About once a week I usually get the question, “How does Twitter work? or What’s the deal with Twitter?” And yet throughout the course of a week as well I will also hear the following:
- Twitter doesn’t work
- How can people spend so much time on Twitter
- Twitter has no value
Then couple that with the following from Business Insider and one might really start to question it’s actual value.
There are 56 million accounts on Twitter following 8 or more accounts. There are only 38 million following 16, and just 12 million following 64.
To the casual observer, this all might mean that Twitter is a complete waste of time. To that I say that’s fine, I’ll keep using it for as long as it’s still available. For me, Twitter is invaluable. I’ve made deeper and longer lasting connections to my peers because of it; and because of that, because of those networks, it not only opened a lot of doors, but it also helped me get my current position at E & Y.
If you have doubts on how to use Twitter and still think it’s not worth it, listen to and watch Tom Martin’s Slideshare presentation on getting a job using social media.
For those that use Twitter and use it as a platform for media consumption as well as sharing and connecting with peer networks-I imagine their opinions of it will be completely aligned on the pro side of it being completely beneficial to them doing their jobs.
Throw the numbers out.
Direct Marketing Observations 
You’re spot on Mr. Mark 🙂
Folks just don’t get it, and that’s OK – I’m fine with that. There missing the boat Mark. You can lead a horse to water but you can’t make him drink!
The social web is gold for businesses that figure it out. Whether 140 characters at a time with the likes of Twitter, or 1,000 words on a relevant blog post that serves up value to the community, the value is in the people, connections and communities that develop as a result – period!
It’s simply priceless, the opportunities are vast and you really can’t call yourself a savvy business person if your not leveraging or at least experimenting and learning what the social web can do for your business.
Have yourself a productive virtual day Mark!
@Mark I wanna thank you for your participation. And you know what? I don’t know you if it wasnt for Twitter-so there ya go!
Hey Marc,
Thanks for the HT to the Getting a Job preso. I’m like you — Twitter has opened so many doors and created so many new relationships with folks I’d never have crossed paths with otherwise.
It’s an invaluable tool.
@TomMartin
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It’s simple. If you have FOLLOWERS than it’s worth GOLD..No FOLLOWERS your account is worth nothing. Even if you did have 1 million followers, NOT all of them are true FOLLOWERS.
So again, it depends on what you have & don’t have. It applies to all social media platforms not just TWITTER. Yes, Twitter can improve some of it’s features.
The important thing is to get the WORD out. Creating the HYPE and BUZZ. If you can achieve this than it doesn’t matter what social platform you use whether its Facebook, Blogger, Twitter or XYZ LOL. Got it? Good keep it! 🙂
As a online marketer and in my experience, if twitter is used correctly, it is very valuable tool, esp for small/online businesses. Very powerful tool for celebrities, athletes, politicians, and anyone who is considered “role model/superior/high status” regardless of background/location/gender/etc. The trick is to learn how to use in your favor. ,