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Are you on Twitter yet? I know a lot of my blog readers are because I recognize them, but Twitter is still new enough not to be on everyone’s radar yet. I think Twitter is a valuable tool for anyone with an internet based business, and I’ll tell you why in a sec.

First, what is Twitter?

Twitter is a social networking site (like Facebook, MySpace, etc) that helps to keep you connected with friends and family and other people you might want to network with.  By using instant messaging, SMS and Web interface you can send and receive short messages from anyone on your list with ease.

Twitter has also been called a “micro blog” because your “tweets” can only be 140 characters long. Just long enough to make a quick point, post a link (for example to your blog or a new page on your site) or mention a bit of news.

Twitter is easier to use than other social networking sites, in my opinion. It’s VERY simple, and there are no silly time sucking apps like you see with Facebook. As a work at home business owner it is not uncommon to miss that office chit chat every now and again.  You can think of Twitter as your virtual watercooler.  It’s nice to be able to talk to others who know how you feel and understand what you are talking about. And using Twitter is really easy and doesn’t take much time from your work.

The best part about Twitter is that you can have the chit chat when YOU have time for it.  If you’re busy working on a project and just need a break, jump on Twitter and “twit” away.  When you’re break is done, no problem, just sign off and come back and catch up on anything you might have missed later when you get a chance.

With Twitter you can search for new people to “follow” (meaning you’ll see their tweets on your Twitter page), and you can also block people you don’t want to talk to.  It’s easy to navigate through Twitter to find people who like the same things you do or may even know some of your friends and family.  Plus you always have the option of blocking anyone you don’t want to communicate with.

As a marketer, it would be valuable to search Twitter for others who have a similar audience as you. When you create a Twitter profile, you are provided a little space for a bio. By using Twitter’s search capability, you can find others who have things in common with you (such as a geographical location or a profession, or a keyword). Then you can connect with them and establish relationships. Twitter is a great way to market yourself and let your friends know when you’ve made a new post to your blog, added a new product or service to your website or even found a news story online that you think they could benefit from.  Just send the URL over Twitter and they’ll have it right there! :) 

My Twitter page is http://www.twitter.com/carrielee My Twitter page has become an important source of traffic for a few of my sites because when I post a new page to my blog or update my podcast, I tweet the link. What’s really cool about Twitter is the reciprocity I see going on. Friends who follow you will tweet news about your business. That’s really cool because your friends have different followers than you, so you can potentially be exposed to a much larger audience.

Are you on Twitter yet? How has it benefitted your business?