Twitter

[Scottish Business Owner]

How many people on here have actually came across Twitter?

Is anybody actually using it?

Twitter: What are you doing?

In terms of social media is this really worth spending time on or is it just a fad that will very quickly fade away?

 

[Brian McIntosh]

Is the concept that every minute you do something different during the day, you post it up so all and sundry can see what you're up to?

 

[Idea15]

I have actually stopped reading the weekly Search Engine Guide enewsletters, which used to be incredibly useful, because they are completely obsessed with Twitter as the be all and end all. That's fine if you are a tech savvy business in America. I'm just trying to get startups in Scotland on their first web site. I had a prospective client who couldn't read my proposal because all he has is Microsoft Works, dialup, and Windows 98. I'd like Search Engine Guide to tell him that Twitter will keep his business open.

 

[Amber]

I use Twitter. At first I thought it was the most pointless thing around, but now I'm a little bit addicted. As for whether it's a useful business tool - well, I guess it depends on the business. I like it because it lets me get to know the people who read my blogs better, and it also helps drive traffic to them. I also like it because I work from home, but write for a publishing company based in London - most of their staff are on Twitter and I dip in and out of it all day, which makes it feel a bit like a virtual water cooler.

I think it's far from the be all and end all, though. I'm in a line of business (blogging) which is based totally online, and most people in my industry use Twitter/Facebook etc so it makes sense for me, but it definitely won't be of use to everyone.

 

[Idea15]

I noticed you use Twitter on your gawgeous web sites and it struck me that you are the perfect example of someone who benefits from Twitter - you can update your web sites with something you've spotted in the shops before you've even left the store.

 

[PC]

Hmm... redheads....

Must stop drooling!

I've never thought about using twitter but didnt they recently stop the sms part of their service in europe?

 

[Neil]

They did stop the sending of sms in Europe. You can still post by sms which is useful if you are out and about. I find Twitter useful. I see it more as an online to online business tool. If you are into social networking, facebook, friend feed etc it is great for getting the word out. There are also good examples of "Real World" businesses using twitter to stay in touch with their customers

Here is a useful video about using Twitter by Ed Dale The Tao of Twitter | Internet Marketing Digest

 

[Kevin]

They did stop the sending of sms in Europe. You can still post by sms which is useful if you are out and about. I find Twitter useful. I see it more as an online to online business tool. If you are into social networking, facebook, friend feed etc it is great for getting the word out. There are also good examples of "Real World" businesses using twitter to stay in touch with their customers

Here is a useful video about using Twitter by Ed Dale The Tao of Twitter | Internet Marketing Digest

the thing with twitter, stumpleupon and digg is don't try to force your content onto the users, research these website to see what content is popular and if your business fit the content then it can be of use, if not I wouldnt bother.

 

[andrewburnett]

Late to the discussion on this, but thought I'd add my tuppence anyway

For the average Scottish SME, twitter will probably not be of much use to them, for the internet marketer it is invaluable as news breaks on twitter long before it hits the front page on digg or sphinn for that matter.

Kevin is very right about not trying to force your content onto others, although personally I would group twitter with the likes of plurk, identica and more recently utterli as the core concept of each is to publish snippets of information to your "friends" and "followers" whereas stumbleupon, digg, reddit, mixx, propellor et al are sites specifically for submitting and voting upon links submitted by peers.