New Media Prof Blog

To Twitter or Not?

Posted on 12. Mar, 2009 by admin in For Students, New Media

I’m exhausted from keeping up with all my social networking.  Aren’t you – tell the truth?  Don’t get me wrong – I believe in it, I participate in it and I see the value it adds to any business person’s marketing strategy. In fact, I teach and preach it.   It removes any geographical boundaries and puts you and your business on the virtual billboard. However, I think what we are all struggling with a bit is – getting above the noise – am I right? Biz translation -  how to get beyond those you already know – get beyond those clients you already have!  Get out of your comfort zone! (I think we learned that somewhere in biz school).  This may be the reason why Twitter is so popular – the micro blog platform makes it easy to self-broadcast beyond your contact list, your buddy list, your Facebook friends or your ‘Linked-In’ network. But who are these people following you or me on Twitter? And what do they expect to get?  And so, as I have mulled this over and over, I got a Linked-In message last night from a former colleague at WBZ-TV asking for a recommendation for a videographer. Of course, I sent her a contact name, a L-I page and email address, etc.  Now THAT’S how it should work!  He gets business from someone in MY network! And don’t forget the Millennials – a whole new buying market – they’re looking at their BB and iPhones right now – is your business there where Millennials can find it?! Don’t just believe me  – this article in the NY Times, called Be It Twittering or Blogging, It’s All About Marketing – is perfect evidence. If you don’t have time to read the article, here’s a quick stat you need to know. “Facebook had 12 million users in December 2006. Now it has 175 million.” So don’t be a faint-heart – do what works for you and your business. Now get back to networking…and remember those virtual handshakes!

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