So, by now (’cause of Oprah or Ashton, take your pick), you’ve probably heard about Twitter. I first heard of it back during the blog convention and then wrote about it later. I actually joined Twitter this past October but it hasn’t been until the last few weeks that I’ve stopped circling it overhead and really explored what it does. You’re probably thinking “MySpace, Facebook, Twitter…does this ever stop?!?” Well…no. Change never stops but that’s what I love. I do look forward to all the “new” and tapping into what is going on in the cultural and online zeitgeist. I wish I could stand still in one place and fast forward years into the future and see what is going to happen, what has happened, what we will become. It makes me sad that I won’t be around to experience the continual cycle of change — so I can only enjoy what is available in my life today. Carpe Diem! (BTW, has anyone seen the final scenes of the 2002 movie The Time Machine? That’s what I’m talkin’ about!)
Since I couldn’t figure out Twitter, I bought a book about it: Joel Comm’s Twitter Power. I’m having a blast learning what Twitter is all about and how it can help your company go beyond local. On the site, I’m following interesting people I might have never “met” and have become part of a crazy and exciting online conversation. Twitter even has an informative blog, various applications and a nice search engine. Mr. Comm also provides a beautiful website, Twitter Patterns, where you can download very pretty Twitter-only background designs for free. I haven’t even finished devouring the book yet and I’m already seeing results!
All great and wonderful — but how does this help business exactly? If you wrangle it well, Twitter can be an effective business tool. It does so by providing a new (and free) way to market your “brand”, selling your goods to those who are looking for it and making potential clients aware of your business. Also, you can join groups called Twibes and share pics with other Twitter users via TwitPic. Sometimes you can even help your industry — through Twitter, I found a company in PA looking for a faux finisher. I can always help find someone near them that can take on the commission. Love that! I feel good, they feel good, another artisan feels good. Win/Win.
So — I do hope you look into Twitter, if you haven’t already. I’m @fauxology in case you’d like to Follow Me. If you’re on Twitter, leave a comment with your Twitter address so that myself and others can look you up, too! I look forward to your tweets. Have a great day!
P.S. Many thanks to Randa Clay for that nice Twitter graphic!
Are you using tweetdeck?
I love twitter. It has helped me express myself in 140 characters or less, previously thought not possible. :)
Lucinda — thank you for the tip! Downloaded it and ON! So much better…
Angela, I know! I’m there w/ya — I’m getting the hang now of my 140 limit. ;)