Why I [Heart] Twitter

Social Media is constantly growing and evolving into an amazing tool to build a strong personal and business network. There are lots of platforms to choose from. It seems as though almost everybody under the age of 40? 50? is on Facebook these days. Many small businesses have got themselves a Facebook page, and started networking with their customers that way. Many professionals use LinkedIn to connect with people in their industry. I would argue that for Business to Business networking Twitter is the best of both worlds, and is the better fit for B2B marketing.

I am so sure of this, that my own social networking advisory business only has a presence on Twitter. I feel no need for a Facebook page for it, and I don’t think Pinterest or LinkedIn are a good fir for what this business does. It is so important to consider how all the platforms work and who their audiences are.

To put it briefly, here are eight reasons why Twitter is so wonderful:

Twitter opens a much wider world. You can follow anyone at all. You do not have to know that person or be approved by that person to follow their tweets.

Anyone can get involved. Create and account and put your views out there, and start influencing the community.

It’s so easy to use. Even my not-technically minded dad can do it.

You have to be short and sweet. The 140 character maximum forces people to send very short messages. No endless rants for Twitter. People have to work harder to write engaging and interesting short Tweets.

It is real-time. Because the vast majority of Tweets are set to public, whatever is happening, and being Tweeted about, you will get to read it there first. Hashtags are an excellent way of discussing what interests you right now with a vast range of people all over the globe.

It allows a company to show their brand and personality without being invasive.

Communities of like-minded people from across the globe can easily form and exchange ideas without needing to have met face-to-face.

Twitter allows greater flexibility. Maybe you want to follow your personal guru, but they do not need to follow you, or your clients and you can follow each other, or someone can follow you without you having to follow what they are saying