Recently a number of clients have asked me for assistance in understanding the Twitter phenomenon. How can we get involved? Should we be involved? By now you should know that Twitter is a social networking tool that allows people/businesses to post messages in text format up to 140 characters. Text only no graphics, pictures or video, but you can post links to web pages.
Unlike traditional web sites, you
establish a Twitter account and then attempt to get individuals to "follow" your messages. So in essence I am subscribing to your "words of wisdom". Some people/businesses have developed massive followings. On the business side a good example is the news networks -
CNN Breaking News (2.6 million!),
Weather Channel and
Fox Toledo. Be sure to look around for variuos feeds from these services as many have multiple feeds. Fox Toledo has news,
sports,
weather,
Face of Fox etc.
On the individual front,
Ashton Kutcher made news earlier this year by reaching the one million followers status faster than CNN. He now enjoys 3.2 million followers.
Oprah has +2 million followers.
So onceyou open an account, what is next? My recommendation is to start following people and businesses with similar interests to yours. For example, since I am in marketing I used Advertising Ages Top 50 Media People to Follow on Twitter. Here are links to t
he first 25 and
the next 25. Read their posts for a few weeks and cancel the ones that are not of interest!
Next - add Ashton Kutcher and Oprah. Maybe you can find the allure. I have not been able to so far...
Look for local sources. I follow a number of people in local broadcasting- TV, radio and print. Don't forget ad agencies. Blogs. Competitors. One way to find people is to use Twitters
Find People tool. I found sometimes it is easier to simply visit the target's web site and look for the Twitter icon to subscribe.
140 characters does not give you a lot of space to broadcast a message.
eMarketeting's report
What Are People Twittering About? sums it up best. 40% of Tweets are "pointless babble".

But tweeting can get your message out and help drive business. If you have a compelling reason for someone to subscribe to your messages, you can attract followers. Breaking news and weather are good examples.
If I were in the food business - say pizza - and business is slower than expected on Wednesday... Save $5 on the pizza of your choice... Add a web page "Save $5" and tweet the link. Good today only... Marketing a sporting event and still have tickets to sell 3 days prior to the event? Tweet... Breaking news about a new concert or other "hard to get tickets to event"? "Subscribe to our Twitter feed and be the first to know"...
If I ran a local ad agency I would post links to case studies of successful campaigns that have helped other businesses... Auto Repair - tips on maintaining your car that you can do yourself. Tweet us with your questions... Research - Learn how
"Cash for Clunkers Gives Auto Makers a Boost."... Door and Window Replacement -
The Advantages of Replacement Windows and Double Glazing... Most businesses can find a reason to use Twitter, but keep the following in mind before you start:
- Only tweet relevant information. Keep it professional.
- If you have nothing to say, keep it to yourself.
- If you wouldn't read it, don't post it.
- Be a resource, not a pest.
- Don't forget to post links to the complete article on your web site
Here are links to more articles on Twitter and social networking:
"
Why People Use Twitter"
"Focusing on Social Networks""Marketers Embrace Twitter over Facebook"And start your account by following
http://twitter.com/Eaglewolfbear I use it mostly to post research that I come across...