Micro-blogging sites like Twitter have changed how many companies market themselves on via social media sites. Businesses are seeking innovative ways to gain new friends and followers to transform into potential clients. The difficulty can be parity of product pitch and friendly conversation.

In February of 2009 @AlexKaris posted the following question ion Twitter: What is the NUMBER 1 reason you unfollow people? “Tired of watching them self promote with links and no interaction” was the winning response with 42% of the votes.

The problem for me as a businesswoman on Twitter is the more I interacted and became part of the Twitter community the more reluctant I was to make a full sales pitch to my followers. By the second month on Twitter I noticed the followers who only sent out a barrage of sales Tweets with no interaction were very annoying. How would I keep from becoming “that guy/gal” with constant stream of 140 character Twitfomercials filling up the screen?

I had to ask myself the following questions. If I communicate too much, too little, send a random sales pitch or lay low will I be unfollowed? How do I advertise my website products and customer service without alienating potential clients? How do I avoid sabotaging my positive Twitter reputation?

You cannot find a better example of the social vs. selling balance on Twitter than that of @ricklondon. Rick London Group, LLC CEO Rick London’s personal approach involves putting himself forward as the face of his company on Twitter. He Tweets freely with the online community promotes his celebrity clients and provides links to his humorous cartoons.

Take proactive steps to market yourself and your brand to the Twitter community. Grow your following first by tweeting with those in your immediate network. Tweet music famous quotations, and jokes if you do not want to participate in friendly banter. Finally use your tweets to attract and coax your base to your internet site.

Tags: Twitter

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