I’ve been using Twitter since December 2008…You can find me here @TimboReid

I use it to share my marketing tips and tricks with small businesses and charities.

I try to stay on brief...’cause I think that’s important…but every now and then I’ll let my precious Followers know what I’m eating or how I’m feeling. Afterall, it’s a social —-> media, right?!

But it’s also a channel to market…and don’t let anyone tell you it’s not. In the past three months, I’ve gained over $3,000 in business directly from Twitter…from Followers who’ve watched me, read me, RT’d me and PM’d me…they then developed enough trust in me to give me some work.

How great is that…marketing cost $0! Well, not if you factor in my hours spent tweeting…but I’m not going to do that because in using Twitter I’ve also built a valuable asset…a database of nearly 2,000 Followers. “How’s that an asset?” I hear you ask. Well, those Followers:

1. Share valuable information with me.
2. Point me in the direction of websites and businesses and people that can help me with my business.
3. Answers questions.
4. Act as a quick poll.
5. Sell on my behalf.

Now that’s what I call an asset. Could I sell it? Probably not…Can I make it work for me…oh yeah! I see no reason why the rate of work I get from Twitter increases in direct relationship to my following.

So, whenever someone tells you that you’re wasting time twittering…just agree…then walk away rubbing your hands together and quietly laughing “Muwahahahaaha!”

Tell me, how are you using Twitter to add value to your business? Have you made any money from it?

You have that big box of business cards, fresh from the printer, there on your desk…Now, what next?

Business cards are an inexpensive marketing tool, but they are only useful when they are out of your hands and into the hands of others.

Always carry a supply of cards with you, wherever you go. You never know when you will have an opportunity to give one to someone who may become a customer, or who knows someone who may become a customer. Having cards in your pocket or purse means that you will never miss out on a chance to promote yourself.

Start with the following seven suggestions on getting the most out of your business cards, and always look for more ways to get your cards to people who may become your customers.

Hand out cards at networking events, and anywhere you meet potential customers. When you make a sales call, give a card to your contact. Give one to the receptionist when you arrive for an appointment, so they can refer to it when announcing you

Provide a supply of cards to customers and associates who are in a position to refer others to you. It will be easier for them to do if you make sure they always have lots of your cards on hand.

Drop two cards in every envelope you send out. Whether you’re sending sales letters to prospects, invoices to clients, or a cheque to a supplier, include your business card. You never know who will open the envelope and find your cards.

Add your cards to card displays at local businesses. My Butcher allows customers to put a stack of business cards on the counter. Some simply place a few cards on the shelf, others supply a cardholder to display them upright and keep them neatly organized. I have also seen bulletin boards and card holders at a number of other businesses. Whenever you see a place that allows you to add your cards, do so.

Include a few business cards in your media kit. Sending cards when you send media releases or full media kits means the media outlet can easily give your contact information to multiple staff members who may be working on stories in your field.

When a radio station schedules an interview with you and requests your media kit, be sure to ask them to share your card with their receptionist. That way, the person who answers the phone will be able to pass your contact information to anyone who calls the station after hearing your interview.

When you see articles that may be of interest to your customers, send a copy with your business card attached.

The bottom line…Don’t hoard your business cards. Give them out freely. In fact, set yourself a goal of ensuring that you run out of them within a certain amount of time.