Twitter, Anyone?

What makes a successful tweet? What makes a successful tweeter? With all the Twitter-hype, you’ve probably been asking yourself these questions. So let’s break it down. Who uses Twitter and how can you use it for yourself or business?

With over 175 million registered Twitter users and more than 65 million tweets a day, you may think that everyone around you is an active tweeter. Well, not exactly. According to a Barracuda Labs study, of those 175 million Twitter users only 21% are actively tweeting.  That means that more than 138 million users have registered accounts but don’t do anything with them. Is it because they are asking: what’s the point?  Or is it because they don’t know how to use it to benefit themselves or their businesses?

Twitter describes itself as, “a service for friends, family, and co-workers to communicate and stay connected through the exchange of quick, frequent messages.” Well, doesn’t that sound great?  Twitter has made it easy for you to send sweet Aunt Sally quick, frequent messages, but how about utilizing it in other ways…

• Consider using Twitter to do some personal branding.  Use this opportunity to develop a name for yourself.  Show the world of Twitter just how approachable and connected you are to the idea of social media.

• Undecided if the Apple iPad is for you?  Send a quick tweet to your followers and ask for their opinions.  Collective thoughts from fellow consumers can point you into the right direction when you’re uncertain about which products to purchase.

• Have you started a new website and don’t have any followers? Direct traffic to your page by tweeting about it or ask your friends to retweet for a faster and further message.

• You don’t subscribe to RSS Feeds? Tsk. Tsk.  Well, thanks to Twitter users, articles and sites are often linked to tweets for alternative news coverage.

• Are you hosting a soiree to celebrate this year’s success?  Blast out a tweet to invite and remind everyone that helped you achieve your goals.  This is a hassle-free way to open a new line of communication between you and your audience.

So now you have a few creative tips to get the ball rolling on the Twitter court, however, what happens if you don’t have any followers that will read your tweets?  In that case, try to think of Twitter as any other website.  When building your Twitter profile remember that people can only follow you if they know that you exist.  So starting today, we challenge you to set aside a few minutes a day to building relationships through tweets.  Strive to create that personal brand for yourself and show everyone just how socially savvy you are!

We’d love to hear from you! What are your thoughts? What’s your Twitter experience?