TWITTER - Do you find it useful?

I have bitten the bullet and joined Twitter (despite my previous thoughts!) and i have to say i am getting quite into it. I know quite a few UKBF members are on it - i just wondered in terms of business purposes how useful do you find it?

 

[scudulike]

I haven't got any direct business from it, but have made some useful local contacts, and found a last minute printer I needed a couple of weeks ago.

So overall, useful but not earth shattering

 

[YODspica]

Have made also a few contacts, and got some insights on businesses with updated daily info. Rate twitter highly.

http://twitter.com/YODspica

 

[irobo]

sorry I am not using twitter

 

sorry I am not using twitter

mmmmmmmmmmmmmm thanks!

 

[silvermusic]

I think it's one of those things you either love or hate, like messenger programs or Marmite.

For me it's like Marmite, no thanks I could do without interuptions every few minutes.

 

[Fernhurst Solutions Ltd]

I use it for business and although not had any business as a result of it, have found new contacts and developed exisiting contacts ... also some useful links to publications and events.

All in all its worth it, but as somebody said to me when I joined, you only get out of it what you put into it.

Andy

 

[Call Tracker]

It's good for getting your name into new markets and keeping an eye on marketing initiatives and getting tips and tricks. Also, I use it to stay in touch with journo's and generally put our name in the frame!

It's so easy to use I think it's definately worth it for the awareness factor.

 

[SOFTWURKZ]

Twitter is good to get to know people you would never meet face to face as for business hard work.

 

[QVA - Emma]

I would not be without Twitter. I have developed relationships with fellow VAs and made some useful contacts.

I have also had 6 enquiries since I joined in March which are all on going negotiations for new business so well worth the effort involved.

It isn't for everyone and it isn't just about business, I would say I use it 80% personal, general use and 20% business.

 

[YODspica]

sorry I am not using twitter

I've just reached 1500 followers (its only been 2 months), it must be my personality .

 

I've just reached 1500 followers (its only been 2 months), it must be my personality .

You pro!!!!!!! I'm jealous - i only have 63 x

 

[YODspica]

You pro!!!!!!! I'm jealous - i only have 63 x

65 now, just added you .

 

65 now, just added you .

Thank you!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

I'm on 67 now whoooooooooh. Must get twittering now

 

[Fernhurst Solutions Ltd]

has anybody got a copyright on the phrase 'twitter tarting' yet?

 

[FAB Enterprises]

I've picked up the odd bit of information or contact that I wouldn't have got normally. As for the business case, it's hard to justify the amount time you need to invest into it to get any meaningful return. Time better spent in other areas of the business me thinks.

I'll continue to use though as I've thought about a little application I'm might write using the Twitter API.

 

[SOFTWURKZ]

Want is the most amount of people you could get to follow you on Twitter
10,000, 100,000 would be interested to find out

 

[am:pm graphics]

I've just reached 1500 followers (its only been 2 months), it must be my personality .

WOW what have you been doing to get that many! :|

I recently joined (you can follow me here) and have got some business from it already. I think its good for building relations with other professionals and can be good for getting answers to questions. Its also interesting and a bit of fun..

Pauline

 

Want is the most amount of people you could get to follow you on Twitter
10,000, 100,000 would be interested to find out

Its certainly more than my measly 67 LOL

 

[Vizcom]

I'm brand new on it and not quite got my head round it yet. So the office dog Ruby is doing it for us. http://twitter.com/RubyVizcom Anyone got any Twitter tips?http://twitter.com/home

 

[TraceyAnn]

I think I must belong in the dark ages, but can someone please explain Twitter to me - i went onto the website and was totally baffled..... but then I dont understand facebook either

 

[silver]

I joined Twitter about 1 month ago. I enjoy it but it has taken that amount of time for me to learn how to use it in a way that suits me i.e. sending tweets from mobile and tweet applications such as tweetdeck etc. etc. At first it did feel as if I was learning a new language!

I am approaching it on the basis that it's a long and slow burn!

Alison

 

[wizzard]

I think it's one of those things you either love or hate, like messenger programs or Marmite.

For me it's like Marmite, no thanks I could do without interuptions every few minutes.

It depends how you are accessing twitter, if you access via their website, there is no interruptions as the site doesn't auto refresh.

The only downside is don't submit a ticket to twitter support, they'll get back to you after 2 weeks saying we cannot answer every email we receive, makes you think what's the point in submitting a ticket if they're not going to respond to it?

Other than that, I think it's great

 

[maxine]

I might enjoy twitter a bit more if I didn't find it so slow!

 

[Azam.net]

Joined Twitter about a month ago ( http://twitter.com/azammarketing ) but can't really understand what all the fuss is about. I much prefer blogs because there is substantial information there rather than some pithy comments.

 

[Otis Ogle]

i am on twitter (http://www.twitter.com/otisogle)

Also in answer to a question earlier, maximum followers?

http://www.twitter.com/aplusk has over 1million followers. It's Ashton Kutcher - from Punked i think. Infact he nearly has 1.5million followers.

CNN is also a close competitor...

 

[alltopbooks]

I only joined it recently, like you.

But I'm finding some interesting snippets of information I can use, and it's interesting watching people "living". Nothing earth shattering though yet. But worth joining.

Regards

Dilip

 

[Fuzzy]

Fuzzy is twittering, but can't keep up

 

[Tregeor]

I joined a few weeks ago, mainly after seeing it mentioned on this site. I freely admit that I simply don't get it. I really am completely baffled by it! Presumably you need to keep the site on in the back-ground to keep up to date with what's going on but it must be very time-consuming?
I did a search to see how many people in my address-book are members and found one person. He feels the same way as me, he simply doesn't understand it! Although at least he has one person 'following' him, Gordon Brown! How has that happened? Why would Gordon Brown be following an obscure librarian in Sunderland?

 

[Maslins]

I think it's just like any other form of networking. Initially you go on it & find people who you already know in the "real world". You then look through people they know and perhaps follow some of them who sound interesting. Maybe they then follow you back.

You tweet a couple of times a day perhaps (only takes 30 seconds), and read what others have tweeted (maybe a few minutes). If someone says something interesting, follow up on it.

Won't be that long before you've got a fair few followers. You post stuff that's sometimes funny, sometimes clever, and sometimes subtly state what you do. Before long, one of your followers (who feels like they know you) sends you a message saying "I notice you offer *insert service here*, I/my friend could use your help..."

It's more viral marketing than anything else, but I can certainly see how, with a bit of work, it can be another useful marketing tool.

From Chris_Maslin...follow me! ;-)

 

[Tregeor]

Motivated a little by this thread I 've just gone on to Twitter again for a look around. Found an article by Pete Cashmore who reckons 60% of Twitter subscribers give up within the first month.
However, a lot of people who don't give up seem to be following Mr Cashmore. If I understand correctly he has 537,000 followers!!!

 

[lesliedocherty]

im into twitter now, a friend convinced me to give it another go, i was one of the 60% who gave up, but like it now.

 

[spammy01]

I use the Twitter API to get twitters from people in the domain name industry. The twitters are displayed on some of my domaining websites and add some good live content about whats going on in the industry

 

[Fingers In Pies]

Twitter works for us... but you've got to put the work in.

FOLLOW ME - @flyerboy_uk

Jim

 

[limotek]

Twitter and Facebook are useful networking sites so you don't end up putting all your eggs in one basket.

 

[Fingers In Pies]

Twitter and Facebook are useful networking sites so you don't end up putting all your eggs in one basket.

Yeh, it's more... 'part' of your marketing mix.... like these forums... just look at you site stats... people click links, if they are interested in what you have to say and what you've got to offer.

I push my personality thru both fb and twtr - works for me.

 

[Foz]

i think i really need to start using twitter....i seem to be behind with it! What with facebook, Wordpress and the rest id spend more time on these than my business!

 

[maria102]

It works for me, I've found some great new designers, and PR people and useful contacts in the area, plus I get to air my concerns over my bingo wings (at this point I usually lose a few followers!)

 

[Clare]

Who's your target market, what do you want/hope to get from Twitter?

It does depend on the nature of your business and what your overall marketing strategy is. I've been actively using it for a few months now and have learnt alot. I've made some good contacts, expanded the readership of my newsletter, raised my profile, have got interviews from it and have a few potential business opportunities in the pipeline as well as gaining a few new clients/customers from it but I do a lot of online networking and

If you want to find out how to use it for business - take a look at @NikkiPilkington's TweetMentor email course. A good step-by-step guide to how to get the most out of Twitter.

As with any form of networking - results will take time but it's a good way to build and expand your network.

Clare