What is Twitter - and Why Should You Care?

If you haven’t heard of twitter, it’s a new “micro-blogging” platform that’s currently experiencing exponential growth. Micro-bloging means that your updates are limited to just 140 characters, so it’s more of a quick status update than a blog post.

Forget the technology, forget the weird terminology, forget the iphone applications. Twitter is just another way to keep in touch and build relationships.

And Twitter is one of the most convenient, easy, and FUN ways to make new friends and keep in touch with old ones.

Have you ever wanted to stay in touch with someone but weren’t sure exactly how to do so? You know what I mean, that “just wanted to say hi!” email or searching desperately for some kind of article that they would be interested in but haven’t seen already just for an excuse to touch base with them.

Twitter is THE solution for keeping in touch with thousands of people at once, and building authentic relationships at the same time.

So how does this all relate to business? First of all, people do business with those that they know, like, and trust. This will always be true and we’re lucky to be living an age where it’s easier than ever to build genuine rapport will people all over the world. Once people have gotten to know you via twitter, the transition to a business relationship is effortless. And the opportunity for collaboration with other entrepreneurs is huge.

If you’ve been scared or confused by twitter I want encourage you to give it a try.

You can start by following these entities on Twitter:

* http://www.twitter.com/t3fan
* http://www.twitter.com/edjacobson
* http://www.twitter.com/brettellen
* http://www.twitter.com/kinderinstitute
* http://www.twitter.com/markmagnacca
* http://www.twitter.com/marieswift

Check out who they are following to find more people to follow. I can guarantee that you will be surprised by how many people you know are already on Twitter!

Take your mind off the new technology, and instead put yourself in the mindset that you’re just at a big old party making friends. It's a great way to build buzz about yourself and the things that are important to you and your firm, too.

TIP
Before you post a "tweet" to tell your followers what you are doing, think about why they should care. Then post something that positions you as an interesting business professional doing fun and worthwhile things in the world.

Have fun - but think before you post! Make every tweet count...