who refuses to use twitter?

[ploked]

just curious if anyone here is refusing to use twitter to market themselves, site or their business? if so, why are you choosing not to use twitter?

is it because you don't know how to use it?
because you don't understand the concept of twitter?
don't have time to keep up with it?
can't write anything that makes sense in less than 140 characters?
etc.

or is it something else?

[Melford Bibens]

I love twitter, fastest list builder in the world right now!

Make friends, then make sales!

[mdvaldosta]

I just don't like new things... but no seriously I don't have alot of time and I don't really see how it could make that much of a difference unless I release software or other tools. Correct me if I'm wrong. I just haven't given it much thought.

[Droopy Dawg]

Twitter CAN BE a very powerful marketing tool if you have a good following.

I don't have that kind of "juice" on Twitter, so I guess that's why I don't use it.

I'm hammered with alot of other projects, so I don't have time to devote to Twitter yet. Maybe one day

[stevenh512]

I love Twitter. When I feel like chatting, I fire up my Twitter client of the week (currently using Witty because I had some trouble with Tweetdeck) and there's usually someone on. As far as marketing, I also automate some things. Whenever I make a blog post or get an article approved on EzineArticles its gets posted to Twitter for me totally hands-free.

[Halhighlander]

Originally Posted by ploked

just curious if anyone here is refusing to use twitter to market themselves, site or their business? if so, why are you choosing not to use twitter?

is it because you don't know how to use it?
because you don't understand the concept of twitter?
don't have time to keep up with it?
can't write anything that makes sense in less than 140 characters?
etc.

or is it something else?

I think it would be foolish not to use Twitter. Just this morning I heard that Google is trying to buy Twitter. If that isn't reason enough to use Twitter I don't know what is!

Cheers,

Fred

[onlinemoney00]

Originally Posted by mdvaldosta

I just don't like new things... but no seriously I don't have alot of time and I don't really see how it could make that much of a difference unless I release software or other tools. Correct me if I'm wrong. I just haven't given it much thought.

I totally agree with you
I am not believing the hype on twitte, for me the time to results ratio is not worth it. I have tracked my traffic from different sources & I would rather spend my time on the most profitable one.

[nzdealer]

I hated twitter few months ago and now I cant live without it. It rocks and pops the internet hood

[Ron Killian]

As Steven said, it can be automated, so it's not always a time sucker. I've automated my almost completely and it's one of my bigger traffic referrals.

I'd think most people don't use it because they don't understand it, or how to use it to their advantage.

[Bruce Wedding]

I don't refuse to use it, in fact I may in the future. But right now, I don't have a use for it. Too busy with other things.

[stsnelson]

I know it's a great tool. However, I just can't justify taking time away from other things that are providing a really good ROI. I am testing it and will see what happens. Like everything else, you need to plan how you want to use Twitter.

[jbsmith]

Yes - use it to..

1. Research markets and find opportunties
2. Find potential JV's and associates
3. Get instant answers to urgent questions - just last evening I had a video editing question and had an expert answer within a few minutes
4. Build a relationship with my followers and friends (just blew past 1000 within a month)
5. Find new tools, ideas to write about, etc...

Lots of benefit in my business...

Jeff

[Kecia]

I love Twitter. I started using it as a social networking tool, similar to MySpace or Facebook. It just had friends on there. When I become more interested in promoting my writing services, I began networking with other writers. I have learned valuable information from others tweeting blog posts or other websites.

[Chris Kent]

I found it addictive, distracting, annoying. I don't use it anymore.

I might link my blogs/ezinearticles/aweber to it but that's it.

[Jill Carpenter]

Originally Posted by mdvaldosta

I just don't like new things... but no seriously I don't have alot of time and I don't really see how it could make that much of a difference unless I release software or other tools. Correct me if I'm wrong. I just haven't given it much thought.

Yes, you can make money when there is a release, but it takes TIME to build your twitter account up - who you are following and who is following you.

You can't expect to launch a software and instantly have a list of followers.

On the other hand, you can get followers NOW, and when the software is ready you will be ready with a giant list of folks to share the news.

One tweet of 140 characters can reach 10k people. Not worth it? I think it is.

[Michael Mayhew]

Originally Posted by jbsmith

3. Get instant answers to urgent questions - just last evening I had a video editing question and had an expert answer within a few minutes
Lots of benefit in my business...

Jeff

I've had critical questions answered in as little as 30 seconds! That's only one reason that Twitter rocks.

[Steve Sanchez]

How did you automate it?

[venomous2000]

I use twitter but I have no idea how to utilize it properly. I have about 40 followers and to be honest I'm getting nothing from it

[ploked]

Originally Posted by venomous2000

I use twitter but I have no idea how to utilize it properly. I have about 40 followers and to be honest I'm getting nothing from it

are you creating dialogue with your followers, or atleast contributing informative tweets? how targeted are your followers?

[Jayllie]

I just dont get twitter, seriously am I stupid or what I just dont understand it's concept. What do you twit about?

[Dellco]

Twitter is for bored people. As a marketing tool, you really need to be someone famous to actually get anything from it. I am not famous... so I don't use it. Plain and simple.

[chris8918]

I understand the power of utilizing the social networks for staying in touch, building relationships, promoting this or that, however, it takes soooo much time and seems to suck you in and before you know it, you've lost a hours time with not much productivity.

I like the automation idea for blogs, etc. Might look into that. Twitter, for me, doesn't give enough info about the person you are talking to, for me to feel like its worth trying to build any kind of connection. At least the Facebook platform gives you a little more info on the person you're talking to and it feels a bit more personable. I have used twitter with those people I am already connected with on Facebook, so there ya go......I guess it depends on your use and how it has helped you in whatever purpose you had for it, going in from the beginning.

[digileaf]

Heard about it, checked it out once. Looked like a load of old nonsense to me. Gosh, that makes me sound like I'm 100 years old.

[Dana_W]

Originally Posted by Jayllie

I just dont get twitter, seriously am I stupid or what I just dont understand it's concept. What do you twit about?

I tweet about press releases and getting publicity, because I write press releases for a living. Last week I got about $1500 worth of press release orders ENTIRELY from Twitter. As for why one would want to build up a lot of followers - when I started, and had a few thousand followers, I got hundreds of dollars worth of work a week from Twitter. So it seems that the more followers I get the more money I make.

The key: give value. Regularly give away free, valuable information that shows that you know what you are talking about.

And I spend about 30-45 minutes a day on Twitter. I make a point of going on there morning, afternoon, and night, spend about 10-15 minutes Tweeting, checking messages and replies, replying to other people, and bingo, I'm done.

[glasshalffull]

Originally Posted by Jayllie

I just dont get twitter, seriously am I stupid or what I just dont understand it's concept. What do you twit about?

the concept you want to understand, if you are wanting to use it for marketing purposes, is that you want people to pay attention to what you have to say (your tweets)

imagine if you're in a convention hall with a thousand people all there for chocolate bunny baking, 4 people in each corner of the room start to talk loudly about aspects of baking chocolot bunnys and other topics.

one person speaks of making cakes which draws some attention, another speaks of how to enter a contest to win a trip to the zamboni museum, another talks about candy in general, and you speak about baking chocolate bunnys.

some of the people in the room will gravitate towards you and your fellow speakers to catch a listen to what you're saying and others will continue to stand in the center of the room talking in their own little groups.

people will parade back n forth from speaker to speaker and over time more people are going to find more enjoyment for themselves by listening to things they are interested in, which for a predominant amount will be chocolat bunny making, so they will hover to your side of the room

they might visit the other speakers and mention to the group over there that you are talking about something that is cool and relevant which will make others hover to you and increase your sized crowd.

people will want to listen to what they are interested in simply. the person speaking about the zamboni museum will likely have less people paying attention to him as what he has to say is not related to the common theme that most of the people in that room are there for (although I think A zamboni museum would be the coolest....)

the others have topics which are relevant but not quite what the majority of bunny makers find interesting

when your talking about maiking the bunnys, you provide quality tips from everything to sites they can goto to find the best bunny shapes, temp/time for optimum bunny baking, the roots of chocalot bunny making history around the world, and you can offer them more tips on your chocobunny.com website

when people listen to you and find youe information valuable, they will want to learn more from you as you have been elevated to an authority status

when you get them used to you providing information that they want to receive it's likely they will want to get more info from you on your topic, which can translate to getting them to optin to your list and/or guiding them to a site where you sell them something, etc.

once you have earned their trust, they are more likely to listen to you...guru or not. if they follow you on your twitter page, they will be able to hear your chocolate bunny talk when you speak about which is why they would follow you and not the zamboni speaker. because they want to hear you talk (tweet). every once and awhile you might mention that your course on chocolat bunny making can be found on your site and they might be interested in taking a look, so they goto your site and give a look.

that is a long explanation of 1 way to use twitter

[proronen]

twitter is so powerful!

[glasshalffull]

Originally Posted by Dellco

Twitter is for bored people. As a marketing tool, you really need to be someone famous to actually get anything from it. I am not famous... so I don't use it. Plain and simple.

depends on how you define "famous" you can become famous to your followers by providing them what they are looking for.

I have people that I look up to, respect, admire, and listen to that are not gurus, famous,

it's about the relationship i build with them

[Lucky500]

I just started twitting ...it's definately a powerful tool once you have a nice following.

[Thomas M.]

I'm not into fads much. Soon Twitter will be played out and then there will be something else new. Just think how old MySpace sounds to you? Some people always feel they need to have or be-apart-of the newest and latest thing or gadget. I'm sorry but it's just not me.

I refuse.

[motivated]

Twitter was fun until I got lots of followers then it became boring - too difficult to read the Tweets I found interesting with several new ones coming through every minute.

Has it's uses as a marketing tool though.

Chris

[sajae102]

I hate twitter with a passion that burns! I heard about how you can get such great traffic with Twitter, but the problem is, you have to spend 50 days making everyone become your friend and follow you. It is quite exhausting to say the least! Wow.......also, the way you get sales and traffic is by updating your status at least 2 hours.....who the hell has time for that? I just don't have the time to sit there and update my status every ten minutes.

[Redsadie]

I don't use Twitter as a marketing tool, yet, but I did today 'tweet' the fact I had updated my Sqidoo pages. I haven't been on there to check though. To be honest I forget about it until I get a message in my inbox telling me someone has followed me.

[Steve Sanchez]

I ask questions on twitter and get no reply. I guess it's just me.

[cookies]

If you're finding Twitter, blogs and pic/vid sharing sites are useful, consider leveraging all all of them from a single tool (well, choose between two tools, or use both).

If the following info is helpful, I have forum problem I need help with at the end of this post, thank you!

I was frustrated at maintaining my "social web", and found two solutions.

tarpipe (add the dot com as I'm too new) for those who like a more granular touch - this tool enables you to mix and match functionality across a number of social media types. However, the number of social media sites supported is relatively small. Twitter is included, among other microblog sites. A few Blogs, pic/vid posts, and face book-y sites supported by tarpipe as well.

ping (add dot fm as I'm too new) is for someone who doesn't really care for the control you can get with tarpipe, and may not have the patience for tarpipe. The cool thing about ping.fm is the large number of social media sites supported...the list dwarfs that of tarpipe, by far. However, your control is very limited when compared to tarpipe - you can't do highly specialized workflows that tarpipe allows.

Enjoy!

I'm too new for a sig or email, comments and thoughts are welcomed, please PM

Also if you made it this far, I need some help - I bought a WSO that requires I post the transaction ID in the WSO thread...but I'm too new to post anything to a WSO thread, and too new to PM the WSO offer owner...can you help me? I hope I didn't just throw away some money...

[Nomics]

I must admit I have yet to join Twitter. I like the concept, but I also find it highly annoying. One more thing to keep up with.

[guyster]

Twitter can either be off benefit or a hindrance it all depends on how you work it.

It can benefit you if you allocate specific times to working your tweets throughout the day and on the flip side it can be a time waster if you don't know how to make it work for you the right way.

I think the trick is to have a system in place for using Twitter and stick with it.

Guy

[cookies]

I'll also add that the best way to check out twitter is to do it.

Sign up, and keep your twitter home page open. Once per day/hour/whatever, just post something to it. Status update, some text and a link, whatever.

Keep in mind, in order to get something out of twitter, you need to use it on a regular basis. As you post more and more things to it, people will find you, and start following you.

You can also search twitter for topics that interest you. When you find some tweets that you like, follow the authors.

Think of building a twitter following more like building a list, than expecting to be able to send your IM far and wide early on.

[John Hocking]

I think a lot of people still think that twitter is just a bunch of people talking about what they had for lunch or petting the dog.

I had known about Twitter since it launched but did not actually trying until just before Christmas last year.

For those that have not tried it, go to Twitter Search and enter a topic you are interested in and you will see why you should be involved in twitter.

[GarryMSayer]

I am going to stick my head above the parapet here and say Twitter can be a highly effective tool in your marketing arsenal for driving FREE targeted traffic to your website or affiliate links.

But like anything else you need to properly manage your time whilst on Twitter.

There is a balance between being active - so you get more followers and build a relationship with your current followers - and wasting time. It's best to limit your activity so it does not eat up more time than is necessary, else you'll get sucked into conversations and rants about things which can kill an hour or so of valuable work time.

[new2ebiz]

I tend to stay away from anything that appears to require daily or almost daily input. I know there are plugins to allow one to appear to post daily on blogs. I assume by now the same exist for Twitter; but for my demographic group I prefer to use other traffic strategies.

It appears to be very addictive as well; I'll stick to this forum instead because I can see more benefit to my bottom line.

I might consider using it in the future for a appropriate niche for a certain number of weeks then go back to more usual ebiz schedule.

PW

[jgand]

Twitter is interesting, I get a lot of followers, just don't know if that translates into more traffic, seems a lot of business are following and they are selling not buying. I know how valuable twitter truly is, unless you offer something where people hang onto your every word.

[Hortensia]

Maybe it's me, but I just get instantly really really bored with Twitter or Facebook or any other similar social chit chat. Yawn... About 'twitter search': there are so many ways to find what you're looking for.

But I get bored quite easily. That's also why I don't need emails from 'guru's' either. With the exception of just a handful.

Do I really need to hear what they've got to say?

In 99 out of 100 emails I am better off, reading WF instead.

[1mikeelliott]

Thanks for the story, not sure I learned anything new but am heading to the supermarket for a baked chocolate bunny. If someone in a room started talking about baked bunnies I think they would get my attention at least for a little. This is in response to the bunny/twitter comparison if you haven't read that far yet. Peace

[Bev Clement]

Many who automate their tweets really don't understand the power of twitter. I know they would say they get sales, but who wants to get the same 3 or 4 tweets 20 or 30 times a day.

Being in a different time zone, I was waking in the morning to 2 or 3 people who had automated their tweets and they were either the same link to their products or a tweet saying looking at [put in affiliate link] or words like that.

I underfollowed 2 of the worse today, and they automatically unfollowed me. Today was bliss not a massive amount of garbage from these people, silence. It let me read from real people.

I had a conversation today with John Reese, because his tweet wasn't lost in this pile of automated tweets. John possibly wouldn't know me, but he made a nice tweet, and I sent him a reply. It was just a friendly comment and he replied back.

The same happened this week when I read Michel Fortin's blog. I just sent him a quick tweet making a comment about what I had read. He replied.

No big deal you may think, but would I have got a reply if I had sent an email, come to that would my email have been read?

I have an automated direct message when people follow me, but apart from that I talk to people.

One person who had automated all or most of their tweets, asked a question the other day. I replied but I guess it was lost in the automated messages, because I didn't hear back.

Use twitter wisely as it can connect you to people.

[articlemaster]

For me twitter is a very powerful marketing tool
And it all depends upon fan following and followers