CNN iReport

Twitter exploding? You bet... and it's good news for those in the "know." As an internet marketing strategist with a keen interest in social media and Twitter, I've noticed that while Twitter is popular among business owners, job seekers and the public in general, there are very few rock-solid resources or business "how-to" programs on Twitter strategy.

My specific response to the rapid growth of Twitter was the formulation of an extensive Twitter how-to program which goes from beginning level to advanced with a focus on using Twitter to make money (ie: for entrepreneurs, businesses and charity). I call this "Twitter Twenius" - that's Twitter talk for genius.

If I had to pick THE biggest thing I like about Twitter (from a business perspective) it is that it makes marketing fun. Really fun. For once, "laughing all the way to the bank" has found it's home in social media!

In this video I reveal numerous Twitter and social media statistics, as well as SIX insightful Twitter tips to get your Twitter juices flowing. After you watch it, I've also directly answered the questions put forth by CNN about Twitter (see below).

QUESTION #1: Are Twitter and Facebook growing too fast, too soon? We want to know if you think these social-networking sites have become too much of a good thing.

MY ANSWER: Asking if Twitter or Social media is too much of a good thing, is a bit like asking if Google, CNN, or Blogs in general are too much of a good thing. The answer is yes, IF you're twittering away time on such things with no goals, strategy or beneficial results.

However, if you are in any business or involved in any type of organization, charity or fund raising endeavor,  Twitter and social media can be precisely the "good thing" needed; especially in these economic times.

These social systems are growing at stellar rates, not because teens are exchanging chit-chat, rather because there are bottom-line benefits of using Twitter and social media for businesses, organizations and the public. The fact that the largest unique visitor demographic of Twitter is some 3 million users (41.7%) between ages of 35-49 should pique the interest of almost every business owner in America.

Smart businesses and savvy entrepreneurs are just now catching the the social media wave. Twitter, in particular, seems to be leading the pack. It's not an advertising medium, but for those businesses that know how to tap an audience, a niche, or customers while keeping their social etiquette in check... the rewards are significant. All this, within an environment where little or "no-cost" rules the day.

If happen to be in the Job market, forget Monster and the various resume matching services; all the action is in social media. Networking by Twitter, Facebook or LInkedIn is efficient, smart and far more likely to produce the results you seek.

Here are a few additional Social media statistics based on a survey of 800 business owners and marketers by WhitePaperSource.com that underscore my points:

  * 88% of marketers surveyed are using social media to market their businesses, BUT 72% have only been doing so for a few months or less.
  * 64% of marketers are using social media for 5 hours or more each week and 39% for 10 or more hours weekly.
  * The number-one advantage of Social Media marketing is generating exposure for the business, indicated 81% of all marketers, In other words, the number-one benefit of social media marketing is gaining the all-important eyeball.
  * Twitter, blogs, LinkedIn and Facebook were the top four social media tools used by marketers, in that order.

QUESTION #2: Is there a limit to the quantity and content of status updates users should be posting? Tell us if you think the sites are beyond their capacity, or if you are appreciating the explosive growth.

MY ANSWER: First, let's keep in mind that as an individual or a business it's not the overall growth of Twitter that matters, rather it is your personal growth and person use of Twitter that counts.  On the one hand, you should be building followers and engaging them with conversation and/or interesting information AND on the other hand, you need to tap the power of some of the great Twitter tools (or social media tools) that allow you to filter and manage your conversations, interactions, tweets (posts), and followings.

A little knowledge goes a long way in the Twitterverse, and those that bother to learn a few things reap the rewards. None of this is rocket science, but at the same time it's not as easy as falling off a log.

I repositioned Twitter to the CENTER of everything I do (about 8 months ago) and have since secured clients, revenue, jobs, speaking engagements, partners, ideas, customers, staff, plus thousands of connections and a touch of humor that keeps me smiling throughout the day. In my book, you can never get too much of this kind of stuff.

So, my answer is... I see no limits, just more opportunities.

QUESTION #3: Put yourself on video and tell us how you feel about using Facebook and seeing the iconic "Fail Whale" on Twitter. Share your thoughts on etiquette for social sites.

MY ANSWER: The Twitter "fail whale" is a bit of Twitter history, really. I do not see the Whale as much as I did in earlier months when server outages cropped up occasionally.  I often wonder now, if they don't pop it up every so often for nostalgic purposes... it sure is a positive "branding" spin on what typically is deemed a negative technical challenge.  Hat's off to whoever thought that up!

As for "etiquette," here are my rules of thumb:
  * Do unto others as you would have them do to you.
  * Don't post anything today that might embarrass you tomorrow.
  * Be relevant and interesting
  * Be you
  * Be honest
  * Help others when you can
  * Build relationships genuinely
  * Do not spam
  * Do not do blatant advertisements
  * Do not steal other content
  * Use automation and tools with prudence
  * In general, treat those you engage with via Social Media much as you would those that invite you as a guest to a real world social event (dinner, a party, golfing etc).

In short, Twitter is the smallest big thing to hit the internet, business, and marketing in a long while. Don't Twitter away this opportunity.

For more Twitter Tips and humor, follow me on Twitter @dhollings

Twitter Twenius
http://twenius.com
100 free Twitter Tips
http://twittinsecrets.com