Many of you have no doubt heard of Twitter, a service initially designed for friends, family, and co–workers to communicate and stay connected through the exchange of quick, frequent answers to one simple question: What are you doing? Also known as micro blogging, users have up to 140 characters to communicate. Some of you may even be using it to keep connect with friends, family or follow people of interest to you.
But did you know many businesses are using it as well.
Here's a few examples I found (via wikipedia):
Large Businesses such as Cisco Systems, Jet Blue, and Whole Foods Market use Twitter to provide product or service information
The Los Angeles Fire Department put the technology to use during the October 2007 California wildfires.
NASA used Twitter to break the news of the discovery of what appeared to be water ice on Mars by the Phoenix Mars Lander. Other NASA projects, such as Space Shuttle missions and the International Space Station, also provide updates via Twitter.
News outlets such as the BBC have also started using Twitter to disseminate breaking news or provide information feeds for sporting events.
Several 2008 U.S. presidential campaigns used Twitter as a publicity mechanism, including that of Democratic Party nominee and eventual winner Barack Obama. The Nader/Gonzalez campaign updated their ballot access teams in real-time with Twitter and Google Maps. Twitter use increased 43% on election day.
The Georgia Institute of Technology College of Computing is using Twitter to relay information to students.
The University of Texas at San Antonio College of Engineering is using Twitter to relay information to students.
Westwinds Church in Jackson, Michigan uses Twitter as a part of its weekend worship services and introduced the concept of Twitter Church. Westwinds runs training classes for Twitter and encourages members to bring laptops and mobile devices to church. On occasion, the Twitter feed will be live on the screens in the auditorium and everyone is encouraged to give their input, make observations, and ask questions in an interactive worship format.
Activists used Twitter networks to co-ordinate street protest at the 2008 Republican Convention in Minneapolis/St. Paul.
10 Downing Street, the website of the British Prime Minister, has started using Twitter.
Personally I followed all the major political party leaders during the last Canadian election (all the leaders had an account). I also watch for specials from Home Depot Canada posted regularly.
For interest I also follow companies like Tyson Food and Molson, Britney Spears (yes her - I said it was for fun), the social media director for Ford and the Flyers, and many others in the advertising Social Media fields in addition to friends and associates.
But does it make sense for your business? The short answer is -- if you have a customer base -- then YES. Twitter is an excellent way to build a relationship and communicate with your customers, your community and stakeholders. As the above examples illustrate there are countless uses for Twitter - organizing, customer service, getting information out, and most of all engaging your audience. If you have a retail outlet - use it for sales or special events, if you are a club or group - use it to help organize events and keep people informed, if you are a service-based company - use it to keep people informed about what you are up to and latest trends and information... and the list goes on.
It's all very helpful as I mentioned earlier to follow and keep in touch with what is going on in your industry.
Still not sure? There's no harm (or cost) to get an account and give it a try.
Oh yeah, if you want to follow me, click here.
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