Review

Why shouldn’t you use Twitter? ...Because your IT people tell you how great it is and that you have to be using it.

Why should you use Twitter? ...Because your target markets use it, or are influenced by people who use it,
and it means you’ll win more business.

What is it?

Status updates of 140 Characters.

Think Facebook... “Steve is... feeling tired this morning” – but without the rest of the games, quizzes and photographs and other distractions.

It’s not necessarily what you are doing – but what you are thinking too.

It is, in its true form, a one-to-many message. (Although you can do one-to-one messages too).

Because it’s so much ‘smaller’ than Facebook, it’s used on Mobile Phones
(think ‘TXT’ing the world’ using your Apple iPhone).

It’s also the BBC’s favourite technology de jour. On the BBC News Website, they are quoting people’s Tweets in regular news stories. (Jonathan Ross’s return to TV drew two quoted Tweets – one from Stephen Fry and the other from a member of the audience). twitter also published the first pictures of the Hudson River Plane Crash (direct from an onlooker’s mobile phone).

The use of twitter in the UK has increased by nearly 1,000% over the past year and continues to grow at an extraordinary rate.

Also described as “Living with a Publicity Policy”.

OK – so what is it ACTUALLY?

It’s just a new form of media for communicating with people – and yet the most important (old) rule still applies in business...

Who are your target customers and what media do they take notice of?

If your target customer uses twitter – then so should you.

If your target customer doesn’t have the technology, knowledge, inclination or even ability to look at your website...

... then leave twitter alone!

Some Business Applications...?

Knowledge Sharing
“I’m looking into the effects of gravity on iPhones”
“I’ve already tried that – call me and I’ll tell you what happened”

Teaming
“It’s getting close to the end of the day, and it’s been a hell of a week – anyone fancy a Pint in the Swan?”
“I’m thinking of joining Steve for a pint”
“me too – but only if he’s buying”

Status Updates (Helpdesk)
“We’re noticing an Internet Slowdown for customers in East London – hope to get it sorted soon. Watch this space for an update”

“The helpdesk is exceptionally quiet today – call if you want to work through one of those low-priority calls that you keep putting off”

PR / New Product Updates
“Just been playing with the Beta Version of our latest iPod – you lot are SOOOO going to love this when it’s released!”

“This new gadget is creating a real buzz – check out this webpage and you’ll see what I mean www.something.com. Don’t miss out!”

Local Cafe/Sandwich Van
“We’ve got a nice Roasted Vegetable Soup on the menu today – that should make you feel better about all the snow!”

News Feed from 1940
"W Churchill giving speech NOW - "we shall fight on the beaches ... we shall never surrender" check YouTube later for the rest "

Further Reading…
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/technology/7844595.stm
http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/technology/2009/01/twitter_and_a_classic_picture.html
http://businesstechfeed.com/2008/08/twitter-business-business-twitter/
http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/technology/2009/01/inauguration_were_you_new_or_o.html

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