Internet UltraGeek » Marketing

Is Twitter a Waste of Time?

Raj Dash — Thu, 11 Jun 2009 14:00:25 +0000

In the greater scheme of web tools, something is only a waste of time if you are not getting any closer to achieving what you want. The fact is, that’s probably true for “most” users of Twitter. But like any tool, having a stuiable plan and using it consistently really does make the difference between wasting your time or getting a return on your efforts.

So you have to ask yourself a few questions:

Why I do want to microblog? What are my expectations, in terms of a return on investment?
Do I have plan for using Twitter?
Is my plan feasible, or am I trying to accomplish too much too soon?
Do I really believe Twitter will help me/ my business/ organization?
Do I have the discipline to persist, even when the ROI (Return on Investment) appears miniscule?
Am I sharing information that anyone actually wants?
Am I building my network?
Do I have the support of workmates, bosses and/or colleagues?

Most of the above questions actually apply to any type of social media and their use in online marketing. All of them are important to consider not only before you start Twittering but also every so often (weeky, monthly, quarterly) to see how your plan is being fulfilled – or not.

The problem with Twitter is that it looks so darn easy to use, but it takes a lot more persistent, consistent effort to use effectively.

Should Your Business Tweet on Twitter?

Raj Dash — Thu, 11 Jun 2009 12:00:01 +0000

If you’ve spent any time on the Internet lately, you’ve probably heard of Twitter. You might even be considering using this microblogging service to promote your business or consulting/ freleancing practice. Simple question: should you tweet for your business?

The answer to that question is less simple. Just as not every business needs a website, even in this decade, I don’t feel that every business needs to twitter. At least not yet anyway. Unless your business is based online. Then it’s a necessity in your SMM (Social Media Marketing) toolkit, unless you have more effective means of consistently promoting your business and website.

If you’re not sure what to do, check out David Berkowitz article, Ten Ways to Decide if Your Business Should Twitter, over at Social Media Insider. Also consider reading Geekpreneur’s free ebook, A Geek’s Guide to Promoting Yourself and Your Online Business in 140 Characters or Less with Twitter.

Twitter Making Other Companies Money

Raj Dash — Tue, 16 Dec 2008 19:35:44 +0000

Microblogging/ micronews service Twitter might not be making any money yet (and turning down $600M buyout offers), but Dell Computers apparently has managed to monetize Twitter use for themselves – to the tune of $1M. They’ve done this over the past year and a half using Twitter to send out sales alerts to their “followers.”

Given that news, don’t be surprised if Twitter soon monetizes by offering premium/ business accounts with more features – for a price. They probably needed proof of concept before they can roll out such an offering. (That is, would there be any incentive for anyone to want to pay for Twitter?)

Free Promotion by Twitter e-book from Geekpreneur

Raj Dash — Wed, 11 Jun 2008 01:35:38 +0000

John at Geekpreneur will shortly be releasing a free 48-page ebook about how to use Twitter for promotion. It’s called “A Geek’s Guide to Promoting Yourself and Your Online Business in 140 Characters or Less with Twitter,” but it’s not just for geeks and not just for promoting an online business. In the GeekCast below, I give a quick overview of the ebook, as well as a short discussion of how some people – celebrities and non-celebrities – are effectively using Twitter to promote themselves. Total run time is just under seven minutes.

Add GeekCast epi#1 to your page