Hopefully you’ve already read last week’s post “Twitter 101 and Your Wedding Business” to help you learn if having a brand presence on Twitter is right for you. Now that we’ve covered some basics, we want to share with you the scoop on where you may be able to find opportunities and successes in this form of social media. So without further delay, here are the 7 Benefits of Using Twitter for Business:

1. Branding: Just as you would in-person, dress to impress on your Twitter account page. It’s important to use your Twitter background, avatar, profile bio, tweets, and overall tone of voice on Twitter to further reinforce your brand and compliment your other marketing efforts. Your Twitter represents your company so make sure it’s sending the right message.

“Twitter is much more personal than tools like LinkedIn, where you basically spread out your entire professional life for someone to see on one page. Twitter requires ongoing participation and rewards it by allowing you to get to know people over time – not just as a representative of some company but as a real person with real interests including and beyond their work.” – Debbie Campbell (@redkitedesign), web designer and owner of Red Kite Design

2. Networking: Meet and stay in touch with colleagues, both locally and globally, who share your niche market or trade. Twitter integration at conferences and workshops is becoming the norm using hashtags (#) to create relevant feeds and creating Twibes (translation: Twitter tribes) to help you connect with others. So next time you’re at a networking event, be ready to swap Twitter user names as you mix and mingle in-person.

“Build your network before you need it. I see a lot of authors getting onto Twitter the day before their book launches, or companies getting on the week before a new product comes out. Sorry to say, but you’re a little late. Yes, Twitter can be useful the first day you use it, but it’s going to be a lot more useful a year after you’ve been using it. The more you can invest in building your network before you need to get something out of it, the better.” – Darren Rowse (@problogger), a full-time blogger who’s been making a living from the medium since 2004

3. Drive Traffic: Consider it a must to include a link to your website or blog to bring your audience on Twitter (your followers) to your “homebase.” Not doing so is a missed opportunity. In addition, an incomplete profile is a signal to Twitter users of spammers and you don’t want that.

“The most important aspect of Twitter Marketing is to gain followers. Not just any follower you can get your hands on but quality followers who will value your content and what you have to offer. The first step is to monitor the Twitter feeds. Next, you can find people in your industry/niche and follow them. Follow their followers and so on.” – Jonathan Thomas (@jonathanwthomas), British blogger and SEO expert at Imagination Publishing

4. Water Cooler: Twitter is a virtual water cooler where conversations with customers and clients can happen (in 140 characters or less) through tweets and re-tweets (aka RT, translation: re-posting someone else’s tweet). It’s an opportunity to be available to respond to immediate needs of your audience and provide memorable customer service.

“Don’t be afraid to provide customer service through Twitter as long as you offer exceptional service. It’ll give you top of mind in your customer’s eyes and their followers will see your interactions (depending on the structure of the tweet). The worst thing you can do is treat Twitter like a billboard and incessantly spew garbage about this promotion and that sale.” – Jason Drohn (@jasondrohn), business consultant and social media marketing strategist

5. Build Relationships: Following others on Twitter can help bridge the gap of time in between meetings or conferences. Staying connected and up-to-date with the people your network gives you a conversation-starter next time you meet face-to-face. Most Twitter users are looking for people with common interests or those who are local. While you may develop online relationships with people around the globe, don’t neglect your backyard. Fostering mutually-beneficial relationships with those in your area can be a wealth of opportunity.

“Value and honor every relationship possible. Twitter is about relationships. It’s about small communities, ideas bouncing around. You’re there to help everyone possible. You’re there to be of service. Get it? You have to help people. Let’s get specific: be of maximum service to 100 people at and around your level. Get to know them. Go out of your way to help. For free.” – Chris Johnson (@genuinechris), entrepreneur and Guerrilla.me blogger

6. Research Tool: Asking a simple question of your followers can be useful research and it helps invite conversation with your audience. In a matter of minutes, you may get personal responses on Twitter in a way that other, perhaps more formal, survey research would not.

“Be a good conversationalist. When you go to a party, when you go to a conference networking event, we are drawn to people who are relevant, who are interactive, who are not just talking at us, who are useful, who are engaging, who are like us. Listen to what others are saying on Twitter.” – Darren Rowse (@problogger)

7. Humanizer: While your website may seem faceless, Twitter can have a humanizing effect for your business. Try to avoid appearing like a robot. Sure, import your blog feed to auto-post on Twitter and schedule a tweet now and then, but make sure your followers know you’re a human.

“Concentrate on showing that there’s a real person and a soulful organization behind the Twitter username and get into conversations with your followers!” – Sara Rosso (@rosso), digital strategist and blogger at When I Have Time, “bridging the gap between the Meek and the Geek”

Remember, you can follow Dallas Wedding Planner (@BigDweddings) on Twitter and let us know how you’re using Twitter to promote your wedding business. Tell us about any successes or mistakes you’ve discovered in the comments below. We’d love to hear from you.