Larissa Jaster Graphic Design Studio|

When I first heard about Twitter I thought it was ridiculous and only used by people to talk about useless things in their lives. I didn’t realize all of the potential for networking and collaboration it had. As a Twitter user, I am now a huge fan! Even huge companies like Amazon, Walmart, Sears, and Dell have discovered why Twitter is Important for Business. Check out ways Twitter can help you and your business. These are focused mainly on the design industry, but can apply to all businesses.

1. Gather Information & Inspiration
With all the design resources on the web, Twitter is a great way to find new information –from blog posts, design conference announcements, product news, or any other form of information you are seeking.

2. Professional Advice & Answers
Twitter is a fantastic place to get great advice. From ways to solve client problems, to fixes with IE6. Often designers have similar experiences, and sometimes just sending out a tweet on how other designers solved a problem might give you the solution you need. Twitter is even great from non-professional advice like “Know of any great places to eat in Cleveland?” Remember to offer your expertise when as well so you can share your wealth of info.

3. Instant Feedback
Working on a new project? Post a link or screen shot and ask for constructive criticism. You will get instant feedback. There is an excellent community of great designers on twitter. Clients will always give you their feedback, but sometimes its nice to hear what other designers have to say about your work so you can know where to improve, or solidify what is working well in a design piece.

4. Learn from the Best
Do you have any design hero’s? People that you look up to or wish you could learn from? Many top designers and agencies from around the world are on twitter. Many post links to blogs, resources, and their work in progress. Follow what they follow and study how they do things and you will be able to learn from the best!

5. Connect and Network
Perhaps you are looking for designer or group in your area? Twitter gives you access to all of these people and you can create many business relationships and find new clients. I have even seen people gain employment through twitter. ’search.twitter.com’ is a great tool for finding things

6. Hire People
Need a good copywriter, illustrator, or programmer? Send out a Tweet asking for recommendations. This is a very quick and easy way to find and hire freelancers or companies.

7. An Endless Supply of Resources
Do you search the web daily, or weekly, looking for the best design articles? Do you peruse the blogs looking for samples, inspiration, or tutorials? Follow the professional bloggers, the big tutorial providers, and the serious designers, and you’ll never have to search the web again. Links to the best design-related information on the web will come pouring in daily to your Twitter account. Save time and be educated!

8. Share Your Ideas
Everyone has different strengths and talents. Share yours! Are you a great writer, great logo designer, or computer nerd? Share your ideas and experiences, and if they are good you may just develop a Twitter following!

9. Use Twitter to Bookmark
There are tons of ways to bookmark links, and Twitter is another option that I like. It has even replaced Delicous for me. You can retweet your favorite links or even mark them as a favorite. It is an easy way to keep track of things you like since you are tweeting anyway. Search for them by keyword when you need them.

10. Monitor and Grow your Business
Twitter is a great way to monitor your business and see what others are saying about you. Use the search feature on Twitter to find out what others are saying about you. You may find positive things, or areas you can improve on. No one talking about you yet? That tells you to do more promoting!

11. Keep up with Industry News
By following big design magazines, software companies or popular design blogs you will most likely be on top of industry news because these people will be talking about it.

12. Self Promotion
Twitter’s social media platform allows you to establish yourself as a social personality where you can be easily approachable. It is a great way to connect and build relationships and get yourself in the limelight. As you build up a following, new users will be drawn towards you and may look to you as an expert.

13. Drive Traffic
Twitter is a fabulous place for self promotion and a great way to drive traffic to your site. Whenever you write a new blog or article, send a link to it on Twitter. Designed a new logo? Post a link to the final artwork on Twitter. This drives traffic to your site and visitors may click on other things once they get there or add comments to your blog. If people like it the link, they will retweet it and may even follow you on Twitter.

14. Get an Overview
Twitter can give you a brief synopsis of events, news, ideas, opinions and feedback because of its 140 character limit. Get just enough information to “be in the know.”

15. Get Sponsors
As you develop a greater following, you may decide to host advertising on your site. Send out a Tweet asking who might be interested in advertising on your site. Maybe you want to hold a contest and need some sponsors for prizes. Ask who might be interested in sponsoring your contest and giving something for free. In return you can give them some great links or your site.

16. Relieve Loneliness
Working as an independent graphic designer from home can get lonely from time to time. Twitter can give a welcome break from work and allow for some human interaction and conversation.

________________________________________________________________________________________

What ways do you use Twitter? How has it helped you?

Follow me on Twitter @ljdesignstudio! I would love to connect!

________________________________________________________________________________________

People to Follow on Twitter:
Social Media Designers on Twitter
100 Designers to Follow on Twitter
16 Genuine, Authentic Designers on Twitter

Other Great Twitter Articles:
Ways You Can Use Twitter for Beginners, Marketers, and Businesses