How X (Formerly Known as Twitter) Can Transform Your Business

Step into the dynamic world of X, a bustling hub with a staggering 436 million active monthly users [1] – yes, you read that right!

For you, the ambitious small or medium-sized business owner eager to harness this platform's boundless potential, your quest to understand this noteworthy social media platform ends here. This is your comprehensive guide to navigating the Twitter-sphere and skyrocketing your business.

Ready to embark on this journey as we conquer the realm of  X together?

Setting up your X business account

Now that you know what X for business is, let's talk about how to set up your account. It's just a few simple steps:

• Step 1: Go to X.com/signup
• Step 2: Click the "Sign Up" button.
• Step 3: A "Create your account" pop-up box will appear, guiding you through the sign-up process. You'll be prompted to provide your name and either your phone number or email address.
• Step 4: If you provided an email address during sign-up, you will receive an email immediately with instructions to verify your email address.
• Step 5: If you provided a phone number during sign-up, you will receive a text message immediately with a verification code for your number.
• Step 6: After entering your information, click "Next."
• Step 7: In the "Customize your experience" pop-up box, you can choose whether you want to track where you see X content across the web. Once you've made your selection, click "Next."

The X Advantage for Your Business

Now that we've covered what X for business is and how to set it up, let's dive into the exciting benefits that await you. And guess what? These benefits aren't just talk. They're backed by some impressive stats.

X users are 36% more likely to be the first to try new things. So, if you're ready to embrace innovation, you're in good company. They're also 2x more likely to have made an in-app purchase. That's a big win for your business if you want to boost online sales.

And here's the kicker – X users are 38% more likely to have downloaded an app directly from an online ad. That means your app promotions have a higher chance of success [1].

Tips from small businesses on how to grow your followers

Small businesses have aced leveraging X for maximum impact. Now, it's time to learn from their real-world experiences and discover the insider tips and tricks to help you make the most of this powerful platform. Let's tap into their wisdom and get inspired to supercharge your X strategy!

Tip 1. Craft engaging tweets: grabbing attention in 280 characters

In the fast-paced world of X, crafting tweets that captivate your audience is the name of the game. With just 280 characters, each word should pack a punch. Here are some tips to create tweets that stand out:

• Start with a hook: Begin your tweet with an attention-grabbing hook or a thought-provoking question. You want to stop the scrolling thumbs of your audience in their tracks.

• Keep it snappy: X's character limit means you have to be concise. Make every word count by getting straight to the point.

• Use Hashtags sparingly: While hashtags can boost discoverability, don't overdo it. Limit yourself to one or two relevant hashtags that enhance your tweet. 

• Encourage interaction: Engage your audience by posing questions, conducting polls, or running contests. Encouraging interaction is a great way to boost engagement.

• Be timely: Stay updated with current events and trending topics. Timing your tweets correctly can give them a boost in visibility.

• Share value: Provide valuable content, whether it's tips, insights, or entertaining stories. Your audience should find your tweets informative or enjoyable.

• Be authentic: Let your brand's personality shine through. Don't be afraid to show some humor or authenticity in your tweets.

Tip 2. Post consistently: The secret sauce to X's success

When your followers know they can rely on your regular updates, you build trust and maintain their engagement. Here's how to master the art of posting consistently:

• Create a posting schedule: Developing a clear schedule is your foundation for consistency. Decide how often you'll tweet and stick to it. Whether it's daily, several times a day, or on specific days of the week, consistency is key.

• Mix up your content: Keep your audience engaged by offering various content. Share your latest promotions, but don't forget to sprinkle in industry insights, helpful tips, or entertaining content to keep things fresh.

• Time it right: The timing of your tweets can impact their reach. Research when your target audience is most active on X, and schedule your posts accordingly.

• Use scheduling tools: Use social media management tools to schedule your tweets in advance. This way, you can maintain your posting schedule even during busy days.

• Monitor analytics: Keep a close eye on X analytics to see which posts perform best. This data can guide your content strategy, allowing you to refine and improve your posting consistency.

Tip 3. Leverage visual content: Tell your story with eye-catching images and videos

Visual content can be the key to capturing your audience's attention and conveying your message effectively. Here's how to make the most of it:

• Eye-catching images: Get your hands on striking images to dazzle your audience. Whether it's flaunting your latest products, unveiling the team behind the scenes, or showcasing your customers' success stories, visuals are your showstoppers.

• Engaging videos: Videos are king on X. Use themto introduce your brand, explain your offerings, feature customer testimonials, or give quick how-to demos. Keep themsnappy, engaging, and right on target.

• Infographics: Infographics are like visual magic wands. They make data and complex info look cool and understandable. Educate your audience in style.

• Consistent branding: Make sure your visual content rocks your signature look. Use the same colors, fonts, and design flair to ensure your brand is always recognized.

• Use GIFs: Animated GIFs are your dynamite! They add a dash of fun and motion to your tweets. Perfect for quick demos or expressing all the feels.

• Mobile optimization: Remember, many X users are engaging on mobile. So, ensure your visual content loads quick and looks fab on those tiny screens.

Tip 4. Run X ads: Boost your reach and engagement

Okay, buckle up because we're going to discuss X ads! Think of them as your turbo boosters to take your tweets to the next level. Here's the lowdown on how to make the most of X ads:

• Clear objectives: First things first, set clear objectives for your ad campaign. What do you want to achieve? More followers, website clicks, or customers? Define your goals.

• Targeting magic: X ads let you be a magician with your targeting. You can reach specific demographics, interests, locations, and even people who have engaged with your tweets.

• Compelling ad copy: Craft ad copy that grabs attention and drives action. Make it short, snappy, and crystal clear. Tell your audience why they need to click!

• Engaging visuals: Pair your ad copy with eye-catching visuals. Images and videos that tell a story or showcase your product work like a charm.

• Budget control: You're the boss of your budget. You can set daily or total budget limits, making X ads work for businesses of all sizes.

• Monitor and optimize: Keep an eagle eye on your ad's performance. X analytics can tell you what's working and what needs a tweak. Experiment and fine-tune for better results.

• Test different formats: X offers various ad formats – from promoted tweets to promoted accounts. Experiment with different formats to see which one clicks with your audience.

Tip 5. Partner with influencers: Your X VIP pass

Now we're diving into a tip that's like getting a VIP pass to the X party – partnering with influencers. These folks are like your marketing sidekicks, and they can take your brand to new heights. Let's break it down: 

• Find the perfect fit: First, you've got to find influencers who vibe with your brand and audience. Look for collaborators that can really understand t what you're all about.

• Build real connections: It's not just business. It's about making friends! Engage with influencers, chat, and build real relationships. You want them to be as excited about your brand as you are.

• Create awesome stuff together: Get your creative hats on and make content your audience will love – a dazzling product review, a takeover, or a joint campaign.

• Boost your reach: Influencers have their own fan clubs. Partnering with them opens the door to a whole new group of potential followers. Your brand will be in the spotlight!

• Measure the magic: Keep an eye on the numbers. X analytics is your crystal ball. Check what's working, from engagement to new followers.

• Get It in writing: When you're in cahoots with influencers, make sure the rules are clear. Contracts, deliverables, and payment – it's all got to be in black and white.

Some of our favourite brands on X

#1 Innocent drinks

We've been big fans of Innocent Drinks' super cute branding game for ages. Even though they're all about smoothies and juice, they're not in your face about it. Most of their social media isn't even about drinks – it's about being silly, fun, clever, and creative.

Their Community Manager, Helena Langdon, spilled the beans to Audiense, saying, "We want to tell people about us in the most engaging way we can. It’s our goal to make our pages a place on social media where people want to visit and enjoy seeing in their timelines, then people won’t mind when we try to sell them drinks every now and again!" They're all about making social media a place you want to hang out, and if a drink offer pops up now and then, it's just part of the fun.

#2 Ryanair

Ryanair's Twitter game is on point with an incredible 1.5 million followers, and you wanna know their secret? A sassy sense of humor that totally vibes with their younger crowd. They're not shy about diving into the whole 'Karen' trend, proving they're all about that unapologetically unconventional life, especially when it comes to customer service.

What makes them stand out is their no-nonsense, straight-talking approach. They're not singing the old tune of 'customer is always right.' Nope. Ryanair's owning up to being one of the most budget-friendly airlines out there, and they're not pretending to be some high-flying luxury brand. They've got a cheeky attitude, shaking things up, and making it work.

#3 DiGiorno Pizza

Hands down one of the quirkiest and most entertaining brands to follow on Twitter. While their tweets are usually pizza-centric, they're far from the typical overly-promotional stuff you'd expect.

In 2013 DiGiorno Pizza live-tweeted NBC's The Sound of Music, and basically, the internet couldn't handle it. It was wonderfully bizarre and hilariously unforgettable. This move showcased the brand's knack for hopping on popular hashtags (in this case, #TheSoundofMusicLive) and joining the buzz.

In those two hours of live-tweeting, they dropped 38 tweets, scored over 44 million social impressions for the week, and snagged more than 4,000 new followers. Most of their tweets are delightful pizza love letters, some still rocking that same wild, unpredictable voice from the live-tweeting era. Get ready to be simultaneously puzzled and cracking up—it's their trademark move.

Your X success journey begins now! 🚀

There you have it, our whirlwind guide to conquering X for your small or medium-sized business! It's been a wild ride through crafting engaging tweets, posting consistently, unleashing the power of visuals, running X ads, and partnering with influencers.

Now, the Twitter-verse is your playground. It's time to experiment, innovate, and make your brand a social media sensation. Remember, X is a dynamic world where creativity knows no bounds. Dive in, stay authentic, and make your tweets the talk of the timeline!Whether you're sharing the latest trends, building brand awareness, or sparking conversations, X is your stage. And with the tips and insights you've got, there's no limit to your success.