Although it seems like social media is a new phenomenon, the fact is it has been around for many years. Groundbreaking programs such as AOL chat and IRC played host to many conversations between people, and facilitated thousands of online people to make contact and are the genesis of today’s social media.

Twitter is a micro-blogging service very similar to these previous chat programs, only users are limited to 140 characters per post. Twitter is experiencing approximately 20 million unique visitors per month since April of 2009, with the explosion of growth showing very little signs of receding. Twitter ranks among MySpace, LinkedIn, and Facebook as the most popular social networks today, and according  Nielsen, social networks are the fourth most popular online activity.

Companies and businesses are fast realizing the power of social networking and Twitter to improving their business, giving them a competitive edge, and reaching new customers to which they may not have ordinarily had access. How does a company reach new customers on Twitter?

It seems simple, but it can be complicated. Building a reputation on Twitter does take a time commitment on the behalf of the company, because internet people are savvy about marketing and many of the old precepts no longer apply. Building brand loyalty is important, and so is establishing your reputation on Twitter as a trusted and valuable asset. Failure to do this could cause more damage than good.

Introducing your business presence to Twitter is very like moving into a new neighborhood or meeting new people at a dinner party. There is an awkward stage as both parties size each other up and start to get to know each other. What you want to accomplish for future success of your business is to make solid connections, listening to what people want, and getting to know them before you start promoting your products that may or may not be appropriate for your Twitter followers. Building trust is an important component.

Just like in any relationship, getting to know people is just one component. Inviting people to get to know you is just as important in establishing a trustworthy bond. On Twitter, this doesn’t mean communicating information that is intensely personal, but your potential customers need to know a little bit about you. What interests you, what does your company or brand represent?

By engaging in relevant conversation, participating in exchanges with other Twitter users who share your interests, and offering helpful information, people will come to see you as an expert in your field. Establishing this trust with your followers and potential clients is more than worth the patience it entails, and can lead to loyal, happy clients that are willing to spread the word about your product or service. Word-of-mouth has always been an important part of any advertising campaign, and Twitter is the 21st century’s ultimate in word-of-mouth, with a globe-encompassing reach. This is the secret of reaching your customers on Twitter.