To get ahead in today’s business world entrepreneurs have to be on the cusp of burgeoning trends and the latest resources. In 2010, 565,000 new businesses were started per month by both new and repeat entrepreneurs, the same rates as in 2009, according to the Kauffman Index of Entrepreneurial Activity. Some opt to get ahead by reading trade magazines and books, while others work the networking events and conferences like the annual Black Enterprise Entrepreneurs Conference. The digital world puts all this at your fingertips, so why not take advantage of the resources available to you in 140 characters or less? Get your thumbs ready because BlackEnterprise.com has compiled a list of the top 10 Twitter resources entrepreneurs should follow–just in time for Small Business Week 2011.
SBA (@sbagov)
The U.S. Small Business Administration keeps its more than 8,000 followers informed on ways to advance your small business. Expect tweets to align with the governmental organization’s
3 C’s of service: capital, contracts and counseling. See tweets and retweets spanning first-hand accounts of starting a small business to ways the government can support your small biz.
Startup Digest (@StartupDigest)
Based on your location, Startup Digest– a free resource powered by the Kauffman Foundation and aligned with brother company Next Digest–curates events and meet up opportunities for newbie and seasoned entrepreneurs. Peruse the timeline for a bevy of startup funding opportunities as well as worthwhile how to’s.
Entrepreneur (@EntMagazine)
The monthly small-business centered magazine streamlines its Twitter account with a wide-selection of written and visual content from its website, as well as helpful tools, such as a small biz expense calculator, or entries to fun contests that may get your startup noticed.
Harvard Biz Review (@HarvardBiz)
The Harvard Business Review and HBR.org have a reputation for providing business news in an intelligent and strategic manner. The same can be said for the company’s Twitter feed. Check out pointers on how to serve up great customer service, management style, how to build up your network, and more.
Melinda Emerson (@SmallBizLady)
Author of Become Your Own Boss in 12 Months and speaker at this year’s Black Enterprise’s Entrepreneurs Conference, Melinda Emerson, donned the “SmallBizLady,†is dedicated to making sure entrepreneurs are aware of everything there is to know about launching successfully and managing a profitable small business. The seasoned entrepreneur is a strong resource on the social media platform, engaging in daily dialogue with her 28,284 followers–either by responding directly to her mentions or through her weekly Twitter talk show, #Smallbizchat (Wed., 8-9 p.m. ET).
The Sprouter Team (@Sprouter)
The startup resource offers entrepreneurs expert advice on a range of topics. It starts by compiling answers to one’s most pressing business questions and then dispersing that information by tweeting at inquisitive startup founders, sharing the links to Sprouter.com and other relevant sites, as well as Sprouter Weekly, for the latest startup news. The team even tweets when their clan of experts is available to chat.
Andrew Morrison (@2andrewmorrison)
The founder and president of Small Business Camp, an all-day intensive prep program, takes entrepreneurs’ ideas from concept to implementation, outlying what needs to be done to get from point A to B. Morrison does that both during his camp and virtually on his small business centered timeline, sharing sample business plan templates, helpful tactics, events, and, even, inspirational quotes.
SCORE Biz Mentor (@SCOREMentors)
The nonprofit organization matches small business owners and emerging entrepreneurs up with one of their 13,000 mentors, as well as provides a collection of useful resources from free local business workshops to the latest business statistics and trends. The SBA partner consistently touts its blog entries.
Business Insider (@businessinsider)
Ever wonder how your startup can wow your clients with unforgettable gift bags? Business Insider has, along with other out-of-the-box yet practical topics . The financial business site has covered different facets of the industry, from the latest from Silicon Valley all the way to winning strategies, tweet by tweet.
Pete Cashmere (@mashable)
The major social and digital media source provides a perfect balance of technology and business news geared towards those already on the cutting edge of these constantly changing fields. Named an Ad Age 2011 influencer and one of Time magazine’s 100 in 2010, Cashmere–CEO of Mashable–powers the account constantly tweeting the site’s latest stories. Entrepreneurs can expect to see a great deal tweeted from Mashable’s startup channel.
Entrepreneurs, meet us in Atlanta at Black Enterprise’s Entrepreneurs Conference May 22-25, 2011. Visit blackenterprise.com/ec for more details and enter code BEDG295 for a $200 discount on registration!