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How Twitter can increase users

06/14/09 06:50 AM Filed in: Twitter
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The war of statistics has started ! Facebook advocates are ecstatic that Facebook continues to grow while the growth of Twitter leveled out in May. Those who don’t understand Twitter are now saying “see I told you so” and are saying that this could be the beginning of the end for the overhyped Twitter. A recent Harvard business publication didn’t help when they showed that a very small number of Twitter users are responsible for the most contribution. Can Twitter get back on track? You bet but they need to implement some basic business tactics to ensure growth.

harvard-business-school-cumulative-percent-twitter-users-ranked-contribution-june-2009


1. Inform the audience- OK, some people don’t get Twitter and microblogging, therefore Twitter needs to show examples of how Twitter can be used as a business intelligence and personal information business tool. This means showing people that you’re using Twitter to get great information not see what others are eating. Use an integrated PR campaign to ensure that the word gets out that this in fact is a great business tool when information moves at the speed of the Internet.


2. Make it easy for new users- New user? Want to set up an account to monitor food marketing? Twitter should have a tool that allows people to set up an account and add select users to monitor information that they want. This will mean a lot of categories and user lists but the benefit can pay off for new users.


3. Highlight Twitter applications that make it easy to monitor users-There are a lot of apps that can run on the desktop where users can scan Tweets and click on what really interests them.


4. Add snapshot software: During the busy workday we don’t all have time to click on links that might interest us or read the article when we do click on them. How about a nice integrated app to take a snapshot of the web page (there are some great ones for the Mac like Web Snapper and Little Snapper) or store Tweeted links for later when the user has time.


5. Remind people it’s not quantity it’s quality- There will always be people, like those from Forrester, who feel that they are experts because they have thousands of followers. Guess what: it’s not about the numbers of follower or those you follow it’s about which ones provide you with great information on a regular basis.


6. Evolve or die: 140 characters is all that you’re allowed but what about the next evolution of Twitter and how is Twitter prepared to evolve? Users can get tired very quickly of Twitter and you have to keep it fresh while making sure not to alienate current users.


I don’t follow everyone who follows me on Twitter; I follow those people that provide consistent value with new information and links so I can grow as an Internet and brand marketer. Sometimes you have to lead people by the hand to teach them how to use a tool before they can build something themselves.

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