Twitter for Businesses

I've finally joined Twitter and can be followed with the moniker, SpotlightMedia. I've avoided Twitter since its inception thinking it a waste of time. The premise is to write short status updates about yourself (under 140 characters). However, like most social networking tools, it can be used to your advantage.

Take the approach of using Twitter as a marketing tool. It is another avenue by which you can network and expand your clientele. If you spend your time writing useful bits of industry-specific information, you might reach a broader audience than with traditional forms of media.

Social networking tools can also be misused. It is very easy to spend excess time on boosting your image with little return. Many people participate in chats and games that are entertaining, but not productive. And with the plethora of competing websites, it is very easy to repeat the same information over and over without building any kind of following.

The best policy is to find a few alternative media sites and slowly build them over time. Twitter is great for quick updates, but isn't for everyone. Personally, I've found a welcoming community that is ready to promote and support businesses that are willing to share information. But, there are other methods of marketing that may deliver better results.

Update 6/5/09

After an initial 2 month trial, I haven’t met any new clients. However, I did meet a couple interesting people in related fields. The biggest help has been in the sharing of new information about emerging products and technology.