Like most people new to Twitter, just six months ago, I was telling people that if they’d found a way to use Twitter for business, that would be truly innovative.
Six months later and 3 million or so new Twitter users and the verdict’s out. Twitter’s got great potential for business. According to a recent article on Mashable.com, Twitter grew 752 percent in 2008 with receiving more than 4.5 million hits in December alone.
For the initiated or soon to be Twitter user, Twitter is nothing more than another communication resource. However, Twitter makes it easy to spread information quick. One person posts their “Twit,” if others find it interesting they “retwit” it to their “followers” and on it goes. It’s sort of like the old, “I told two friends…who told two friends…who told…” only on a much larger scale.
Twitter is also a great way to get around the overflowing email inbox or receptionist who insists the manger “Isn’t in today.”
As an information resource, Twitter is quickly replacing my feed reader as I’m following people who direct me to excellent links along with a number of journalists and media outlets who update news in real time.
From a business perspective, Twitter follows the same basic rules as other social media resources. Those who spam or continually broadcast their message without giving back will be quickly shun. Twitter is a two way street and you are expected to give as much as you take. A very basic concept so many in the business world fail to understand.
If you’re new or just getting started, it’s not too difficult. Create a profile and you’re on your way. However, the basic Twitter interface can bedifficult to use. Luckily, there are a number of third-party applications available to help you manage Twitter and make the most of what on the surface seems pretty basic.
I highly recommend TweetDeck and Twhirl. Both provide a much easier and more powerful user Twitter interface than the basic Twitter.com page.
In later posts, I’ll explore Twitter from a business perspective but for now, I’ve been collecting a number of Twitter links and resources which are listed below. Please feel free to explore and add any links you’ve found helpful in the comment section.
Oh, and remember to follow me at @jlcommunication
Twitter Tips
Join Twitter – It’s Easier Than You Think
HOW TO: Build Community on Twitter
How To Gain More Twitter Followers and Keep Them
11 Ways to Use Twitter to Help Your Site Go Viral
8 Ways that Twitter Can Grow Your Freelance Business
FOLLOW FAIL: The Top 10 Reasons
I Will Not Follow You in Return on Twitter
How to Stop Twitter Becoming a Waste of Time
How to Build a Community of Twitter Followers for Your Company
HOW NOT TO: Build Your Twitter Community
8 Sure-Fire Ways To Tick Off the Twitterverse
Why Journalists Should Use Twitter
Twitter for business: 5 ways to tap the power of the tweet
Twitter to Journalists: Here’s How It’s Done
HOW TO: Quiet the Twitter Noise
People to Follow:
Ten PR People to Follow on Twitter
List of Celebrities on Twitter
Twitter Tools
{ 1 comment… read it below or add one }
Hi,
Would you believe that I can’t find a script to add a retwit button to my blog posts ?
Heck !
Have a nice weekend,
José