The Tendo View

I’m a bit of a social media geek and really enjoying the work we’re doing supporting the social media communication needs of one of our large clients. I was riding the elevator out of the office yesterday with my boss Karla, talking about Twitter, and Facebook, and LinkedIn, and she said, “I think Twitter is the least relevant of those for businesses.” I couldn’t disagree more. In fact, as I told Karla, I predict it’ll end up becoming the most relevant business tool of the three. Here’s why:

• The Twitter demographic is middle-aged professionals. Why wouldn’t you want to reach that audience? Teens may be Facebooking and text-messaging, but business adults are using Twitter.

• Think of Twitter followers as an opt-in list, and think of each Tweet as a direct mail piece. A short, quick, free message to a group of followers who, so long as you cultivate them and provide value for them in your Tweets, will most likely click through on whatever shortened URL you include in your Tweet.

• Now, think of what that shortened URL could point to (think of the direct mail analogy). Contests, web content, registration pages for downloads, event notices, rsvp buttons, thought leadership, cool product “tryout” signups (read: beta users), and on and on. In every rich media format that the Web offers. Bottom line, Twitter is a platform for engaging your audience.

The catch, as with all social media, is that what you’re delivering has to be of value to that audience. You can’t over-promote or over-sell. Your content has to resonate, which is what Tendo is all about.

What do you think? Follow my Tweets @cziems. Promise I won’t spam you!