Six free ways to target your ideal customer on Twitter

By Keith Gilabert

In today’s environment you need to know how to utilize the resources available to you.  For example 90% of all new restaurants go out of business within 5 years.  The primary reason is lack of focus and poor location.  But there is a way to increase your odds of succeeding and that is by targeting social media.

The business world is buzzing with talk of Twitter’s highly anticipated initial public offering (IPO) set to take place this week, giving the company a value of more than $14 billion.  Since its launch in 2006, Twitter has made communicating in 140 characters or less a way of life for consumers and helping businesses increase their sales.

Dell is one of companythat has stated that Twitter added $6.5 million in sales.

For some small business owners using the micro-blogging site to reach the consumers most likely to purchase can be both confounding and arduous. If you own a coffee shop, how do you find the Starbuck customers you want to win over in your area? Wouldn’t it be great if you could get an alert each time someone tweets about a product you sell or service you provide?

Restaurant owner Eduardo Torres, of Sip restaurant in South Miami has turned to Twitter to help bring in customers. 

“Social media in general is great for generating exposure,” Torres said. “When we opened we wanted to focus on Twitter to see what kind of success we would have with it as a way to get people to come and visit the restaurant.” Torres launched his Twitter account two months ago, and with just 18 followers so far, he’s determined to stick with it. “We are going to continue to invest resources into social media, particularly Facebook and Twitter,” said Torres. “If you have a business, I don’t think you can afford not to use social media to promote it.” Torres, like many business owners, wasn’t particularly social media savvy when he opened his restaurant earlier this year. “I ended up getting someone do it forme,” Torres said. “It was a lot of work and if you’re the owner of a business, you don’t necessarily have the time to do it on top of everything else.” If you’re a busy business owner with little time to focus on social media, you’re in luck! Here are five free tools that will help you capture the attention of your ideal customer on Twitter. 

 1.  JUST TWEET IT

This free tool is essentially an online directory of Twitter users organized by areas of interest. There are multiple categories that range from fashion and food to gaming and music. Take a minute and browse through the categories that relate to your business. Be sure to list your company on the site as well by registering a free account. Get more information: http://justtweetit.com .

2.  TWEETERSPY

This insightful free tool is unique. It lets you know which tweets from other people are bringing you the most traffic.

You’ll be able to instantly see which Twitter users are most interested in your product or service. Then you can develop a plan to begin actively engaging with them.

To find out more, go online to http://tweeterspy.com .

            3.  NEARBY TWEETS

How do your target customers on Twitter? What about finding out who is tweeting near you in real-time? Nearby Tweets makes it possible for you to do both! Simply log on to the Website: http://nearbytweets.com  and it will automatically determine where you are and generate a list of Twitter users and their recent tweets within a certain geographic radius. Nearby Tweets lets you change your location, specify the radius and add keywords to make targeting even easier.

        4.  TWITTER LISTS

As you follow more people, it can be challenging to focus on the information coming from specific people and groups.  That’s where Twiller Lists come in.  A list allows you to separate Twitter accounts you follow into groups.  You can create lists for; customers, potential customers, community businesses and people you talk to most.

      5.  TWEET BEEP

Described as Google Alerts for Twitter, Tweet Beep is a free tool that lets you receive hourly updates via e-mail about Twitter conversations that mention your company, its product or any keyword of interest. The service offers a paid option where for $20/month you can receive alerts every 15 minutes. Check it out: http://tweetbeep.com .

         6.  TOPSY

Topsy.com is a Twitter search engine that let’s you see if anyone listens or cares.  You get to see how effective your marketing campaign has been within the last hour, day or week.  It’s important to hit your target market and not just blast noise to your followers.

For more free ways to target customers on Twitter, visit the Hedge FundEconomics.

Keith Gilabert, "Market Your Business for Free on Facebook"

I get a lot of requests on how to capitalize on social media trends.  The most powerful tool available to a business regardless of its size is Facebook.com.  There is no other medium that exists right now that captures the attention of its users like Facebook.  According to Facebook data, people spend more than 700 billion minutes per month on their platform.  The only other platform that captures more time is television but it lacks the ability for the user to control the content.  The interface that Facebook creates for the user is custom and much more appealing than tradition television because the content is made up of user experiences.

Social media, especially Facebook has replaced many forms of marketing.  The best endorsement of a product or service is from friends and family.  And if you want to connect with these customers its important to have them increase time with your brand.  Therefore, it's essential that your company configure a Facebook page and develop a corresponding plan.

3-Steps to Setting Up Your Facebook Page.

1.  Design Your Facebook Page

As with any marketing plan it is vital for you to define your goals, and develop a step by step approach on how you are going to obtain these goals. 

2.  Make the Page Easy to Navigate

When you start a Facebook page for your business, your page will have a standard set of tabs.  You can create custom tabs in order to guide the customer to your target product or promotion.  For example, you can set up a "Welcome" tab and within that category you can have promotions such as coupons and also other links.

3.  Facebook Insights

Facebook Insights is an analytical tool that tracks usage and interactions with your Facebook Page.  Its available free and it is very useful to determine which campaign is most effective.  Once you see the data you can adjust the Page to optimize user interactions.

Marketing Your Business for Free on  Facebook

1.  Give People a Reason to Become "Fans"

Get your visitors to "like" your page by offering something of value, such as a coupon or a freebie to a new item you are promoting. The more "likes" you get the higher your page will rank.  Also when one of your customers becomes a fan of your page, your brand page's profile photo will be displayed on their Facebook wall.  This strategy not only creates brand value but also gives your customer something of value.

2.  Get Your Customers to "Check-in"

When you get the customer to "Check-in" it shows up on their timeline and everyone of their friends will see it.  This is a great opportunity to get the word out on how amazing your product or service is.  I saw a company MilkShade Mania of Valencia, CA ( https://www.facebook.com/milkshakemaniascv) do this and they have had great success because not only do they have a great product but they also stay in the minds of their customer's friends and family every time someone checks-in.  Milkshake Mania offers anyone that "Checks-in" a discount on the most amazing milkshakes.  Not only do I go and check-in but in return I get to enjoy a great product with a 10% discount.

**Note  the average Facebook user has 190 Friends.  That is 190 people that will have contact with your company**  

3.  Include Pictures in your Facebook updates

Facebook is a picture economy, so just about every update should have a picture included.  Whether it's your staff, customers or products include pictures.

4.  Celebrate Milestones with your customers

Whenever you have something that is special with your business, post it.  It could be the 1 year anniversary of your business or simply an employee birthday.  Post it and share it.

5.  Post the Specials on Friday 

Facebook has a Happiness Index that shows a 10% spike on Fridays.  As a business you use this a marketing strategy.  Once a month, on a Friday of course, give your fans something special.  Offer a buy one get one free or 20% off your bill.  This will build your brand and build customer loyalty.

About Keith

Bentley-Lorze provides expert services to clients in state government, local school districts, and the private sector in the areas of public education and school finance. Bentley-Lorze focuses on the issues that matter most such as health, education, international affairs, global markets and the environment. With a research resources and staff consisting of some of the world's preeminent minds, Bentley has been resolving social and economic problems. As a nonpartisan, Pro bono organization, Bentley is widely respected for operating independent of political and commercial pressures. Bentley-Lorze Institute focuses on the issues that matter most such as health, education, international affairs, global markets and the environment. With a research staff consisting of some of the world's preeminent minds, Bentley has been resolving social and economic problems. Keith Gilabert Charitable Trust (www.keithgilabert.org) was established to educate the domestic & international community by protecting those that cannot defend themselves and helping the helpless. Keith Gilabert has been featured by Forbes, ABC News, CNBC, The Wall St. Journal, NBC News, and Fox News.

Keith Gilabert, "Annual Appeal for a Great Cause"

Keith Gilabert, "Employing the right people"

By Keith Gilabert

As a public policy director I examine the hiring practices of private and as well as government employment procedures.  The number #1 issue for employers is hiring trustworthy individuals that will not compromise the company's brand.

Employment screening and evaluating potential and current employees can save a company thousands of dollars.  The most effective approach involves developing an assessment system that helps evaluate candidates by measuring their potential success on the job against industry benchmarked performance.  The profile options I consider are experience in sales, customer service, and ability to problem solve.  By using these simple parameters you can have an in-depth analysis of candidates, so you can make more educated hiring decisions and create the strongest, highest performing team for your company.   

Of course, you do not want to hire an axe-murderer so please check sites below.

Enjoy!

Here is a list of low cost background check sites:

US Search

PeopleSmart

PeopleFinders

BackgroundPi

IDentityPi

KnowX

Easy Background Checks

Background checks

KEITHGILABERT.NET: Keith Gilabert, "Support Donors Choose.org"

In the coming weeks, we will help Moore teachers create classroom recovery projects for critical supplies such as clothing, food, books, therapy resources and classroom furniture. These teachers know best what their students need, and we can empower them to rebuild their classrooms. 

Donate to our recovery fund and your contribution will go directly to teachers in Moore, Oklahoma.

Thank you,

Charles Best

Founder, DonorsChoose.org

P.S. Thanks to your support, we've helped to rebuild hundreds of classrooms in the wake of natural disasters. To see what kinds of projects Moore teachers are likely to create, visit DonorsChoose.org/Joplin and DonorsChoose.org/Sandy.  

KEITHGILABERT.NET: Keith Gilabert, "Support Donors Choose.org"

Truth About Justin Paperny of Etika LLC

“Justin Paperny teaching a course on Ethics is as ironic as Adolf Hitler teaching a course on Tolerance at the Simon Wiesenthal Center, Paperny is a fraud and he deserves his station in life.”

Justin Paperny who is now a Prison Consultant and lectures on his fraudulent schemes has had a troubling career as a stockbroker. Over a 4-year period, Paperny was fired by 2 major Wall Street Firms for broker misconduct which eventually led to his arrest and conviction in 2007 for Securities Fraud. 

Read more 

Ann Logue's Article removed due to Credibility Issues

About Keith Gilabert

Keith Gilabert was born in Hollywood, California. His mother has ancestry from Barcelona, Spain and his father is French-Italian.   When he was two years old, his parents moved from Hollywood, CA  where his father worked for General Motors and moved to Saugus, CA.  Gilabert was brought up as a Catholic and served as an Alter boy at Saint Clare’s Catholic Church.  He attended Saugus high school in Santa Clarita, CA.  He went on to attend San Diego State University as Political Science Major and later changed to Finance and Accounting.  

Keith Gilabert - Smile Train

Letter From Priscilla Ma, Executive Director Smile Train

January 14, 2013

Dear Keith,

It's hard to believe that 2013 is already well underway! It seems like just yesterday I sat down with our team and planned our initiatives for 2012.

I hope that the new year is off to an amazing start for you and your family.

Here at Smile Train, we're starting 2013 coming off of a record-setting year.

In 2012, we provided more than 125,000 free cleft surgeries! That's over 340 surgeries a day — more than we have ever provided before.

Each one a modern-day miracle and a second chance at life. Each one a direct result of your support.

From all of us here at Smile Train and the children that we serve, thank you from the bottom of my heart.

If you have a moment, I'd like to share a short thank you video from our staff.

With your continued support, we can reach even more children suffering with unrepaired clefts in 2013.

Thank you once again and Happy New Year!

Priscilla Ma
Executive Director

Note from Keith Gilabert:

"This is a great organization and I think they are doing a tremendous job."

Keith Gilabert

About Keith Gilabert

Keith Gilabert was born in Hollywood, California. His mother has ancestry from Barcelona, Spain and his father is French-Italian.   When he was two years old, his parents moved from Hollywood, CA  where his father worked for General Motors and moved to Saugus, CA.  Gilabert was brought up as a Catholic and served as an Alter boy at Saint Clare’s Catholic Church.  He attended Saugus high school in Santa Clarita, CA.  He went on to attend San Diego State University as Political Science Major and later changed to Finance and Accounting.