Did you know that half of Twitter users never listen?  They never check their stream or use it to broadcast.  How do you think people would react to you if you wondered round the streets talking to yourself?  Imagine how many friends you would have if all you ever spoke about was you?  Social Media is SOCIAL and normal rules of engagement apply.  Here are five reasons to listen:

To engage

Twitter is a great place to meet all sorts of people and make connections.  When you listen to what people are saying, you build up better relationships.  Recently a business man told me that the one thing that surprised him since he started using Twitter.  He used to go into first meetings expecting to do a lot of talking and explaining about what he does, but since he has been using social media, more people are signing up for his services straight away!  They feel as though they know him through Twitter, they have been to his website and watched his videos.  All this before he has actually walked through the door.

To hear what people are saying about you

The good, the bad and the ugly.  People are talking about you, hopefully!  If nobody is, do they know about you?  If you are a nice person, most of what people will be saying are nice things about you, your service or your company and it is great to hear compliments.  If there is a problem or a complaint, isn’t better to know about it, so that you can handle it properly?  By responding to comments, queries and complaints in a helpful and professional way, you will end up with a more positive image.

To learn news about your industry and local area

There is so much information out there!  Following some thought-leaders and people in your business will bring an endless source of knowledge into your news stream.  You can’t read everything, of course, but you can learn so much.

To find out if people have expressed a need

People are constantly talking and asking advice.  If you sell a widgets and someone is asking advice about widgets, you would be a fool not to be listening.  I asked for some recommendations of restaurants because I felt like trying something new.  Many people offered advice, but only one restaurant.  I had a look at the menu and it looks yummy and I will be trying it out soon.  I was impressed that they had been paying attention and for their personal touch.  Why weren’t more?

To smile, be amused and inspired

There is so much humour and so many lovely stories on Twitter that I would be incredibly surprised if you couldn’t one thing to make you smile.  It also helps if you follow people who love entertaining others.

I am sure you can think of some more reasons to listen.  Why not add them into the comments?  I would love to hear them.

Other related topics you might be interested in.

Do you listen when you use Social Media?

How to write a Tweet

Is Twitter like Marmite?

Using Social Media for jobs

The Art of Listening

Do you Listen when you are Networking?

Nicky Kriel

Nicky Kriel is a Social Media Coach & Trainer inspiring, educating and empowering Business Owners to use Social Media more strategically. She is also the author of How to Twitter for Business Success. For more information visit http://www.nickykriel.com or to find out about her courses that she runs in Guildford visit http://www.nickykriel.com/courses

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