I have a confession to make: I’m not a big fan of Twitter. I use it sporadically, and don’t really “get it.” Who cares what I’m doing? Why do I care what others are doing? A part of me hopes it’s just a fad.
But as someone who works in public relations, I know the importance of understanding social media and the most effective way to utilize it.
Introducing Tweet This! Twitter for Business by Jessica Miller-Merrell. Through Business to Blogger, I signed up to receive a copy of the book.* When the 113-page book arrived, I started skimming through it and didn’t seem too impressed. After the first 25 pages, I was even less impressed as it only seemed to explain what Twitter actually is. I already know what it is, I need to learn how to use it!
Well, by the time I reached the last three-fourths of the book (and truth be told, I read the entire book within 2 nights–it’s a very quick read), I was learning so much I started taking notes, highlighting, and looking up stuff on Twitter!
In addition to great tips on how to best use Twitter for business, the book included great anecdotes that made you go “that’s so cool!” (like the woman who secures speaking engagements through Twitter, that then result in work assignments). I liked learning about Twitter apps businesses can use to increase their followers, what content your tweets should focus on, and popular users to follow who provide great information.
I thought I knew how to navigate Twitter pretty well, but after reading this book, I understand it even more and with a much deeper grasp.
Overall, I would say that Tweet This! is a perfect “how to use Twitter” manual for businesses. I would definitely give this book to colleagues and future employers so they can learn the power of Twitter and how to maximize its usage.
Jessica does a really good job of tweeting relevant Twitter tips and articles on her Twitter account and you can follow her @TweetingThis.
8 comments
Nice review, Erika! I just told a friend about this. DC seems to be a haven for how Twitter can be used in business settings. Look forward to reading how you use it in your new position!
Interesting! I think I need to read this too. I do NOT understand Twitter at all.
I think there are a whole lot of misconceptions about Twitter. One person told me she refuses to use it because “I don’t need to know when people are using the bathroom.” That’s not what Twitter is about.
I think of Twitter as a big chat room, and I love it. I deactivated my Facebook account because it was SO much drama. Twitter is just chatter. Plus, most people don’t want to use it, so I don’t have to worry about annoying family members trying to follow me there. 😉
Twitter is fickle. I once read an op piece in Advertising Age that the author didn’t believe Twitter was going to last because ‘Kids (and most importantly teens) thought that was what old people did.”
While I’m paraphrasing and can’t find the original source, I thought for a long time that he was correct – mainly, it would be gone within a year.
As I’ve worked with advertisers and marketers, it’s fickle because if you don’t use it properly, you’ll look like a fool – and there’s no “one” way to us it properly.
Peter King from Sports Illustrated is a good example of someone who gets it. He takes small little retweets and gives short answers that are entertaining to read. And isn’t that what it’s all about?
I’ll probably grab the book just to see what new “tips and tricks” are being used now – and if they’re any different than tried and true marketing and advertising guidelines shortened down to 140 character tweets.
(good book review though!)
I feel like Twitter is time consuming, like I need to keep up on it throughout the day because people I follow generally post some good links. Sometimes it’s their blog posts, a funny site that will entertain me for hours or something actually newsworthy. Speaking of which, I have a local reporter who follows me and occasionally we’ll tweet back and forth if I have some news tips. Oh and Britney Spears followed me before I followed her- I’m mentioning that for street cred though 😉 Overall though, in some respects I feel like twitter has replaced actual blogging for some of my favorite bloggers, so it’s a nice way to keep up with them.
I like twitter simply because it’s full of the meaningless nothings we all wish we had someone to tell! It’s nothing important, but it makes me laugh, and it connects me with people I wouldn’t usually meet.
I can not stand when people follow me just so that I’ll follow them back. I will ONLY follow someone back if I find them interesting, and it pisses me right off if they unfollow me right after. What is it, a popularity contest? To some, I think so.
I have a lot of businesses and what not that follow me, and I never follow them back unless they’re a business I utilize (my favorite restaurants, for example). I find that all they do is spam me with retarded crap. It makes me REALLY mad when random spammers tweet me discounted crap. Can’t tell you how many times I’ve been offered a free Dell laptop! Eff off already!
Oh, and I also like twitter because my Mom can’t cyber stalk me there, like she does on Facebook!
I should get into twitter. I guess the idea of getting SIX million text messages bothers me…and I really know nothing about it. And none of my friends do, so I havent had a reason.
I should look into this.