Have you heard of Twitter yet?  I hope so.  If not, the simple definition is that Twitter is a micro-blogging utility that allows you to communicate with “followers,” also known as friends, business contacts or just about anyone that wants to listen to you.  Its “micro-blogging” because you can only send out “tweets” that are 140 characters in length, versus blogging, which can be as long as you want.

Twitter is one of the most talked about social networking utilities right now, and everyone is taking notice.  People are still not sure how to use it.  Some are drawn to it and use it religiously, while others are not quite sure why they need it, and don’t see its purpose.

The latter is a very valid concern—and while the sentiment is easily understood, you should look at Twitter from a different perspective. 
Try to understand how Twitter helps to develop a connection with your customers.  Reality is that the websites people use are fragmented.  There is no one-stop online shop where you can find all of your customers—it just doesn’t exist, even though Google and Yahoo come close. 

Understanding that consumers’ online media habits are fragmented brings more clarity to the importance of Twitter.  While not everyone is on Twitter and many will never use it, some of your customers are on it, just like some are on Facebook, MySpace, and any number of other social networking sites.  Today, you need to have a comprehensive online communications strategy to speak to all of your customers, and that means playing an active role in all social networks, including Twitter.

Your next question is probably, “I already have a website and a blog; how much can I possibly do?”  The truth is that you need to do them all and develop strategies to make that job easier.  Would you ignore a consumer who has openly asked to engage in a conversation with you?  Those that follow you on Twitter want to listen to you, so speak to them and listen to them, because they will likely talk back to you.  It’s all about making that connection with your customer—whether it’s on Twitter, Facebook , MySpace, your website or in your store. 

By the way, I would be remiss not to ask you to friend EGC on Facebook, watch us on YouTube or follow us on Twitter.  We’re open to a conversation!