Twitter Provides Promotional Option for the Masses

Corporate decision-makers, kids, stay-at-home moms and independent contractors alike are all choosing Twitter as a promotional tool. While a good portion of the population remains puzzled about this cyber connection apparatus that's been around since 2006,

a growing number of go-getters are becoming proficient "tweeters."

What exactly is Twitter and what's all this chirping about?

According to Twitter's website, www.twitter.com, the company avails a message routing system that enables people to answer the question, "What are you doing?" and to emit their answers through mobile texting, instant messaging, or through the web. Also allowing messages from sms and third party API projects, the system provides a simple way for people to connect and stay in touch with each other.

By using Twitter, college kids can let their friends and relatives know what they're up to, while nonprofit executives can use it as a bullhorn to announce agency initiatives. According to a recent CNN report, even police departments are using Twitter to alert the public about critical information.

People can send messages, known as tweets, and have an automatic audience.

Can Twitter be the gravitational pull toward everyone's cause?

Many are asking questions.

Should corporations spend scare economic resources on expensive trinket giveaways that advertise their services in order to boost business? With tough economic times causing many companies to examine their budgets for chop options, more and more firms are looking for cheaper ways to promote their offerings. A crop of businesses are zeroing in on Twitter as their cost-saving savior.

According to information posted on TWIBS (Twitter Business Directory) at www.twibs.com, the following companies are among more than 6000 listed as Twitter users: DunkinDonuts, MTV and ESPN. Additional corporations who have checked the Twitter yes box include GE, Netflix and SoutwestAir.

Even prominent nonprofit organizations like the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society are tapping into the tweet life of Twitter to beef up their fundraising projects such as their Team In Training Program. This is according to a site search on www.twitter.com, which brings up the Society's project page as http://twitter.com/teamintraining.

Guess who else has a Twitter account?

A quick entering spree on the search page, www.viptweets.com, also turned up Twitter connections for Al Gore, Alanis Morissette and Mariah Carey.

Questioning whether or not to join the flock of tweet emitters?

A number of books-- including Daniel Clark's Twitter: Free Social Networking For Business - 100 Success Secrets to Increase Your Profits and Sales Using Twitter Business Strategies--have already come out on the market.

More information can be found at www.twitter.com.