Twitter is a pretty hot topic lately thanks to Oprah and Ashton Kutcher. Twitter use is growing meteorically and businesses need to get onboard. But there are many myths surrounding Twitter most of which I will attempt to dispel:
Myth #1: Most Twitter posts are pure drivel. Fact: There is a lot of poor quality content on the Internet. But when you visit websites, YouTube and blogs, you choose what you want to view. The same is with Twitter: follow the Twitterers who are providing high-quality, compelling content. Dumping the banal, ridiculous people you follow is as easy as changing your radio station.
Myth #2: I don't have anything to say on Twitter. Fact: You don't need to say anything. You can follow people on Twitter to keep up with news, learn about stuff, stay motivated, laugh at jokes and make friends. There is no "law" that you have to tweet to use Twitter. It's OK to just read the message. I'm surprised what I learn everyday on Twitter. Search out quality micro-bloggers and follow them.
Myth #3: I don't understand the Twitter lingo. Fact: All new technologies come with their own vocabulary and Twitter is no different. Fortunately there are only a few terms you need to know.
- Twitter - the application or website
- Twitterer - someone who posts messages on Twitter
- Tweet - a message posted by a Twitter user
- Retweet - reposting a message you receive to your followers so they can read it
- Reply or @reply - publicly replying to the sender of message you received
- Followers - people who subscribe to you so they can read your posts
- Following - people who you subscribe to so you can read their posts
Myth #4: I can't use Twitter because I don't know how to text message. Fact: You don't need to know how to text message or even need a mobile phone to use Twitter. Although Twitter was originally created for use with mobile phones, you can use Twitter via Twitter.com or with a desktop application such as
TweetDeck or
Seesmic.
Myth #5: I don't want to run up my text messaging bill. Fact: See Myth #4.
Myth #6: Twitter is not a business application. Fact: Twitter is an excellent application for providing your customers with added value and service, demonstrating your expertise with prospects, staying in touch with vendors, and keeping employees in sync. Twitter gives you a web presence and extend your brand. Check out this article about
using Twitter for customer service.
Myth #7: I heard Twitter is addicting. Fact: It's very addicting.
