Social networking sites like Twitter can be an extremely valuable tool in lead generation. I have personally been drawn to click through on several marketing posts on Twitter to acquire more information on a product or service. Because of its extreme viral nature and ease of use, implementing Twitter effectively for lead generation is a must-have weapon in the arsenal to bring in leads for your business.

Setting up a Twitter account for a marketing representative is a simple way to add more value to your lead generation efforts. Once you have set up an account and established a profile, the next step is to build a network of “followers” for your Tweets. The most efficient way to do this is to search for Twitter members with interests that correspond to your products. If you are marketing an industry trade show, for example, search for members that have specified an interest in that field or businesses/web sites listed on Twitter that deal with products in that field. The more Twitter members you follow, the more will follow you in return and receive your lead generation marketing posts via your Twitter feed. Be sure to follow anyone who begins following you on Twitter to show appreciation for them signing up for your feed and to help establish a positive interactive relationship with your audience.

Another key component of lead generation via Twitter is to include your Twitter feed on your web site. This allows visitors to your site to easily click through to follow your updates on Twitter and be exposed to more of your marketing efforts. Posting frequently to your Twitter feed is a must, but it is important not to spam the feed too frequently. Include a link to your Twitter feed in all of your marketing materials to acquire additional followers for lead generation. The links you Tweet should include specific and informative text on the product or service, usually in the form of a blog post or article.

Converting your Twitter feed followers into viable lead generation prospects can be done in a variety of ways. Most importantly, the page you direct your followers to click through to on any Tweet should include an immediate way to acquire their personal information for further contact. Make sure that the page includes a newsletter sign-up link and a contact form for requesting further information on the product or service you are marketing.