Car hire broker Holiday Autos has chosen Twitter as its way into social media.

The firm will use its Twitter feed to make offers, and pass on holiday advice and information, such as tips on destinations. It started use of Twitter with the offer of 5% off car hire booking to the first 500 people to tweet or direct message it at @car_hire.

The broker says the move onto Twitter will give it a direct link to its customers. Its followers will get early access to new developments and benefits. Some deals will be limited to a certain number of customers.

Hema Nagar, head of marketing at Holiday Autos, said: “We’re really excited about being part of the Twitter revolution. We considered all our social media options carefully and decided that Twitter gives us the best platform to engage directly and quickly with our customers.”

The launch of the Twitter feed coincides with the site’s first branded ad campaign in three years, centred around outdoor advertising in London.

Our view: It could be easy for a retailer heading into social media to overburden itself with the number of social media platforms it needs to keep up. We like the way Holiday Autos has worked out just which one suits it the best.

Related news

• Promoted Tweets: the latest social media campaign must-have?
• John Lewis steps into social media
• Social Media Conference: Presentations now available online
• Stars of social media emerge through new research
• Who should be responsible for social media — PR or marketing?
• Bazaarvoice’s SocialConnect links social media and shopping