In this corner we have Twitter, 45 million users, and in this corner we have facebook, 300 million users.

DING! Let the fight begin!

I recently came across blogs arguing that Facebook is superior to Twitter and vice versa. While both social media applications have their advantages and disadvantages, I find that Twitter is much better for small businesses.

How Twitter can help small businesses:

• Easier to get followers that have not heard of your business. While using a social media application, you want to get followers that are current customers, but more importantly you want to get followers that never heard of you. It’s much easier to have followers that never heard of your business on Twitter than Facebook. I heard people say that they never accept a friend request on facebook if they do not know them, but on Twitter? They are following many they don’t know. Twitter is like an open online networking forum.

• Short, condensed, value-packed messages. Unlike facebook, Twitter only allows you 140 characters to get your point across. You must make the most of your message and grab the audiences attention. While facebook has a longer character limitation, the home stream is often cluttered with invitations and long messages about your friends days. Is this valuable information?

• Create a BUZZ. On Twitter, more users are open to following unfamiliar businesses and individuals which quickly builds your brand awareness and creates a loyal following.

• Increases your SEO. Twitter allows you to post links with your tweets. You can increase your SEO by posting links back to your website.

• Track campaigns and ideas quickly. If an ice cream store wonders if they should launch peach or banana flavors, they could ask the Twitter world and get an immediate response.

Of course with all these tips, Twitter and any social media application is successful when used strategically. Check out how Cultural Sponge uses Twitter strategically to help businesses grow.