Jan
7
Other than setting up a U-Stream feed so that my sister in Atlanta could watch the kids opening presents on Christmas morning (what a geek), I apparently did a really good job of unplugging from the frenzy of social media and haven’t written much either here or on Twitter since about mid-December. That’s not to say that things have been quiet here at the office. December’s priority was the preparation and sending out of 2010 contracts to 2009 exhibitors (yes, it’s that time already). One of these days I’m going to write the “what do you guys do at Interbike the rest of the year?” post.
So getting back into the social media stream here early in 2010 (“twenty-ten” as I’ve learned), I’ve plugged away on a side project that I’ve been meaning to get to for some time and which Twitter’s still-new lists tool makes easier. With the help of friends on Twitter, I’ve compiled a list of bicycle shops and retailers that have accounts on the popular micro-blogging service. The point–aside from helping to promote our industry’s retailers–is to give those not involved an opportunity to see examples of how others are participating. I think the debate as to the value of social media to a small business (or any business for that matter) is pretty much over, but how, exactly, to take advantage of it is a whole other challenge.
The 245 shops, as of this writing, are using Twitter in many different ways. Not all are super active or social, but many have found great success at using it to connect with their communities and customers. In browsing the list, you can see that there are some great shops on the list like. Names like the Pony Shop, Revolution Bicycles, Belmont Wheelworks, Bonzai, Bicycle Therapy, Harris Cyclery, and I Martin are a few that stand out among those that I’ve found. If you’re a shop that Tweets (a “TwIBD”, if you will – ugh) and not on the list, let me know here or @Interbike on Twitter.
So in the spirit of the great Picasso’s statement that “good artists copy, great artists steal,” follow these shops and see how they use Twitter. Learn from them and then take some of what you see and like and make it your own. Oh, and don’t forget to use the list as a means to connect with your fellow retailers, too! Social networking, remember?
Up next, bike shops on Facebook.
Comments
3 Responses to “Bike Shops using Twitter”
Great post, I’m an avid user of twitter, I wonder what the next new social media craze will be!!
245 users out of a total 5,000 shops is still just a drop in bucket. Time will tell if this is a passing fad or whether it will turn into a tool that is used on a daily basis by more than a handful of technologically savvy dealers. It’s hard to argue with the utility of the service though. On the supplier side of things, BTI (@BTIUSA) uses Twitter to provide instant notifications when new items arrive in inventory, keeping dealers abreast of the latest products that are available from component manufacturers.
How about bike clubs? We’re ramping up to use Twitter more. We still use our blog because it gives us room for more info, but Twitter is also good for quick updates – like canceling rides because of rain or snow! http://www.twitter.com/teamtowncycle