Twitter is a huge and growing platform for communication (106 million users, growing by 300,000 users a day by one recent estimate), so developers are, of course, finding innovative new ways to use it every day. One of the hot new trends is location based search, which allows you to search for keywords within a particular city or region. Using Twitter as an effective tool for Home Performance and Energy Auditing businesses starts with connecting to the online crowd in your local community. These tools can help you identify the most influential twitterfolk in your area. Follow them, build relationships with them and, in no time at all, you can establish yourself as the "go to" person in the energy efficiency world.
Here are our 5 favorite location-based Twitter search tools:
1. Twitter Search.
Twitter's advanced search page allows you to get pretty specific in your search. You can search for keywords, exact phrases, any number of miles within a given location, and even "attitudes" (smiley faces within a tweet, etc.)
2. TwitterLocal.
TwitterLocal is a super simple program that lets you view a location-based search stream in real time. That means, essentially, that you can view the results of an advanced, location-based Twitter search, but it will keep updating itself as new tweets are added. This saves you time, and keeps you updated.
3. Nearby Tweets.
Nearby Tweets is essentially a dressed up version of Twitter's advanced search page. We like it because it's simple, easy to use, and more visually appealing than the basic Twitter search.
4. iPhone Apps.
There's no shortage of Twitter apps for the iPhone; Twinkle and Echofon (formerly Twitterfon) are both free, and allow you to search for Twitter users near you, using the phone's geo-location device.
5. Tweetups.
Tweetups aren't exactly a tool, but can definitely be a useful way to network with local business leaders in your area. If you use one of the above mentioned local search tools to search for the #Tweetup hashtag in your area, it's pretty easy to find the next one (if there aren't any, you could always start your own). They usually take place at bars or restaurants, they're very casual and are always fun.
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