Twitter has been around for a while now but recently it has grown in popularity as a marketing tool and many businesses are using it to drive traffic towards their website.
200 million tweets posted a day it takes a certain level of skill to effectively use the tool to complement your web design.
The Twitter website describes the tool as "real time information network that connects you to the latest information about what you find interesting".
Twitter is a form of social media, this means its power comes from using relationships to inform, promote and entertain.
Twitter members use 140 character 'tweets', like a status update on Facebook, or a one line memo to announce to others what you are doing or feeling.
These tweets can be expanded upon in a details panel, which can contain links, videos, pictures, or text.
People can search Twitter for tweets on topics that interest them or for individual or companies they are interested in.
Twitter allows businesses to quickly share information with the public in short succinct releases.
It can be used to gauge public opinions or reactions to certain ideas and to gather feedback.
When used properly Twitter helps to nurture brand loyalty and interest.
It seems like everyone is getting into Twitter.
Kanye West, Justin Bieber all use Twitter, even Pope Benedict has started tweeting.
Don't be fooled into to thinking any idiot can use Twitter successfully.
It is not for web marketing beginners.
There are some things you should consider before you invest resources in Twitter for you business.
1.
Time: Do you have the time to invest in Twitter? People expect regular, quality updates.
There is no use starting a Twitter account and then only updating it once a week.
Twitter works on the premise that people enjoy an almost constant flow of information and entertainment.
You also need time to build a fan base by watching what other companies are doing and looking for a unique way to promote your own business.
There is no point tweeting the same thing every day.
You need to be engaged with users, ask questions and have time to listen and respond to answers.
Sounds involved? It can be! 2.
Interest: You need to maintain people's interest levels.
Every day you cannot just tweet that your business is open as usual.
You need new and attention catching material.
If your business or industry does not lead itself to entertaining and frequent updates then Twitter may not be for you.
You need to be able to draw a fun 140 characters from your industry, workplace, employees, customers or experiences every day (minimum).
3.
Skills: It takes skill to interest people in 140 characters.
Do you have staff in your business who can come up with creative ways to use Twitter everyday? Do you have staff who know how to use Twitter? Every 5 days there are 1 billion tweets posted, that is a lot of competition for people's attention.