One of the questions I'm most asked is how do you sell social media to your boss or client. Sure, we're in the space and can see the numerous benefits, but how does that transfer to a wary client? With that in mind, here's the first in a series of presentations on how you can relate certain social media benefits to a business need. This time around it's Twitter. I hope you find it useful, and feel free to share with your friends, download, use on your own blog, etc.

1. How to Sell Social Media to Your Client or Boss Episode 1: Twitter

2. So you need to sell Twitter to your client or boss. You know its value but this is a new area for them. They’ve heard the horror stories of the Twitter backlashes…

6. They’re scared that if they go onto Twitter, the exact same will happen to them, so it’s better to stay away altogether, right?

7. WRONG!

8. Sure, you could become the target of vitriol and customer complaints and abuse. But this happens every day anyway – not every single one of your customers love you all the time.

9. Sure, you could become the target of vitriol and customer complaints and abuse. But this happens every day anyway – not every single one of your customers love you all the time. Ever .

10. So instead of ignoring what’s going on around you, why not encourage it?

11. (Okay, maybe not THAT much, but you get the picture…)

12. Imagine if you were the business that had its finger on EVERY SINGLE PULSE of what your customer is thinking. Your customers would love you, right?

13. Guess what? For some companies, this is already happening…

14. Guess what? For some companies, this is already happening…

15. Guess what? For some companies, this is already happening…

16. Guess what? For some companies, this is already happening…

17. And that’s the beauty of Twitter – it can be anything you and your customers want or need it to be

23. The limitations of Twitter for your business is nothing more than the limitations of your business ambitions

24. Okay, so it all sounds cool, but how do I actually use Twitter for my needs?

25. First, make sure your customers are actually using Twitter by carrying out a social audit. This will gauge the scale of your involvement. Once you’re satisfied you should be on Twitter, it’s time to go to work.

27. - If you have a call centre, enable your contact agents to have Twitter accounts and teach them how to monitor the feeds. Be pro-active at resolving issues, highlighting great experiences, offer special deals for Twitter followers, etc.

28. - If you have a call centre, enable your contact agents to have Twitter accounts and teach them how to monitor the feeds. Be pro-active at resolving issues, highlighting great experiences, offer special deals for Twitter followers, etc. - Monitor the buzz around your industry and see what common complaints are arising; why; and be a thought leader at resolving.

29. - If you have a call centre, enable your contact agents to have Twitter accounts and teach them how to monitor the feeds. Be pro-active at resolving issues, highlighting great experiences, offer special deals for Twitter followers, etc. - Monitor the buzz around your industry and see what common complaints are arising; why; and be a thought leader at resolving. - Use Twitter as the portal for simple queries and contact the relevant teams on behalf of customer for in-depth queries, escalations and sales.

35. - Crowdsourcing via Twitter is one of the most effective ways to see if the market is ready for your new product

40. - Instead of using expensive recruitment agencies, ask for recommendations from Twitter for your new positions

49. These are just some examples of how Twitter can be used for your business or your client’s business. The best of it is, you tailor to you and your customer’s needs. And this stops a…

51. Still getting doubts? Just ask your boss or client three things:

52. 1. What offers more value than what your customer is thinking?

53. 2. What offers more value than answering, first time, concerns your customer base may have?

54. 3. Most importantly of all, what offers more value than answering these concerns before your competitors do?

55. Customers like to talk. Businesses like customers. Twitter lets customers and businesses talk with each other.

56. Customers like to talk. Businesses like customers. Twitter lets customers and businesses talk with each other. What are you waiting for?

57. How to Sell Social Media to Your Client or Boss Episode 1: Twitter – The End