Know-How Exchange : E-Marketing

Hi Chris,

Great question. I too have read everything I can trying to figure out Twitter, including the Zappos article and I just can't figure out a practical application to my daily work life.

"Work" to me is the critical application. "Play" has no value.

I signed up for an account long ago and just haven't found a way to have it justify my time. Maybe I'll "tweet" you tomorrow and let you know about any new blog posts I read - or what I had for lunch - maybe we can find a way to make this work for us!

Interesting links here:

https://www.horsepigcow.com/2008/04/21/tweeting-for-companies-101/

https://www.insidecrm.com/features/101-twitter-uses-052008/

I look forward to the responses.

Hi Chris,

I signed up but haven't used it especially when I have to put all contacts into gmail. I also think it is more of a communications and networking tool but then I haven't made a real effort with it.

There has been some discussion on its uses at Small Business Trends:
https://www.smallbiztrends.com/2008/07/get-access-social-media.html/.

Status updates (which is what Twitter is) are available on many social networks and as a marketer, you have the ability to communicate to you friends, fans, customers, prospects or whatever you want to call them.

If you have nothing to say that is not helpful, interesting or that provides some business information then don't say it. If you have events, support charities and such you will find these to work the best.

Of course, you have no idea of how many people are actually reading your status updates, but that is no different from magazine ads or PR releases. Here is a small example of the reach of status updates.

Let us say you have 10,000 followers on Facebook, MySpace, LInkedin, Twitter, Plurk, or whatever social networks work for you. If you make just 2 status updates per week that would be 1,040,000 impressions in one year.

So is Twitter the best tool? It is one of many status update tools you should use.

Here are some articles about business success using Twitter:

https://www.mpdailyfix.com/2008/08/brands_on_twitter.html
https://mediabullseye.com/mb/2008/01/twitter-wheres-it-for-business.html
https://www.connectioncafe.com/post/connectioncafe/a_twitter_success_story_...
https://twitterhandbook.com/blog/
https://www.usatoday.com/tech/products/2008-07-20-twitter-tweet-social-netw...

Also, since people are talking, it's worth listening to what they say using a Google Alerts-like tool:
https://30lines.com/2008/06/listening-to-twitter/

ASVP,

I've just recently started using twitter. The people I "like" are ones who continually add value to me. They are experts in something, have an opinion, etc. They post relevant information links, etc.

Then...when I NEED something....who do you think I'm going to buy from??? The experts who have added value to my worldview/education in the past.

There is no formula like xtweets=xsales. It is at best...positioning.

That being said...I love it. I now have lots of resources that I trust because they seem to actually give a damn.

best of luck,

Kris

twitter: messagematters

I have to admit to being in the same place you are with Twitter. That said, marketers hate to be the last one on the bandwagon and I am no exception.

I figured with as many people "using" Twitter as there are, it's going to have some real value someday. At that point, it will probably be acquired by Microsoft and disappear - but what can you do?

Seriously, I don't tweet much nor do I spend a lot of time watching the Tweets of those I follow. As you said - boring. I spend most of my social media time on this forum and answering question on LinkedIn. Both of these are very targeted so far better uses of my time.

I do have my blog set up so that it Tweets when I post. If people really want to follow me, that's the best way to know what I am doing and what I am thinking.

All the best!

Melissa Paulik

Twitter is a really valuable tool for both marketing and PR. We use it a ton at HubSpot for our own marketing. Here are some articles that can tell you more:

* Using Twitter for Marketing and PR

* How to Build a Community of Twitter Followers for Your Company

* On Twitter and Trademarks, Businesses Should Beware


PS - I'm on Twitter at https://www.Twitter.com/mvolpe

On the post from Small Business trends today https://www.smallbiztrends.com/ with the heading How to Treat Your Blog as a Business shows how Twitter works well

Hi Chris,

I'm a little late to the conversation party here but I figured I might as well jump in! I maintain the MarketingProfs Twitter account (twitter.com/marketingprofs) and I admit that I was as big of a skeptic as you are (or were, before reading all these great answers!)

I think the reasons people use Twitter vary, as you can see here, depending on their business needs and goals. But from my perspective, Twitter is an invaluable resource in the following ways:

1. Listening. Scanning "tweets" gives me an instant read on what's hot/what's on people's minds, which helps me in planning relevant content that meets the needs of marketers.

2. Monitoring. Like many, I use a tool call summize.com (now owned by Twitter) that allows me to plug in a keyword (like "marketingprofs" or "marketing profs" or my own last name) and see what folks are saying about us/our brand. This has helped me put out one small PR fire before it became a conflagration... too lengthy to go into here, but it's a great way to find out what people are saying/what they think about you.

3. Discussing. I've had some great conversation with folks on Twitter about issues -- sometimes it's about articles we publish, sometimes stuff published elsewhere, sometimes stuff that's NOT about marketing or MarketingProfs. But it's always enlightening.

4. Information. It's great to throw out a question to your network -- "Who really knows social media strategy?" "What kind of audio equipment do you use?" "What do you recommend...." and see the responses you get.

and finally...but not least...

5. Networking. I've met some interesting people there who have gone on to become part of MarketingProfs or my circle, to varying degrees. Twitter has definitely broadened my network.

As my friend Chris Brogan says (I'm paraphrasing): If you make one connection on a platform that pays off, it's worth it. Of course, you need to make that call, ultimately, for yourself, and pick your platform (poison? lol) of choice.

If you decide to jump in, be sure to say hello!

Ann
twitter.com/marketingprofs

OK, one more thing... just to make you laugh:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wd4WZ3LqCKw

(Warning: Rated R for Language)