A New Generation Marketer

Yesterday, @Cait_Downey tweeted out this post, and from there we had a quick conversation:

@Cait_Downey What’s your main reason for Twitter? to socialize? entertain? inform? build awareness?

@KristinEDziadul @Cait_Downey I think it’s for whatever you want to make of it

@Cait_Downey @KristinEDziadul I agree w/ you! I think its best when it’s a mix of everything too.

This conversation got me thinking: does Twitter have a true purpose? One central theme to its usage is that you can meet people that you may not have otherwise by sharing articles, pictures, blogs, and comments. However, Twitter has different purposes based on the user.

Businesses:
PR tactic
Networking
B2C connections
Sharing industry articles
Reaching out to advertisers
Conveying the brand image
Networking with partnering companies
Advertising blogs, events, job openings, etc.

Employees:
Connect with other co-workers
Find out about industry trends to learn more
Support their employer’s statements (i.e. blogs, research, events)
Develop their own online brand as a part of their larger employer’s brand

Individuals:
Find a job
Meet friends
Meet potential employers
Find networking events to go to
Share videos, articles, research, etc.
Follow celebrities or favorite brands

Celebrities:
Tweet photos of themselves
PR device if they have a mishap
Make followers feel connected to them
Promote their albums, movies, clothing lines, etc.
Tell fans where they are, what they are doing, what they like, etc.

As I said in the conversation above with Cait, Twitter can be used for whatever you want. I think Twitter is so basic for a reason: users can have free range in what they do with it. Twitter applications are developed to enhance particular aspects of it if users need them. Personally, I use it for individual purposes as a part of building my online branding and networking with others.

Please leave your comments on how/why you or your company use Twitter or how you would like to use it!