Twitter Me This, Batman.

What has over 20 million members, produces no revenue, and is valued at over one billion dollars? Answer: A little blue bird called Twitter.

Many online social marketing services like Twitter burst onto the scene only to leave some business and organization owners scratching their heads and wondering how these services could apply to and benefit them. For the most part these services are still in the early stages of evolution, leaving no easy and directly measurable answer to this question.

So what's a business to do? Ignore social marketing until it proves its worth and then struggle to catch up to its competitors? Or assume it will succeed, jump in now, and invest time and money so the company is a leader not a follower? When it comes to technology, a good policy is to be on the leading edge, not the bleeding edge.

Twitter has some very compelling reasons for using it as part of a successful customer service plan. It provides a more personal customer experience, it is fast and easy for people to use, and it will compell customers to follow people they believe are leaders in their fields. When it comes to using Twitter it is critical to understand exactly how to use it and then have a solid plan for implementation. There is nothing worse than jumping into something just for the sake of doing it and losing interest a few weeks later. It's not only bad for the company image, it leaves customers with the impression the company provides poor customer service. Taking the time to research this type of online service and also talk to media experts familiar with the technology will provide valuable insight into how it can boost an organization's profile and customer service.

Business and organization owners must shift their habits to adapt to the new reality in which the client is in full control online. Customers choose whether to ignore suppliers that provide little value or interest online or to be motivated to follow the activities of a company that provides a high level of service and support online.
Online social marketing services such as Twitter, Facebook, and the company website provide valuable channels for organizations to endear themselves to their customers and members and are vital for keeping customer retention numbers high.

If you'd like to discuss how to use social media for your business or organization please contact Joe Perraton at jperraton@pointonemedia.com