CPAs 'tweeting' benefits of social media tool

Everyone, it seems, has a story about Twitter.

The social networking tool has quickly grown in popularity among CPAs, and while many are new users, excitement and momentum is building around the service's advantages.

Mitch Freedman, owner of the Mitchell Freedman Accountancy Corp. and MFAC Financial Advisors Inc. in Westlake Village, Calif., said that he uses Twitter so that his clients and referral sources won't think he's a dinosaur when it comes to technology, and because he believes that the way Twitter is evolving and growing will only add credibility to people who post quality content consistently.

"My first taste of the power of Twitter came when I made one of my earliest posts about it being a busy day," Freedman explained. "We were negotiating a contract for work being performed in Australia, and another one of my clients was buying a house in Utah, and both of those things were occupying a lot of my time. I also mentioned one of my clients was shooting a movie in Bulgaria. Within an hour, somebody from Bulgaria was following me, somebody from Utah was following me and a couple of people from Australia started following me. It showed me the power of electronic communications."

For those needing a primer, Twitter is a free social networking and micro-blogging service that allows users to send and read messages known as "tweets." Tweets are limited to 140 characters and are sent out to "followers," or those who subscribe to the writer's posts.

Brooks Malone, digital marketing partner at Hughes Pittman & Gupton in Raleigh, N.C., said, "The volume of information available on a daily basis can be overwhelming and even conflicting. Using Twitter to share timely and specific information provides clients the knowledge needed to keep their businesses running successfully."

Malone, who is the primary tweeter for his firm, also has a small crew - including the directors of audit and tax, as well as the firm's business manager - posting on the site. "We just don't want anybody posting on it; we want some kind of quality control," he said, adding that his Twitter profile has approximately 675 followers.

Michelle Long, a CPA and QuickBooks consultant in Lees Summit, Mo., said that though she hasn't gained any clients yet from using Twitter, it's been a useful way to put out helpful and relevant information. She also uses it to direct traffic to her blog or to promote a Webinar. "I don't want to use it as 'I went to lunch' or 'I had coffee today'," she said, revealing that she had close to 900 followers. "It's all part of building your reputation or image as an expert and a resource to turn to. More and more CPAs are starting to embrace social media, as well as clients. I think it's a supplement to your other marketing methods."

• 1
• |
• 2
• |
• 3
• |
• 4
• |
• next