Over the last couple of weeks I’ve been experiencing Twitter!

Twitter is a social networking site that is also a bit like a mini blog. The concept of Twitter revolves around the question of ‘What are you doing now?”. With Twitter you answer this question as little or as often as you like, each time containing your answer to 140 characters or less.

It is like a whole new world all in itself and just like Facebook it can be extremely addictive. If you have no idea about Twitter then I suggest you start by watching a simple and quick video that I have posted at:

www.blogbybelinda.com/twitter-for-beginners.htm

Started as a side project in March of 2006, Twitter has grown into a real-time short messaging service that works over multiple networks and devices. In countries all around the world, people follow the sources most relevant to them and access information via Twitter as it happens-from breaking world news to updates from friends.

You can follow others - friends, colleagues, industry experts, famous people, teachers and more. And of course, they can follow you back - or not. This is where it is different to Facebook where you have to accept friends, with Twitter the Follow can be one way or both ways.

From a business perspective I would say the biggest benefits include:

• visibility for yourself and your business
• promoting your website and blog 
• building relationships with your network of followers and those you follow.

Is it for everyone and every business?

It likely could be if you are creative in thinking about how it could work for you. I find it is especially beneficial to service professionals and businesses that offer services and can use the medium to build credibility and trust.

It can also be great for product based businesses provided your product is interesting to people or you can find an interesting angle or two to talk about your product and industry.

It does require commitment to update regularly (just like a blog). Opening a twitter account and doing nothing with it will not result in any benefits. This medium is a little easier because you only have to update with 140 characters or less, so even if you only updated once a day it could still be effective for you.

Most experts are saying you need to update several times a day to really have an impact. The more you update and the more interesting your updates the more followers you will gain and therefore the more results you are likely to receive.

Come and join in the party - go to www.twitter.com and Follow me at www.twitter.com/webchameleon  

Then just get in there and have some fun, make some twitter noise, join in the conversation. I hope to connect with you there!

by Belinda Jackson

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