Should Your Business Be on Twitter?
By Gina Cuclis
This is republished from Cuclis PR's October 5, 2009 "PR Tip of the Month." Visit www.cuclispr.com to read back issues or subscribe.
Twitter has been receiving lots of publicity. I'm frequently asked if I think it's a legitimate marketing and communications tool, or just a fad. I don't think Twitter is merely a fad. However, as with choosing any marketing or communications tactic, deciding whether Twitter is right for your business depends on your customers. Who are you trying to reach? Are they on Twitter?
What Is Twitter?
Twitter is a micro blogging platform that limits messages to 140 characters or less. People who receive your Twitter messages, or tweets, have chosen to follow you.
Stats About Who Is Using Twitter
Studies show Twitter usage is growing among every demographic group. The number of Twitter users in 2009 will increase 200% Current estimates are that 11% - 13% of Internet users now use Twitter.
Initially, Twitter defied the typical social media early adopter model. Most users were between 35 and 54, followed by the 25-34 age group. Now, however, the fastest growth is among people under 25. 66% of all Twitter users are between 15 and 24. 15% are between 25 and 29. People over 55 make up only 1% of Twitter users. 53% of Twitter users are women.
Deciding If Twitter Makes Sense for You
Stats alone shouldn't be your determining factor about Twitter. For Twitter to work for you, you must invest time learning how to use it. From a technical standpoint, Twitter is very easy to use. The challenge is deciding what to tweet. Signing up for a Twitter account, and then rarely using it, won't get you anywhere.
Online Resources About Twitter
For more information, I recommend the "Newbie's Guide to Twitter," "17 Ways You Can Use Twitter,"or watch this YouTube video.
Please Leave Your Recommendations
My suggestions above are to help people not yet on Twitter get started. If you have other recommendations for newbies, intermediate or advanced users, please share by posting a comment. Thanks!
This is republished from Cuclis PR's October 5, 2009 "PR Tip of the Month." Visit www.cuclispr.com to read back issues or subscribe.
Twitter has been receiving lots of publicity. I'm frequently asked if I think it's a legitimate marketing and communications tool, or just a fad. I don't think Twitter is merely a fad. However, as with choosing any marketing or communications tactic, deciding whether Twitter is right for your business depends on your customers. Who are you trying to reach? Are they on Twitter?
What Is Twitter?
Twitter is a micro blogging platform that limits messages to 140 characters or less. People who receive your Twitter messages, or tweets, have chosen to follow you.
Stats About Who Is Using Twitter
Studies show Twitter usage is growing among every demographic group. The number of Twitter users in 2009 will increase 200% Current estimates are that 11% - 13% of Internet users now use Twitter.
Initially, Twitter defied the typical social media early adopter model. Most users were between 35 and 54, followed by the 25-34 age group. Now, however, the fastest growth is among people under 25. 66% of all Twitter users are between 15 and 24. 15% are between 25 and 29. People over 55 make up only 1% of Twitter users. 53% of Twitter users are women.
Deciding If Twitter Makes Sense for You
Stats alone shouldn't be your determining factor about Twitter. For Twitter to work for you, you must invest time learning how to use it. From a technical standpoint, Twitter is very easy to use. The challenge is deciding what to tweet. Signing up for a Twitter account, and then rarely using it, won't get you anywhere.
Online Resources About Twitter
For more information, I recommend the "Newbie's Guide to Twitter," "17 Ways You Can Use Twitter,"or watch this YouTube video.
Please Leave Your Recommendations
My suggestions above are to help people not yet on Twitter get started. If you have other recommendations for newbies, intermediate or advanced users, please share by posting a comment. Thanks!
Posted by Gina Cuclis at 10/6/2009 9:32 AM 
Categories: Twitter, Social Media
Tags: Twitter YouTube marketing
Categories: Twitter, Social Media
Tags: Twitter YouTube marketing
Trackbacks
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10/14/2009 2:15 PM
BLOG.CUCLISPR.COM wrote:
By Gina CuclisThis is a follow-up to last week's post, "Should Your Business Be on Twitter?" Offline comments and questions I received since, indicated it would be helpful to provide an example of how to use Twitter. I looked at Twitter profiles of a number of Sonoma Valley businesses searching for one whose Twitter use could be held up as a role model.#1 Criteria for Effective Use of TwitterI sought out businesses who understand that Twitter is a conversation. As I discussed in an August entry, What Small Businesses Need to Know About Twitter, followers aren't interested in sales pitches. ... -
10/29/2009 9:36 PM
BLOG.CUCLISPR.COM wrote:
By Gina CuclisThis is a follow-up to last week's post, "Should Your Business Be on Twitter?" Offline comments and questions I received since, indicated it would be helpful to provide an example of how to use Twitter. I looked at Twitter profiles of a number of Sonoma Valley businesses searching for one whose Twitter use could be held up as a role model.#1 Criteria for Effective Use of TwitterI sought out businesses who understand that Twitter is a conversation. As I discussed in an August entry, What Small Businesses Need to Know About Twitter, followers aren't interested in sales pitches. ...
EVERY BUSINESS NEEDS TWITTER. If you are a business and you have valued customers, then those customers deserve to know what is happening with your business. Like the article says, don't create an account and never use it. That being said, a few tweets a week will do just fine. Your followers CHOOSE to follow you. If they have chosen to follow you then they obviously have some interest in your business. This is a great resource to provide valuable information to interested customers for FREE!
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