I wrote this post earlier in the year for our
ContestforMoms.com mom blog and after some quick edits I wanted to share with you here.
If you don't already know about Twitter, (
Really, who hasn't heard of it?) it is a micoblogging/ social networking site that asks the question "What Are You Doing?". People micro blog throughout the day telling the world what they are doing as well as share links among other things.
Anyway, yesterday my husband asked me why I use twitter. He kind of sees it as a distraction and a time waster. I won't disagree with his assessment but I also won't fully agree that twitter is a complete time waster. It all depends on how you use it. Twitter, in fact, can be a very useful tool for bloggers and other website owners. So, I'm going to tell you how I use twitter.
1. I use twitter to let others know of new contests & sweepstakes I have posted on our website, ContestForMoms.com and reviews on AMomsReview.com among other things. I haven't always done this with twitter but now I see it as a way of utilizing twitter for the most benefit.
2. I use twitter for updates. For instance, if I update my blog I tell twitter.
3. I also use twitter to ask questions. Yesterday I asked the question: What are some things to do while in downtown Atlanta? and I received a multitude of helpful responses almost instantly!
4. Twitter is also kind of a virtual water cooler for many of us that work online specifically the WAHM crowd and it has been a great way to get to know each other more, follow what everyone is doing, and build relationships that I wouldn't have otherwise.
5. Lastly, I use twitter as a news source. Twitter is a great place for breaking news in your community.
So you see twitter can be useful for creating relationships, getting useful information, getting people to your site or blog, and building trust with your readers. Twitter lets other know that you are in fact human by all your random useless tweets such as (Hi. I'm awake. Need Coffee. or Just took the dog for a walk!) in between all the links and promotions you are doing. ;)
I admit that sometimes twitter is addictive, distracting and a time waster. But, overall, twitter can do things for your business if you use it the right way(which ultimately only you know what works best). Basically what I'm saying is don't sit at your computer all day twittering with the hope of it making you money (at least not directly).
You can follow me on
Twitter here. Don't forget to say hello when you sign up and if you are already using twitter, tell us your username so we can follow each other.
Some other great articles/posts about using Twitter:Newbies Guide To Twitter By Chris Brogan Why Twitter Isn't A Waste of Time by ProbloggerWhat In The World Is Twitter?Labels: twitter newbies, Twitter usability