As a social media virtual assistant I am often asked one question by business owners who are still to discover the many business benefits of using Twitter, the popular social networking site: How do you find the time for Twitter? The answer is simple: I make time! Using Twitter as a business tool has provided me with an invaluable source of resources, timely information, business connections, and opportunties that would have been much harder to come by, if at all, had it not been for the micro blogging site.
What's more, observing the positive business results my clients achieve through strategic use is further proof of this.
But, it can be easy to lose productive hours in the constant stream of information and light-hearted chat that takes place there.
So, I have learned that a little effort (and a plan) can make all the difference to my Twitter use.
Here are 5 ways to make Twitter work harder for you.

1. Schedule.
   Twitter, when used for business, needs to be included in your schedule.
   No need to be tweeting all day.
   15 minutes a day is enough once you know you're way around.
   Plus with tools like Hootsuite (a professional social media dashboard used to simplify your online networking) you can schedule your messages, so if you stick to a strategy and have keyword optimised tweets, they can be planned a week or two in advance.
   
2. Tools.
   There are countless tools that make using Twitter easier and more efficient.
   They can organise your follows into categories, schedule tweets, alert you when your name or keyword/search term has been mentioned, shorten your url links, save tweets, track popularity of your tweets - the list goes on.
   
3. Use dead time.
   Twitter (along with a host of third party applications) is available to download to your smartphone so you can keep in touch while on the move.
   You know, when you're waiting for a meeting; on the train; in the supermarket queue.
   Perfect time to check your phone and see what's happening.
   If you haven't got time to read the attachments sent with the tweets, use the favourites option and save them to read later.
   
4. Create a Tweet bank.
   Somewhere to store tweet ideas for use on those days when you're uninspired or extra busy.
   I use Google Docs for this purpose as I can access it anywhere.
   Repurpose those tips you gave during your presentation, or answer the question your client asked yesterday.
   Over time you will create a huge resource of valuable tweets to use again and again (but not too often).
   
5. Get some help.
   Hire a virtual assistant to assist your Twitter activity.
   They can keep an eye on your account, find interesting people to follow, look for conversations, create your tweet schedule and monitor your reputation and search terms.
   Leaving you to follow up and build those important business connections.