Online Marketing Blog - Latest Comments in Reader Poll: How do you use Twitter?

Re: Reader Poll: How do you use Twitter?

Vin Subrajmanan — Mon, 30 Jun 2008 13:03:37 -0000

Twitter being useful? Course it can. It's a gigantic marketing tool that is fairly benign in its aggressiveness. The important thing about using web-based marketing on a social network like this is to make sure you aren't spamming, aren't pushy or annoying, which will alienate existing and future clientèle. There's a great survey
related to this run by MindShare, a customer service analysis company. Also, Twitter is pretty awesome for simply keeping in touch!

Re: Reader Poll: How do you use Twitter?

~julz — Mon, 12 May 2008 18:25:06 -0000

All my other sites, networks, etc. take so much work, I feel like I need a site housekeeper, maybe I should outsource to India...anyways Twitter keeps it short and sweet and covers so much territory. For a funny story about outsourcing your life, check out: http://www.smartmoney.com/e...

Re: Reader Poll: How do you use Twitter?

Shirley de Rose — Mon, 12 May 2008 18:25:00 -0000

So many sites - so little time. But Twitter makes the cut for me because I want to 'know" those I follow on a more personal level - what makes them tick. So I really enjoy the insights, even when someone gives the cat his personal can of tuna vs cat food. Sharing experiences is what life is all about! Besides, it keeps me sane to know I'm not the only one out there thinking crazy thoughts or sometimes doing the family thing.

Re: Reader Poll: How do you use Twitter?

Toby — Mon, 12 May 2008 17:53:17 -0000

Lee - the extent and caliber of the network is amazing. "met" and secured a top speaker for an event, interviewed a ceo of a billion dollar corporation, received quick feedback. what surprised me is the extent that twitter has developed into a community where people feel connected to the extent that they do reach out and help each other. i think the sharing of personal experiences .. even the mundane .. increases that willingness to 'care.'

Re: Reader Poll: How do you use Twitter?

Lee Odden — Mon, 12 May 2008 17:48:09 -0000

@Britopian - Thanks Michael - I do too.

I think you're right Lisa, online changes so frequently, something like Twitter can keep you up to date and quickly (like the China Earthquake or Google's Friend Connect).

Next gen tools will be about filtering the noise I think.

@chiropractic - Michael D. that's a great story. WSJ? Please be sure to drop the link when it publishes.

Twitter can be a great connector Barbara - world wide and in real time. Powerful.

Re: Reader Poll: How do you use Twitter?

Our Monmouth — Mon, 12 May 2008 17:42:44 -0000

Lee-
Dragged me in with a Tweet....

I really like TwitterLocal as a local networking tool. I have made a number of new connections just by listening.

Re: Reader Poll: How do you use Twitter?

Jennifer Navarrete — Mon, 12 May 2008 17:42:30 -0000

Twitter has allowed me to keep in touch with folks around the globe who are as passionate about podcasting, tech and social media as I am. It can be a lonely world when you are the only person in your immediate vicinity who gets it. The folks on Twitter keep me informed and entertained. It's like having all of my friends within fingertip reach.

Re: Reader Poll: How do you use Twitter?

robin seidner — Mon, 12 May 2008 17:42:12 -0000

Lee,

I use twitter like I would RSS, if I had the time and patience. Its frankly much easier to check out content after someone else does - I get my network's good housekeeping seal of approval, so to speak. Also, many of the folks I follow are people whose blogs I would read, so I can get a quick snapshot of what they are writing about and decide to visit or not.

As for me, I tweet about random stuff in my life, also about my blog posts, or questions I have.

Re: Reader Poll: How do you use Twitter?

Barbara Ling — Mon, 12 May 2008 17:41:55 -0000

I'm a networking kind of person, so I use Twitter to touch base with the rest of humanity. No phones are required. :)

Barbara

Re: Reader Poll: How do you use Twitter?

Michael Dorausch — Mon, 12 May 2008 17:38:26 -0000

Thanks to responding to a tweet from @ChrisWinfield (in less than 2 min) I may have some major press this week or next. That would probably fall under building relationships with those in my network.

Re: Reader Poll: How do you use Twitter?

Michael Brito — Mon, 12 May 2008 17:37:43 -0000

hope this helps with your 200 goal.

Re: Reader Poll: How do you use Twitter?

Lisa Hoffmann — Mon, 12 May 2008 17:11:47 -0000

I love using twitter to network and socialize, but I also use it to stay on top of what's new in the tech world. I'm new to social media (although I've learned enough lately to earn some respect from my teenager - and that's no easy task) and have a hard time keeping up as everything changes at the speed of light.

Since twitter is pretty new to the social media landscape, a lot of users are tech pros and constantly send out links and tips about what's happening, so I learn much faster than I would otherwise. I'm a certified junkie and use twhirl to manage my habit.

Re: Reader Poll: How do you use Twitter?

Lee Odden — Mon, 12 May 2008 13:17:51 -0000

Dee, Michael and Shannon, thank you for responding to the Twitter poll and also for your comments! I'm hoping we can get the number of respondents over 200 before reporting the results.

Re: Reader Poll: How do you use Twitter?

Shannon Nelson — Mon, 12 May 2008 13:14:37 -0000

Since I could only chose 2 reasons I use Twitter, here are all of them:

1--Use as a reading hub in place of RSS for some sites (CNN, WSJ, NYT, etc)
2--Networking
3--Adding more depth to relationships I already have
4--Getting to know those I just came in contact with and allow them to get to know me
5--Learning about new social media tools/trends etc.

Re: Reader Poll: How do you use Twitter?

Michael Jensen — Mon, 12 May 2008 10:48:18 -0000

Lee, I tried out twitter about 9 months ago and quickly saw how consuming/draining it could be, so I gave up. A few weeks ago I thought I'd give it another chance, and the very first day I did I ended up with a topic to blog about and got a link from someone I was twittering with that gave me the idea. Not a bad start, so I gave it more of a chance.

Now I find myself tightening with my network and meeting new people in the SEO industry. Following others that aren't familiar with me and getting in on a conversation has helped me to meet new people and even build some new tools (livetwitting.com with Danny Sullivan) and another one that you helped me get started, to be released soon).

You can't let it drain your day and keep you from work, above all. It is good to use a program like twhirl that isn't too distracting but gives you quick updates if you're interested.

Great topic Lee!

Re: Reader Poll: How do you use Twitter?

Dee Jackson — Mon, 12 May 2008 08:51:42 -0000

Hi Lee
I'm with Ben W - work freelance from home in the middle of nowhere so twitter helps make me feel less isolated. I'm a translator & follow lots of entertaining dutch & brazilian tweeters (translators & otherwise - keeps my languages fresh!) Don't like to think i'm in the cat camp & haven't yet succumbed to the peculiarly strong gastronomy faction but am weirdly fascinated by tweets on sandwiches, breakfasts and baked goods...keep up the good work

Re: Reader Poll: How do you use Twitter?

Jacqueline — Mon, 31 Mar 2008 17:03:35 -0000

Does anyone have a life outside the internet any more? Is twitter etc etc taking over?

Re: Reader Poll: How do you use Twitter?

Qrystal — Mon, 31 Mar 2008 12:21:49 -0000

Wow, I was surprised to see that my reason for using twitter was up on this poll: I just wanted a quick and easy way to update my facebook status without being dragged into whatever new came through the facebook news feed.

And then I added a widget to my blog, too. So I suppose I'm also using it as a form of microblogging, but mostly in the sense of "status updates" still.

I actually had first signed up to twitter for using with the Toodledo task manager, but haven't gotten into the hang of using it for this reason (using Jott to send to Toodledo instead).

Re: Reader Poll: How do you use Twitter?

Lee Odden — Thu, 06 Mar 2008 20:57:41 -0000

This is great, nearly 100 responses so far. This post just made the home page of Sphinn, so hopefully we'll get a few more replies.

Interesting insights Stephan. That "in the interest of brevity" thing, that's clever.

Re: Reader Poll: How do you use Twitter?

Stephan Spencer — Thu, 06 Mar 2008 19:55:48 -0000

Twitter is the new water cooler.

In the interest of brevity here, I just wrote a post about my experience so far with Twitter on my blog at http://www.stephanspencer.c...

Re: Reader Poll: How do you use Twitter?

Jason Bartholme — Thu, 06 Mar 2008 18:45:55 -0000

I use Twitter two different ways. One communicate with like-minded people. I am the lone SEO at my day job and often need advice or recommendations from others in the industry. It's easy to tweet your question and have it reach a good number of people that know what you are talking about.

Also, Twitter is a great way to interact with new people. Since Brain Chappell's post on Marketing Pilgrim of 200+ Search Marketers using Twitter (http://www.marketingpilgrim..., I have almost doubled the amount of followers. It's good to make new friends and contacts.

The bonus reason is to nicely pander for social bookmarking votes, diggs, and saves.

Re: Reader Poll: How do you use Twitter?

NewSunSEO — Thu, 06 Mar 2008 14:53:52 -0000

Twitter is a very good resource to get ideas from and keep in contact with your family, friends, and co-workers. It is an easy way to communicate and I recommend it to everyone that hasn't tried it yet.

Re: Reader Poll: How do you use Twitter?

rsomers — Thu, 06 Mar 2008 11:53:49 -0000

For me, Twitter is a constant stream of information, insights and inanities that keeps my brain engaged. It also keeps me connected with fellow travellers in the social media marketing sphere.

If I may shill for my blog, I've launched a Twitter business plan contest . I'm interested in seeing if people can encapsulate the basics of a business plan into a single tweet

Re: Reader Poll: How do you use Twitter?

Janet Meiners — Wed, 05 Mar 2008 22:02:41 -0000

I Twitter to keep up on our industry - SEO/Internet marketing - from the best minds.
When I worked from home Twitter kept me sane. It's also a good place to get ideas to blog about.

Janet
www.twitter.com/newspapergrl

Re: Reader Poll: How do you use Twitter?

marti garaughty — Wed, 05 Mar 2008 18:08:28 -0000

I'm just getting into twitting and sort of use it like music in the background while I work online, keeping an eye on what my fellow twits are discovering, sharing, etc...