Twitter as a Marketing Tool

So some of the Twitter numbers are looking very impressive – an estimated 1 billion tweets per day and a valuation of US$10 billion ahead of a possible IPO. Revenue numbers are not quite so attractive with income from search advertising estimated to be bringing in about US$100 million, well below the company’s current outgoings.

While it is hard to escape the microblogging site, does it have a role as a marketing tool? Like many of the other social media vehicles, Twitter has its own ‘what-not-to-do stories’, most notably Habitat’s use of keywords relating to the Iranian election in 2009 in an attempt to have its tweets picked up by those following trending topics. So far, Twitter has been used in about three main ways. The first, popular with technology companies, is using it to provide updates and product information. Second, popular with consumer goods companies is using it as a sales promotions medium where special offers are available only to Twitter followers – a good approach as appealing offers will quickly be passed on. And finally, some service firms monitor any negative commentary and seek to address it (if possible within 140 characters).

The big attraction of Twitter is its ‘permission marketing’ angle – followers opt in – so they want to hear from you. This is where the best marketing opportunity lies. For example, innocent Ltd uses Twitter to talk to its followers in its usual quirky fashion about a variety of topics. The two way conversation is a perfect medium for the development of the firm’s brand values. And if Twitter is to be used strategically, this is what needs to be done. Understand who is using Twitter (apparently it is mainly older age groups and also more women than men) and make sure all outgoing communications reflects the organisations brand values.