How many of you actually log in to Twitter and use it, and how many use it indirectly like I do?
I still don’t really understand Twitter. Perhaps there are people out there dying to tell the world every single thing they do an a day-to-day basis, but hey not me. I basically use it as another way to make sure my email messages and writing get read by my target audience.
I syndicate my latest blog posts, and also the latest emails from Aweber, to my Twitter account. In fact I have found over 23 WordPress plugins for Twitter than can help you use the service in smart ways, and still generate traffic to your main sites and blogs.
I have never sent or created a message in Twitter alone. This is how I do it, and you may want to consider doing the same if you’re still reluctant to get started with Twitter.
If you’re looking for a better Twitter marketing solution do check out Viral Twitter Profits.
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{ 45 comments… read them below or add one }
Very cool post! Twitter is really a controversial thing…
i love using twitter every single day with my business. thank you
Yes, I’m on twitter @ http://twitter.com/zbrain. Although I signed up when the service was fairly new, I’ve been using it more in the past few weeks. I think most people are missing the point of twitter, possibly because of the “What are you doing?” question. While your first impression when you see that is “I’m supposed to right about what I’m doing? and what’s the fun in that?” you realize it’s not about what you’re doing, it’s about what you’re thinking.
Twitter, like Facebook, or any of the social media tools, heck even a blog like yours allows you to frame your thoughts. Now, as much as the point is to write about something you’re doing, it is also about what other twitterers are thinking. Twitter gives you a glimpse into the thought process of the person. You get an opportunity to see how some of the smartest minds – like Brian Greene, Michio Kaku, Robert Scoble, Prez Barack Obama – think, and it only helps you think along the same lines.
Contrary to what most people think, there is a two way information flow – “what are you doing?” and “what is everyone else doing?”
I do use Twitter but mostly in the same ways as Gobala to update my readers of my blog updates. I also “pull” my Twitter feed into Facebook updates and various other sites – all automated.
Twitter seems to be the darling of the web at the moment and has been recently picked up in the mainstream press in the UK. Many politicians etc have been using it as have many celebrities. I can see that with the modern obsession for everything famous people do that it may well have a valid use for them but I do wonder who it is exactly who cares that you or I have just had a coffee and a bagel. Certainly, no-one who has a life – that’s for sure.
Looking at my Twitter reports some people seem to post dozens of aimless messages every day. With people doing this it is far too easy to ignore Twitter messages and I doubt whether most ever get read. The more people adopt it – the more I see this being the case.
So whilst I can see groupies and fans wanting regular updates to their phones that Mr Famous rockstar has just flexed his pecs I see most typical markets and customers being at bestm disinterested. For sure, online marketers are going to spout about it being the second coming but look how much they are making out of adding it to their “secrets of marketing online” courses…
For the rest of us, I would cite the 80/20 rule…
20% of your marketing results are going to come from 80% of your effort. You need to work out whether part of that 20% is Twitter or not. Personally, I think that unless people start to use it in a more restrained manner, any impact you may have had with it will be massively diluted or even lost…
I twitter too.
You can twitter me on http://www.twitter.com/sun22
Hey Gobala,
Yes, I’m twittering :
http://www.twitter.com/philippedetiege
And you have to see at this one :
http://www.tweetergetter.com/philippedetiege
I think people use Twitter because they like to think people are listening, but how many of us really sit down each day and read all the tweets of the people we’re following? It’s like way lower priority even than opening your inbox and reading all the newsletters from internet marketers, which, let’s face it, has to be a very slow day indeed (except yours of course Gobala, read it always).
Twitter “use” is more like people talking into the void with a bit of a chance of people accidentally listening.
Anyway, follow me if you really do “read” twitter: http://twitter.com/georgebaily
I don’t know the best way to use Twitter but sometimes I use a free tool called Posty – http://spreadingfunkyness.com/posty that send my posts to 5 microblogs at the same time.
Hey, if you want to add a Twitter button to your blog check out my site. It offers loads of free buttons that will help you get some followers. If you like it please spread the word.
Hi ivan,
Nice set of twitter buttons you have there! I will mention it on http://www.profitblogger.com in my next article.
I use Twitter, http://www.Twitter.com/AB9NN and a couple of services called TweetLater (sends a thank you to followers – I ask for a link) and TwitterFeed (sends an notice of blog post) to Twitter. i also post with comments about things going on such as extreme weather and Green Bay Packer happenings. I am building followers quickly and am selective about who I follow so only good content shows up on my Twitter feed. I also have a Plaxo “badge” on my website at http://www.HamRadioResources.com where I display some of my twitter feed. My twitter feed is also displayed on other people’s websites without a request by me such as http://www.73s.org . So I see the power and growth potential in the service.
Yes, I do use twitter. It is fun, interesting, and social. To know more about twitter, visit http://www.twitip.com . It is full of wonderful twitter tips!
By the way, you can follow me at @Gloson
I have not used tweeter yet. People say it is good. I will get into it soon. I would like to know more about it. I think it could help a lot. Thank you
Dan and Deanna “Marketing Unscrambld”
Hey Gobala, I think Twitter is more about really connecting with people that share similar interests and ideas. Yes many use it to post links and promote business but I like knowing what ordinary people are doing on an ordinary day. I also think one would gain more followers if one utilizes twitter for its purpose, sharing “what are you doing” is not just about business or research or blog posts. Its about real people living a real life.
Thanks for the conversation G, I really like your information.
askJayson at http://jaysontcote.com
Hi sheilaa,
I think there are a LOT of Malaysians there. Maybe not as much as those from US / UK but still..
Hi Sharron,
You’re right i think the ability to get tweets in your mobile phone plays a big role, but generally speaking for people like me (or anyone outside US) it will cost them a lot of $$$ to use the mobile service.
Hi Pete,
Looks like you already have 1300 followers by the time I’m reading this: http://twitter.com/xyour925job
That’s a really nice, big number you have there.
Yes. I am expanding my reach with the twit machine. It is fun and very useful. Thanks for the tips.
I have around 1200 followers on twitter I use it to submit my niche Blog sites it works really good to get listed on Yahoo. Twitter is a No follow link But still works to get listed on Yahoo. And will get you some traffic. Hey its another link to your site. my twitter is xyour925job follow me and I will follow you
To help you understand this Twitter thing,
This “SeniorTweet” brings forth this borrowing
From the Noble Bard
Tis sure to make him turnover in his earthly yard:
To Tweet or not to Tweet
That is the question:
Whether tis nobler to suffer alone
Their slings and arrows
Or join with all the other sparrows?
And take arms against the doubters muzzles.
And tweet, tweet, tweet about our troubles,
Victories or defeats – neither kind is near as sweet
Without the mundane sharing of one’s tweet.
. . . . . .
Tis is a very human thing to share
The sound of words upon the air,
Or, read them – share them in this blogosphare.
Val Spangler, SeniorTweet (from up the road in MV)
it’s really cool to twit it then twit that, haha….
i just follow you …….
Hi Gobala: I have been using Twitter for a while and I did not realize its great potential for marketing purposes.
I intend to study your valuable ideas.
Thanks.
Hector
Gobala, I’m on your mailing list and I do like what you have so far taught but I use twitter and facebook too and it really dosen’t work for marketing because you can only email 1 at a time, it’s a lot of work for almost nothing in return. Does anyone else feel that way? Also I use Blogger.com, can you use wordpress plugins with blogger.com?
Twitter is an amazing social platform for getting “out there”. However it is social media; so simply notifying people of blog posts etc alone is only part of the story. It’s not solely an advertising medium; it’s also a socially interactive attraction.
Personally I have my blog posts syndicated to Twitter. I also try to use it as a socially-interactive place to meet people online. Having said that I possibly don’t use it as much as I should. One has to remember that there’s no free mobile messages etc in the UK where I am, which doesn’t help.
Please feel free to give me a follow: http://twitter.com/kkomp
I do Tweet and I’m loving it as I do a lot good to my line of product’s and services.
You can follow me in twitter also:
http://www.twitter.com/aperd1
Play the game and you’ll find more gems in it.
Best wishes to all
http://gadget-junction.blogspot.com
Hi Gobala,
I use twitter mainly for blog broadcasting but occasionally for anything that i find on my travels.I have found many a good link and it’s great for asking people for information. Overall it fits in with my marketing strategy, but i am choosy who i follow.
I do Twitter. Often. Basically I let people know little things I am doing. Occasionally I do a post and it leads to one of my many websites.
I really just started using this in early December and am building a following. Not 100% sure the effects but I definitely will keep using it.
My Twitter ID
Hi Gobala,
Yes I twit to share the latest updates in my blog; and I see it as a networking tool.
Of course, there are not many Malaysians here, who share their daily happenings; feels lonely here at times.
Wishing more of us will get into twitting in 2009!
I use it and a means of keeping up to date with people on a slightly more personalized manner.
I prefer my twits to be clean and short, so I don’t syndicate much on to it.
Hi friends,
I like Twitter a lot !! It makes it easy to put yourself and your business in front of the kind of people you want to get in touch with.
It not only just for “staying in touch” but also to raise and brand yourself online and the best part, it act as a forerunner to your blog and your business.(to pre-sell your blog or website without actually selling anything).
Start twittering now …. twitt…twitt… Happy New Year !!
Regards,
Lena Khalid
Malaysian Online Network – Social Community to connect Malaysians and International Networkers
Gobala… I used to be as confused with twitter too but discovered how it worked…
I also do something like you do…
I have a blog broadcast set on aweber so each time I make a blog post, a broadcast message is automatically sent to members of the mailing list for that blog, at the same time a blurb about the post is posted on twitter with a link to the post… that gets referred traffic from those on my twitter network who click the link.. and well, a link is a link, and helps achieve SEO goals.
Cheers!
Roy
Hi,
Yes I twitter and no I do not use it to its full capacity. I do talk about updates to my blogs, Sqidoo, etc. I am not sure that it brings in any sales but I would not want to over look any possibility….
Hi and hello Gobala Krishnan,
I do use twitter too, but so far not really that active. In case you need to know, the url of my twitter url is:
http://twitter.com/lilyarbee
I use facebook and I have already included you as friend there. So off and on I still can communicate with you there as well. I have hi5, tagged, wayne and a blog but frankly let me tell you here, I spend most of my time on my blog interecting with other bloggers by means of message box, comments and Entrecard dropping. The url of my blog is:
http://lilyarbee.blogspot.com/
Gobala, why don’t you subcribe to Entrecard, it’s also good for you to interect further with new bloggers. Just go to my blog and click under the words “get one” at the Entrecard attached there, otherwise you may just go direct to Entrecard at http://entrecard.com/
I still yet to learn from you tips of how to make money on blogging and how to get my own domain.
Hi Lily,
I think I definitely have to give Entrecard a pass, and perhaps use the other stuff. Still, I don’t think I use as many as you do!
I think people overestimate social marketing and get overly excited over it.
It’s not going to overtake real direct marketing anytime soon.
There are some uses for it but it’s not as if its the best thing since sliced bread.
The real Twitter advocates just say ‘Use Twitter!’ but don’t give any concrete reasons for it. Because there isn’t any.
It isn’t a must. Your business is not going to die without it.
Allen Lewis
Hi Allen,
Yes I totally agree. Besides, most experts will tell you social marketing is great for traffic, but most of the time it’s not a good sales tool.
I not only use it I ping it its a Mini Blog
Mini-blog eh? That’s interesting. So basically one tweet will be one blog post?
I’m one of those who really uses twitter. Though I don’t feel it necessarily means I’m sharing all of the minutia of my day.
And I have no problem with also incorporating tools to use to broadcast what I’m up to.
However… I say if you’re not really using twitter…you’re missing out on a whole lot. Including relationship building and opportunities to contribute… as well as a terrific resource for feedback on what your target market wants most.
You can follow me at twitter here==> @marykw
Yes I use twitter to tell my followers everytime I update materials on all my blogs.
It is a very useful tool.
Ron Hirsu
http://www.e-healthytimes.com/blog
I also don’t understand much about Twitter, but I started to ‘follow’ people since almost every internet marketer is using it. I don’t twit a lot though…
Yeah me too, I follow people because that’s what you’re supposed to do. But do I really “follow” them? It depends I guess..
I just started using Twitter and the main thing I use it for is broadcasting my blog posts. I’m using Twitter Tools on two of my blogs. I like how it posts a tweet and shortens the url with tinurl.
Yes, I do Twitter.. You can follow me here :
http://www.twitter.com/MaheshKukreja
Hello:
I’m on twitter as @steve8004. Feel free to follow me. And yes, I do use twitter to broadcast blog posts but haven’t written anything in a while.
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