Want to give Twitter a go? 10 Tips for CEOs on Twitter

More and more businesses are using Twitter everyday and Twitter is making it easier for businesses too (read here).

And while we are all becoming a bit punch drunk with the endless social media stats, the number of Twitter users logging in every month is up by 82% since the beginning of the year (for more..)

The average CEO works very long days and taking precious moments out of may seem unrealistic. However, we recommend that CEOs join at least one social media channel (LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter, etc) and listen to what their employees/customers/other stakeholders are saying.

Twitter is now a contender for that:

1. Many of your employees will already be using Twitter.
2. It’s now longer cool with your colleagues to be ‘above it’. Instead it’s cool to be doing it.
3. It’s easy and fun for the right type of person.
4. It may be a valuable tool for your business.
5. The longer you wait to join social media, the more ‘behind’ you become.

Are you the right person? Well if you are not too serious, are quick with your fingers, can take short breaks between meetings, enjoy following daily happenings, like following sports people, journalists, politicians and a host of other sectors for which Twitter is ‘home’, and like short sharp (140 character) exchanges – perhaps.

Worth a try? Here are 10 tips for CEOs starting out on Twitter.

1. You can learn as you go.
2. Follow a few interesting people to start with. Twitter is first about reading what people are writing – it’s that easy. Just watch.
3. Then engage when you are ready.
4. Be honest and likeable. Always courteous.
5. Don’t push product.
6. Answer questions.
7. Ask questions.
8. Find the right balance between too little and too much.
9. Be patient.
10. Have fun with it.