A big sale or exclusive deal may be just a Tweet away. Businesses have started using Twitter to reach out to their customers. Alexis Christoforous reports.
Background sounds
>> Your local supermarket wants to be your friend and if you let them there might be a deal in it for you.
>> I think that everyone is trying different ways to approach their customers.
>> Whole Foods is one of hundreds of tech savvy companies using the social network Twitter to talk to customers.
>> With a free Twitter account you can follow the stores on the network and then receive their tweet about exclusive discounts on your phone or computer.
>> The people who are on it love it and I totally understand why it would be great for business.
>> This hip cosmetic and novelty in neighborhood began tweeting 5 months ago.
>> It could be anything from Obama mask that just came in to an exclusive 25% off sale.
>> From Dell computers to Dunkin Donuts, daily tweets can help you save. If you don't want to sign up to follow all those individual companies coupon feeds on Twitter track the deals for you. Some recent discounts posted on coupon tweet; 50 cents for an iced coffee at Dunkin Doughnuts, $20 off a Banana Republic and $350 off a Sony HD TV. You can also find store giveaways. Next month Whole Foods rolls out a contest playing off Twitters 140 character limit.
>> The winning person who gives us a great answer will get $140 gift card.
>> I guess I gotta go check out Twitter laughter.
>> Melissa may be signing up soon to check out the bargains but as a small business owner she may end up Tweeting about her cupcakes. Alexis Christoforous CBS News, New York.
==== Transcribed by Automatic Sync Technologies ====
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