your customers – what they like or dislike about your company, how they feel about your brand, what suggestions they have for improvement, what their favorite products are and why. This will make your business more successful, feedback from current customers or even potential customers.

You will want to make sure, though, that you’re following the Twitter promotion rules for small businesses. If you don’t use Twitter properly, you can end up being seen as a spammer and damaging your small business’ reputation.