Let’s face it, Twitter is a worldwide phenomenon. As of this date TwitDir a twitter directory, indicates they have indexed over 3.3 million users, and as large a number as that is, they admit it isn’t an accurate accounting. New tweeple are signing up at a rate that is hard to keep up with.
So, here you are — a small business owner, a church, a nonprofit, or someone who has a need to reach a local community, having heard that twitter is a highly-effective, utterly affordable marketing tool but knowing that communicating with folks in Timbuktu really isn’t going to help you too much. Well, fear not. Twitter Fools has you covered. Here are 3 tips to help you find and engage local tweeple.
Find, Follow, Engage Local Tweeple
- Register your twitter account on Twellow. Consider this the double-mint of tips – two, two tips in one. First, think of Twellow as the twitter yellow pages – go there today and request your very own FREE Twellow profile. If you’ve been on twitter for a while you may find they’ve already started a profile for you. However, Twellow provides a bit more room than Twitter allowing you to create a well-rounded profile. Now that you are registered, sign in and surf over the their “Twellowhood” tab. You can use this interface to drill down to your local area to identify and easily follow tweeple in your town, county, or region.
- Check out TwitterLocal. Sometimes just identifying local tweeple isn’t enough. In some cases you want to evaluate and assess the folks in your area and find those who meet whatever criteria you may set. TwitterLocal is an Adobe Air application that provides a geo-targetted twitter feed. It is a quick download and, once installed you simply enter your town and state [or just a zip code] and search radius and before you know it you have a local twitter feed. You can see who is active, what they tweet about, and learn alittle about their twitter characteristics. TwitterLocal doesn’t include a follow feature [a failing in our minds] but the ability to find and evaluate local tweeple is sometimes most beneficial.
- Visit Nearby Tweets. This web-based interface is designed to help you get local with your follow habits…granular even. Simply enter a street address, town, or county name, indicate a search radius and hit enter. Local tweeps based on your search parameters are served up in a jiffy. If you are signed into your twitter account, clicking on an avatar in Nearby Tweets will open the user’s profile in a separate window so you can learn a little more and make your follow decision.
These simple tips will help you find and follow your local tweeple. Stay tuned for follow up tips on how small businesses can actively engage and market to your local throng. For now…get out there and follow.
If you have any suggestions for locating, evaluating and following local tweeple let us know using the comment form below. We’ll feature user submitted tips in our regular emails to our friends. Why not sign up yourself. Get on our twitter tips list here.
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