50 Tweets I’d Like to See from Local Businesses

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I think local businesses are really missing the boat if they don’t use Twitter but when I mention it to a local business owner, I hear lots of resistance. The first question most curious business owners have is “What would I tweet about?”

Here are 50 tweets that I and my family would be curious to see. We thought of these in less than ten minutes.  Couldn’t your business use a boost in a very short time?

1. Grocery store: link to recipes using items that are on sale
2. Grocery store: quick, healthy dinner idea
3. Grocery store: sack lunch ideas
4. Grocery store: In store tasting announcements
5. UPS Store: Tweet when the UPS delivery truck arrives each day.
6. UPS Store: Tweet a special offer to add personal e-mail or twitter notification of deliveries
7. Used bookstore: Tweet when a bestseller arrives from a used seller
8. Bookstore: Announcements of author visits and book signings
9. Thai restaurant: the special of the day
10. Thai restaurant: 10% discount if you mention Twitter
11. Coffee shop: The coffee of the day
12. Coffee shop: The freshest baked goods of the day
13. Coffee Shop: Half-off coffee during the slower hours
14. Hair stylist: Refer a friend for a 25% discount
15. Hair stylist: Tweet pictures of clients’ new styles throughout the day
16. Used CD store: Tweet when local musicians are stopping by to play
17. Used CD store: Incoming trade-ins, especially hot picks
18. Mexican restaurant: No Mariachi Band Tonight (that would be a draw for me!)
19. Mexican restaurant: Margarita of the Day
20. Burrito shop: Daily appetizer special
21. Video store: New arrivals
22. Video store: $1 off rental if you mention Twitter
23. Superstore like WalMart or Target: Free reusable shopping bag with $50 purchase
24. McDonalds: The McRib is back!
25. McDonalds: Senior discount features
26. Chick-Fil-A: Spirit night for local school
27. Chick-Fil-A: Free mini dessert if you mention Twitter
28. Knitting store: New yarn arrivals
29. Knitting store: Class schedule
30. Knitting store: Sock contest submission photos
31. Knitting store: Tweet photos of samples made from featured patterns
32. Knitting store: Link to product reviews
33. Knitting store: Link to free patterns featuring yarns in stock
34. Home Depot or Lowes: How-to clinics
35. Pro baseball team: Last minute ticket discounts
36. Pro baseball team: Links to player bios
37. Quick oil change: Daily special
38. Car dealer: Seasonal maintenance specials
39. Car dealer: Maintenance tips
40. Golf course: Tee times available
41. Golf course: Driving range specials
42. Golf course: Discount on lessons if you mention Twitter
43. Doughnut shop: Free coffee with two doughnuts
44. Pet supply store: Pet care tips
45. Pet supply store: Weekly grooming special
46. Office supply store: Marketing tips
47. Office supply store: Specials on printer cartridges
48. Wine merchant: Links to wine reviews on new arrivals
49. Wine merchant: Food-wine pairing suggestions
50. Wine merchant: Tasting event announcements

If I had another ten minutes, it would have been cake to make this an even hundred.  I didn’t even get to the gift shop, the dry cleaner, the pizza cafe, the brunch spot, the drug store, or the copy shop.

If you’re local, try using Twitter to share product information in addition to discounts and sale announcements.  Be a valuable resource for your clients and engage their love of your product or fundamental need for what you sell. When they trust you to inform them, then they will surely trust you as a provider.

Cross-promote and converse with your fellow local retailers. The conversations will grow your networks to everyone’s benefit.

And don’t forget to put an eye-catching sign near the cash register to tell customers your twitter ID.

image credit: philcampbell

What would you like to see from your local businesses via Twitter?

Related posts:

1. Going Out of Business As Usual
2. Are You An Evangelist?
3. Take It Easy

By Laurie Foley

I'm Laurie Foley and I help solo professionals like you discover your natural brand so that you can get clear, get noticed and get clients. Please request your free copy of The Inner Brandifesto, my popular guidebook full of brand-building exercises.