Alright, I confess, I have a Twitter account.
But in defense of this post, I can’t remember if I have ever posted anything on it or have logged in since its creation some time last year.
I’m not a twit AND I don’t think a twitter-vention will work on me.
Everyone who is not currently taking up residence under rock is hailing Twitter as the social networking craze of the moment. And I stress ‘the moment’ because I belong to the few (non-twitterers) that do not believe the Twitter phenomenon can last.
I am humble enough to admit that I could be wrong — anything is possible. But from a marketing perspective, I feel at the centre of the Twitter mandate is an inability to maintain longevity.
Most know that Twitter provides quick and easy text messaging in 140 characters or less. I like to refer to it as Facebook stripped down to only your status. A harsh criticism I’m sure.
I understand the case for it. It provides a seamless connectivity platform linking great, and not-so-great, minds to share ideas, words of wisdom, carve out the next craze even. It forces you to be brief and concise ultimately you must choose your words conscientiously. With these limits, all content should therefore be of the utmost quality. Except for the undeniable fact that we’ll also be updated with someone’s sandwich needs (you may know what I mean) amidst the statements of genius.
For me, the daily second-by-second minutiae of someone’s life integrated with supposed great minds further curtailed by advice from unverifiable sources makes Twitter a cluttered distraction.
Can I market myself on Twitter? Can my business? Will you be taken seriously if you do?
Ultimately, we should not miss out on the marketing opportunities social media offers but we can at least exercise discretion in choosing which avenues are the best and most fruitful.
My belief is that eventually that masses will become bored with twittering that they’re bored. Or, if they’re really smart, they’ll realize that what someone has to say is worth more than 140 characters.
