Here, I have the top 5 reasons why every business should have a presence on Twitter.

1. Word of mouth, on steroids

How many times have you done business with people you already knew? With Twitter, you can engage with thousands of people, get to know them, and raise awareness of your company and your blog or website. And remember, on Twitter, word spreads faster than anywhere else.

2. Market research

Imagine if you could type something into a search engine, and then listen to thousands of conversations (not websites, conversations) containing that word or phrase. With Twitter, you can do just that. You could search for your own brand, you could search for competitors, emerging markets etc etc etc. Best of all, if you want to, you can join in with the conversation, ask questions and get answers fast. It’s like an instant, free opinion poll.

3. Up your game

By following the right people, you can get the latest industry news before anyone else, and learn new things from other industry professionals around the world. Whether you own a burger van or an international bank, there’s plenty to learn on Twitter.

4. Recruitment

Most recruitment consultants and agencies are using Twitter to post new jobs. Why pay them to do what you can do so easily? Twitter will allow you to source TOP candidates extremely quickly and for free. You can post your vacancy and target that post to get the best possible response. Did I mention it was free?

5. It’s Free!

Consider how much you would normally pay for all of the things listed above. Please, learn more about Twitter, start using it and start saving.

1) Give away advice and knowledge

If you receive something for free, you usually remember who gave it to you. By giving away free advice and knowledge you can build name recognition, part of building your brand. Information has never been easier to broadcast, with blogs, twitter, facebook and other online platforms you can provide potential customers with free useful information. Just make sure they know YOU provided that service.

2) Stand united

This is one of the simplest and most effective ways to market any business. Join forces with local businesses that compliment your service. If you’re a decorator, get to know the local DIY shop, the local carpet supplier etc. Offer discounts to customers for each others service. If you’re doing a print run, market jointly, this way you can share costs, gain bigger exposure, and provide better value and one-stop-shop convenience for your customers.

3) Barter

Nothing talks like money, but when money runs out bartering is the next best thing. If you’re looking for marketing services, why not try and barter for them with your own services or goods. You could offer prizes for competitions on local radio stations, newspapers and magazines. You can also just offer goods or services instead of payment, it’s amazing how often it works and how much you can save.

4) Pull a stunt

If you’re in need of a cheap marketing boost and you’re not afraid to make a fool of yourself (or an employee), pulling a stunt on your local high street can be great for business. Whether it’s a flashmob organised through facebook, or a scantily clad young lady handing out flyers, if you can attract attention, you’ll soon attract business.

5) Social media

No shoestring marketing plan is complete without including social media. Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, YouTube the list goes on. These sites are a great way to build relationships with customers, highlight products and services, gather feedback and leverage viral marketing. It’s a great venue to both market and provide value to customers.