As part of the application process for an internship at a video marketing firm, I was assigned to write a short essay on how Twitter can help businesses market their products and/or services. I figured it'd be appropriate to add to this blog as well, seeing as this is all about Internet marketing. Here goes...
When I first heard about Twitter back in 2006, I remember thinking that the concept sounded downright senseless. After all, could a website based on users "tweeting" 140-character observations and opinions really be effective or relevant? The answer is yes on both counts. It is now patently obvious that Twitter has myriad applications, not the least of which is as a powerful marketing tool for businesses of all kinds.
Owners, managers, and employees can instantly see what people have been saying about their businesses, simply by searching for its name in Twitter's search box. Doing so will bring up a stream of the most recent tweets containing the name of the business. Twitter also allows for near instantaneous interaction with millions of people. A store can announce special holiday events and each of its "followers" will be immediately informed -- a great way to broadcast sales or promotions without delay. Traditional avenues of advertising through magazines, television, and other "old" media simply cannot have such an impact. Moreover, anyone, from solo freelance photographers to enormous multinational corporations, can use this amazing marketing tool at no cost. In short, Twitter is the harbinger of a brand new type of marketing — one which relies upon genuine connection and real-time interaction between businesses and consumers.
