Twitter – the good, the bad and the ugly
So how many of you are now using Twitter? Liv Design joined way back in 2007 when Twitter was a mere fledgling, with less than 350,000 users. And to be honest, we didn't really find it very useful. No interaction. No replies. Nothing interesting happening. Lots of people letting you know if they were on their way out or wishing you good night. Everyone we asked had never heard of it and had no intentions of joining. But then something seemed to happen. Like most things, the 'fad' came a along, closely followed by the bandwagon. Figures for Twitter put the worldwide number of users at over 14 million in March 2009, and growing. The success of social media (Web 2.0) makes prefect sense. It's only human to need to be heard, to have a desire to belong, and have an outlet to express feelings and opinion
But why would anyone want to communicate with total strangers across the world, in short messages (less than 140 characters)? It took a while for people to realise the benefits. Chat rooms, forums and texting are all common place and widely used on a personal level for social contact. But what about the benefits for businesses?
Firstly, it's free. You can market and advertise your product, service and business to your hearts content. Even with a short amount of characters you can put links to more indepth information on blogs and other websites to promote events, news, PR articles.
Secondly, it's immediate. As soon as you enter your 'tweet' (your message), it's out there in 'twitterland'. If you have some urgent news, offers or requirements you can let thousands of people know around the world in an instant.
Thirdly, it's great for reference and research. You have a whole global database of knowledge out there, the ability to tap into wordwide opinion. Yes, you have that to a certain degree on the web anyway but not in such a bespoke and personal format, and certainly not at such an immediate rate. If you need information, the chances are that your followers, or their followers, will be able to help. And that communication is on a global scale.
There are downsides to using Twitter though too. If your company is on Twitter the chance are that your competitors are on it too keeping tabs on your every move. You could be unwittingly supplying them with a whole host of facts, figures, client information and research. Care should be taken what information you provide.
It can easily become a breeding ground for dissent, rebellion and rumour. A disgruntled consumer, client or employer can quickly spread a damaging rumour or bad opinion. News, whether correct or completely fabricated, can spread like wildfire over Twitter.
Twitter looks like an excellent resource though, and a great way to make new contacts. Surely 14+ million people can't all be wrong can they? Or have we all just fallen for the hype?
But why would anyone want to communicate with total strangers across the world, in short messages (less than 140 characters)? It took a while for people to realise the benefits. Chat rooms, forums and texting are all common place and widely used on a personal level for social contact. But what about the benefits for businesses?
Firstly, it's free. You can market and advertise your product, service and business to your hearts content. Even with a short amount of characters you can put links to more indepth information on blogs and other websites to promote events, news, PR articles.
Secondly, it's immediate. As soon as you enter your 'tweet' (your message), it's out there in 'twitterland'. If you have some urgent news, offers or requirements you can let thousands of people know around the world in an instant.
Thirdly, it's great for reference and research. You have a whole global database of knowledge out there, the ability to tap into wordwide opinion. Yes, you have that to a certain degree on the web anyway but not in such a bespoke and personal format, and certainly not at such an immediate rate. If you need information, the chances are that your followers, or their followers, will be able to help. And that communication is on a global scale.
There are downsides to using Twitter though too. If your company is on Twitter the chance are that your competitors are on it too keeping tabs on your every move. You could be unwittingly supplying them with a whole host of facts, figures, client information and research. Care should be taken what information you provide.
It can easily become a breeding ground for dissent, rebellion and rumour. A disgruntled consumer, client or employer can quickly spread a damaging rumour or bad opinion. News, whether correct or completely fabricated, can spread like wildfire over Twitter.
Twitter looks like an excellent resource though, and a great way to make new contacts. Surely 14+ million people can't all be wrong can they? Or have we all just fallen for the hype?
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