04/07/2009
On January 3rd of 2008, I wrote a blog post entitled: Stop Twittering and Focus on Your Business
Well, I’m not issuing an official retraction of my stance on twitter… YET. But that day might be coming soon.
In the 16 months since I wrote that post, twitter has grown at a rapid pace, and has emerged to the forefront of the Internet’s attention.
While the principles of business building have not changed in that time period, twitter’s value as a business tool certainly has increased.
Take a look at the following chart from compete.com:
As you can see, twitter’s traffic has more than tripled in the past few months, and nearly doubled in the past month alone!
Within the past couple of weeks, twitter has reached a new point of critical mass. It was already hot, but now it’s the hottest thing on the web. It’s all over the news, it’s all over the blogosphere, and everyone’s talking about it.
Rats. I can no longer ignore it 😉
I make no apologies for not being an early adopter. There have been countless web 2.0 social networking sites launched in recent years (many of which are still bigger than twitter), and we’ve seen many of them fizzle.
I don’t want to waste my time on here-today-gone-tomorrow tactics, when I can focus on tried and true business building principles (at least as tried and true as you can get for the Internet).
But there comes a point when you have to adapt. You have to be flexible. You have to accept new technologies into your existing business structure.
When commerce started moving online, I’m sure there were plenty of old school businesses who said… we don’t need the Internet. We can keep doing things the way we’ve always done them. And those are the companies that are dying today.
The inability to adapt will cause you to be left in the dust… particularly in the online world.
Is that the case with twitter?
I don’t know yet. I’m not yet convinced, but it’s becoming more compelling by the day.
I’ve got some specific reasons why I think twitter is here to stay, and other reasons why I still think it’s totally overrated. But I’m going to save those thoughts for part 2 of this article. First I want to find out what YOU think…
I’ve set up a twitter survey to discover some current uses of and attitudes regarding twitter. This is for twitter users AND non-users.
To take the survey please go to:
You will receive a special gift just for participating in the survey. I will reveal ALL of the results in part 2 of this article here on my blog next week.
In the mean time, I’ve set up my first twitter account so I can start following and being followed 🙂
By the way, IF twitter IS going to be a long lasting business tool… it’s certainly not too late to join the game.
On December 16, 2007 (just a couple weeks before I made my “Stop Twittering” post), my friend Joel Comm made his first post about twitter on his blog. He announced that he had joined twitter, although he also said “I’m still not sure what the point is of Twitter… I’m not sure I get it.” The post went by with no fanfare, and even today it has zero comments (LOL, sorry Joel).
But he took a risk on it, and within a year he was writing the first mainstream book about twitter (Twitter Power), which went on to become a best-seller, and today he is one of the most sought-after twitter experts in the world. He has over 40,000 followers, and he’s adding about 1,000 per DAY at the moment.
And all of that happened just in the past year. If twitter continues to follow its upward curve of growth, the NEXT year will be much bigger than the last year, which means there’s still plenty of time to grow your own following as twitter grows.
What are your thoughts about twitter? Please take my survey and then leave your comments here on my blog.
Have a great day!
Hi Eric:
Have not yet joined Twitter as I’m just getting started in this business and, with so much to learn, there just hasn’t been enough time to find out yet what Twitter might be all about — maybe a little later on :O)
Hey Eric!
That’s just funny; I received an email from you today, asking my opinion of Twitter, after I had already spent about 8 hours today learning about Twitter, picking minds of marketers who use it, and just gaining information about marketing on Twitter! I was just thinking Twitter has been growing so big, I have to learn more about it.
I have a lot to learn about Internet Marketing, and I first thought social media / web 2.0 just didn’t have the targeted audience. People on those sites are looking to socialize, not purchase products.
Now I just think I wasn’t thinking about it the right way.
Hey Eric, is Twitter your first Social Media site you’ve tried, as a vehicle of traffic?
Thanks, I did take your survey, I only use Twitter occasionally. I did connect with a gentleman in Kenya, I am working at connecting him with Humanity Unites Brilliance, a unique business model that provides an economic engine to provide sustained giving to eradicate poverty, provide clean water, education and financial literacy to the world. If he can connect with a gentleman who lives in Kenya that can help the children he is working with, my time will be well spent on Twitter. Also hope to connect with others with similar interests.
I am in your Erics Tips program and fairly new to all the Social Networking scenarios but after seeing Twitter used on CNN and other TV sites i feel it will become a great tool for people to directly connect to a individual and at the same time to many others with similar interests.
hey eric, enjoy your videos. The drift I get from twitter is when people want alot of followers but they don’t follow back they don’t like that 🙂 But I use it mostly to follow news and information and to build a following as well for my website that is still being worked on so hurry up with more info:)
Hi Eric,
I have just started using Twitter a couple months ago. I resisted at first as I thought it was stupid and nothing more than an Instant Message tool on steroids. Then I started learning how to use it to promote my business/website, and I have been using it in that aspect since then. It’s still early but it has definitely increased the traffic to my site. Yet to be seen if any of that will turn into sales or opt-ins for my list. I do not have time to use it for socializing as it would take up too much of my time better spent on building my business.
Hi Eric!
I receive your Eric’s Tips regularly but I started to read them just week earlier and right now I am in lesson 19 (Ha!). I got your Push Button Marketer. I have not started to use it yet. Now, I think I can use it after finishing your lesson upto 38 or so.
Yea, I did actually opened an account in Twitter. My account is kochi97 and just now I actually posted there a post saying : “I am reading Eric’s Tips and right now I am in lesson 19. But Eric’s Tips is in lesson 38. I will catch up within a week or so though”
Thanks Eric
Kamrul
I joined so I could get a free down load, but I still do not have a clue on what’s the big deal!What I have read is like a drunken party and you are the only one sober.
Eric,
I have not joined Twitter so really did not know how to answer some of your questions like what is going to be the impact of Twitter (my wording). I do intend to join. I don’t know if I will have time to keep checking about some one asking me what I am doing now.
Love the survey, can’t wait for the results. I did an informal poll of my followers by sending them an auto-dm that said “Thanks for the follow, by the way, do you use Twitter for business or just keeping in touch with friends?”
Over 75% that responded said either “just business” or “business and friends”. I wonder what your results will show.
In reference to you query about “Twitter,” in the future please add one more check box for your questions with, “Who Cares?” You might be surprised as to how many people just couldn’t care less about these things.
After watching Comcast’s thing about twitter, with some twitter girl showing how all the celebs are now being stalked online with this thing, I personally wouldn’t use it even if they offered to pay me.
Mostly, it is an invasion of privacy, too many ways people who won’t check out the facts for themselves will be lied to, let’s face it, it’s another gossip tool for all of these people out there who flat don’t have a life and try to live through someone elses. Put another way, soap opera time on the net. Back to the original point, who really cares. Nuff Said…
I am using Twitter with two of my lists, one os in spanish. Since it is an automatic connection with my blogs and my autoresponders it makes it easyer for my suscribers to follow me on my messages. I think it is a great communication tool.
If some of my e mails do not get oppened, they still have a chance at my blogs and another one at twitter. Besides, there is people following me at twitter that are not signed at my lists and they have the messages.
I think its a great marketing tool. And a pretty easy one too.
hi Eric,
you have done an excellent start. your blog is mind blowing. it’s very informative, full of ideas and updated information.
Every bodies gonna hate me, but that’s ok.
In short your survey questions “Suck”
Many of the questions should have had “NONE OF
THE ABOVE”
Many I had to pick “Don’t know” when the REAL
answer wasn’t an option/available.
Twitter’ers/Twittering are just wasting time.
Many are doing it during working hours or
worse yet, while their driving!!!
Twittering is just like ICQ was when it came out;
everybody jumped on and had a billzillion friends,
but how many still use it today?! I remember
having hundreds of friends — today it’s maybe
15.
One of the biggest benefits ICQ had was file transfers, and not to many users know it.
Again! Twittering is a waste of time!
Now everyone all together go “BOOOOOOO! HISSSS!”
Twitter as said above is another tool or network which can be used best for building relationships. Facebook -I just don’t get but Twitter I do.
Sadly many marketing are clueless and spam twitter with crude sales tactics or too many tweets at one time.
A fast way to be unfollowed!
I look forward to you making one of your Eric’s Tips videos on Twitter
All The Best
BTW some blogs have a box where I can put my twitter id…
Hi Eric,
I’m not big on social websites. Goodness, there’s not enough time in my day as it is. I suppose it could be helpful for one’s business, but right now, it’s definitely not for me. I have a Facebook account but almost only go there when I receive a message from someone. But I really enjoyed your article and I love surveys. :-))
I have a twitter account. I’m getting people follow me every day and the problem I see is that once you start following someone you get all their messages and some of them are tweeting every couple of minutes so there are so many messages that I don’t read them. So I’m still trying to work out “what’s the point?”
I like the tips I get from you, but I don’t understand how to use twitter for business.
Hi Eric,
I took your survey but must admit I haven’t tried twitter personally for any reason. I have read a few tweets from other people but really didn’t enjoy it. I know I am not a good judge for the application at this time for either business or social networking. I have thought about trying it but it takes so much time and I am already juggling that! I receive your emails and do enjoy those. 🙂
I am interested in seeing if you stick with it and if you believe, in the final analysis, that it is worth the involvement. I generally agree with your perspective so… we’ll see.
Totally agree with Luc as indeed are any social network types. We didn’t need them until they were “sold” to us, and I think that using them as a direct marketing tool will then spoil it and people will just go off and use another new site.
Twitter is Proof Positive of my long held belief, that the average internet user has the attention span of a fruit-fly. 😉
Hi Eric,
If I could ever work out what the questions were that were asked I’d be able to work out the stupid answers you see on the sites you’ve wasted your time visiting. I neither have the time or energy to visit a gaggle of gigglers telling each other how many tissues they’ve used to wipe their noses, well that’s what I presume they’ve asked. I guess it’s horses for courses and some people find it worthwhile and others like me find it idiotic. Thank you for all the chance to put my thoughts across and for all your info it’s really great.
Pingback: 10 Examples of Messages To New Followers On Twitter
For someone who is fairly new to Twitter, you’ve identified some really great questions. I’m looking forward to reading the results!
Took the survey-useful. Discovered Twitter about 4weeks ago and I find it fascinating. Where else could I meet a stripper,marketeer, and a housewife all talking together. Its addictive tho’ be warned. As to its potential for selling–I think that at lot of people are missing the point and are charging straight in to push their products–ignoring the social aspect of Twitter. I do not think that long term that will work, people just stop following you and then you could so easily fall into spamming.
when I first joined I was swamped especially as I didn’t really understand it, but I persisted and now I am able to skim messages for interesting things, and hopefully contribute to the ethos by regularly tweeting. One thing that has annoyed me is the 2k limit put on following by twitter, yet some people have way over that, I’m still trying to find out how they do that. Will let you know if I find out or alternatively if anyone knows please let me know.
Eric… I started to use Twitter because sometimes you just have to go with the flow. Facebook really is for communicating with people you already know. Twitter allows you to meet people with mutual interests, helps you build your business, and actually allows you to build a better relationship with your customers/followers. The only thing I would recommend with Twitter is that you cant always be about business. You have to be social at times.
Hi Eric.
I just filled in your survey. Although I’ve had a Twitter account for some time, I have really only been exploring its possibilities and haven’t yet used it regularly.
Like any social networking tool, I think you have to devote a lot of time to it for it to be effective. But the thing I prefer about twitter over other sites is that it is simpler and more easily integrated with other systems. You don’t have to write reams of info to get your message out there and you can do it without being chained to a computer all day.
Thanks to the power of Joomla, I have just integrated Twitter with my own new social networking site (currently in pre-launch). Not only can my users display their own latest tweets on their profile pages, but all the news and articles that my users post on my site will automatically be posted to my Twitter account with a link back to the article. All very cool!
Hi Eric.
Twitter is great, I’m now following you on twitter too, hope you will follow me back.
Currently doing your video course. it’s SUPER.
I even recommended your course to others on twitter. Hope it has paid off for you.
Keep up the good work.
Abraham
If I ever figure how to use Twitter maybe it will be more important in my plan. Now I have over 500 followers but have seen NO difference in my blog/websites stats related to Twitter. StumbleUpon has been the champ for me.
Eric … 7 or 8 months ago, I agreed with your opinion of Twitter. Like you, I am reconsidering and have joined. Twitter has come a long way in the past few months. Let’s all make it a good place to do business with some fun in it. regards … Ken
Hey, cool Blog as always Eric. I have just created your survey. I just started using Twitter and as I was taking your survey a light bulb shines inside my fore head. LOL. I see that you can leave behind for you tweet your survey which is real cool. Then you can leave behind a message that says follow me on tweeter. So I see this is a very good marketing tool to get your message out, keep people updated on what you are doing and creating a better relationship with your friends, follower and customers. So I am going to do some more research on doing what you do, I like the concept and I think Twitter will be a great tool marketers can use to get advantage of the marketer. Hey talk about twitter, Follow me at http://twitter.com/Ray48021, I have just followed you.
Also read my blog post, The Science of Being Rich, this was written by Wallace D Wattle in 1910 and is a cool book, Check it out.
http://officialinternetmarketingexpert.com/Blog2
Take Care,
and Remember,
God Helps Those Who Help Themselves.
I really don’t have a clue about Twitter or any of the other social networks. I know I need to learn it for my on-line businesses, but like most middle agers, I don’t really have the time or interest in the social networks.
Hey, Eric, I filled out the survey, if you can send me a email with the gift, I would appreciate it. I must have clicked off of the page, I tried taking the survey again, but the system wouldn’t allow me.
So if you can send that to me, I would appreciate that,
Read my Post, The Science of Being Rich
http://officialinternetmarketingexpert.com/Blog2
And Follow Me at
Tweets by Ray48021
Take Care,
Ray
Hi Eric –
You should have an option form on your thanks page. I know you emailed the request to you list but you should consider having one on the thanks page for the traffic you get via us tweeting the survey request. There’s not a lot on that page and it would jump out at you. Just saying/suggesting.
Thanks for the gift but I have the plr for that. Nice to offer something but I get plenty from your Eric’s Tips newsletter so I have already been pregifted;-)
Never really like multiple choice surveys. Always a few questions that don’t quite fit. You have put together a darn good survey as surveys go.
I’ll tell you 2 of the things I use. Qwitter – emails you when some body stops following you. I notice it’s usually a person with a high follow count (thousands) most of the time. Qwitter tells you what the last thing you tweeted before they stopped following. Doesn’t bother me I just say what I want.
Your Twitter Karma is a fav. You put your ID and password and hit Whack. That shows every body by last updated but there’s a drop menu for alphabetical ascending descending and another for followers following etc…
It’s shows the persons avatar, if they’re following you, if you follow them. You can click and go to their twitter page. There is a tic box next to each one. At the page bottom you can select this like bulk follow/unfollow/block.
I go back and check out people I decided not to follow at first. I don’t follow every one instantly. I check their tweet stream and their site if they have one. I basically check to see they aren’t tweeting pages of thanks for following tweets and I like to see they are interacting with other people. If they just broadcast their stuff and aren’t social I don’t follow back. If you go through your followers on twitter it cant be a real pain but Your Twitter Karma makes it a breeze to go back and check people you haven’t followed yet.
John’s Tip lol – If your using a tool that has an option to send out a thanks for following message don’t send it out as a tweet send it as a DM. I hate to go through hundred of thanks for following tweets to find the real tweets I want to read. Many people will unfollow or block you for it. I think some people do it just to get a high update count. Others just don’t know any better.
Another thing that bothers many people is when you try to send them to a sales page in the first DM. Like – Thanks for following me check this out (and it goes to a sales page). Very amateur. Establish friendly contact first and ease into the marketing aspect if that’s your intent. Check out my blog/site, if you’d like to sign up to my newsletter and get a free gift or thanks for the follow here’s a free ebook seem to work find without being obtrusive. I’m done.
Talked about the tools but didn’t give the url’s.
Qwitter – http://useqwitter.com/
Your Twitter Karma – http://dossy.org/twitter/karma/
Better late than never;-P
John
No idea what twitter is. Only just found out about Blogger!!!
I’d have to pretty much agree with Bob…for the most part. I can see how it may be used as a marketing tool but I think you’d have to outsource it for it to be effective and not take a huge amount of your time. But if you outsource it then it would take the “real” out of it.
One thing I’ve noticed is it reminds me of a popularity contest, almost Jr. Highish in a sense. If you don’t immediately follow some people right back…they’ll un-follow you in a heartbeat! It’s almost like people don’t REALLY care “what you are doing” just follow me so I can brag about how many followers I have now. “Oh, look at me…see how popular I am!!” You can tell by my small following and followers that I’ve really not become gung-ho about it just yet. The fact that Google wants it now means something but I don’t know what.
Anyway there’s my 2 cents worth.
P.S. Eric, thanks for the download. Tricky way for you to gain around 10,000 followers in a hurry;) One more thing. I went into my secondary Twitter account and clicked “find people” and then put in your name…got no matches, so I put in ericstips and still got no matches! Thought that was kinda odd.
DS
Twitter just rocks!
Great Eric I will check out your web site.
Hi Eric, Twitter is an asset and can be utilized in ways that people haven’t even thought of yet. Everytime I log on I gather at least a half dozen excellent links to information blogs and sites that tweeters have found and are sharing with others. For me, so far, the effects of joining twitter have been all positive and productive. I’m learning from and sharing with people whom I’d never have known otherwise. Twitter is about interaction, relationship, sharing, giving and learning. IMO it deserves all the attention it gets.
I enjoyed taking your servey and getting the free gift. I will let my blog readers see this. Another way to make money with twitter is https://www.twittad.com/a/kI
Thank you for all your wonderful tips!
Sylvia
Philippe, chances are we were in the same class last summer! I just peeked at your blog. It is terrific! You clearly got a lot out of the 30 Day Challenge!
Thanks for the “heads up” on this one!
Funny how things we think are silly turn into such popular marketing toys. Twitter may be eclipsed by something similar if they don’t fix their constant down-time, but I like it and am finally starting to “get” the social marketing thing. Thanks for your informative and fun posts.
Eric, I read within the past week that Google has entered negotiations to purchase Twitter. If the deal goes through, I sure hope more functionality is written into the platform.
I imagine the biggest problem for most people is following a conversation (thread). Planting a hashtag in front of a keyword doesn’t really put you into the conversation. Right now you need a third party app to achieve that.
Openzine is a new article marketing site. It has a “bot” that tweets new publications on its site. That has brought 142 views to my “magazine” in about 20 days.
I see a lot of unused potential for Twitter. If the Google iniative is true, I believe we will see a lot more functionality written into the microblog without having to resort to third party apps that only partially accomplish the true exchange we all seek.
Hi Eric,
I think Twitter is an interesting place to get ideas about different things. I wish it was more links to click on, as I am a very qurios person and interested in new things… Ok…I know… FOCUS…I pay it with lack of focus… 🙂
I like what you have put together but I can’t seem to get any one to go to my web sites, but tons go to my blog. I have over 1300 sense I started it 6 months ago, it is a little depressing for one out of five to get traffic.
Hi Eric…I really like your blog and will definitely follow you on Twitter. I appreciate your effort in trying to help people learn about internet marketing. I took your survey but I am really new to Twitter and I see the biggest drawback to it as not having a training section on how to use Twitter. I think it is the wave of the future or present but for those of us ‘grandmothers and grandfathers’, learning how to use the tools of the internet (twitter, bloging, facebook, etc. is mind bogeling.) So I am looking forward to Joel’s book on how to use Twitter or anything else I can find on it now. I want to build my internet business, but I am a firm believer that you need to have relationship with your prospects and downline. I mean, how can one help their people if I don’t understand the basics of all this new stuff..especially Twitter. Well, I will end this now but just wanted you to know I appreciate yor emails and blogs.
you should check out twitter.com/TheSasqwatch
Thanks Luca, and thanks for the tweets 🙂