Does Twitter live up to the hype?

Posted February 24th, 2009 by Rebecca

Twitter is one of the most popular and least understood social media vehicles. This micro-blogging service is the equivalent of sending a 140-character SMS to upwards of 3,000,000 people at once.

Of course, some companies are concerned that as products become part of a customer conversation, some control may be lost. The trade-offs are that the dialogue with real, live customers can help you refine or improve your products to meet your customers needs. Not to mention Twitter lets you keep up with what your competitors are up to in real time.

Some of the most well-known uses of Twitter by advertisers include Zappos, Dell, BestBuy, Pepsico (Tropicana) and Amazon who are using Twitter to brand build without breaking the bank.

Other high-profile uses of Twitter include a Twitterer aboard the ferry headed to rescue the US Air passengers, a global Twestival event that raised money for clean water, Lance Armstrong staying connected to cycling fans and the LiveStrong community, and Democrats mobilizing to help elect Obama.

To fiind out more about the possibilties Twitter offers, check out this SlideShare presentation called “How Twitter Changed My Life”. It’s good food for thought about how Twitter can help you or your company expand your social network, stay on top of trends, have a genuine 1×1 relationship with your customers and ultimately spread the word.

Entry Filed under: Blogs, Online Communities, Social Networking, Web 2.0