Internet Marketing Consultant & Analyst: Melanie Broemsen, KISS Communications

For the last couple of weeks, all I have been hearing about is Twitter. It’s a new online service that connects people via SMS (text) messaging. It’s all about “What are you doing?” and “What’s happening on your world?” — so you can share it with your friends, as fast as you can text. Instead of texting them one at a time - or blasting your list - you just send out the message over Twitter.

And supposedly, it’s the fastest way news is spreading these days. Earthquake? Crazy person in a gorilla suit running down the street? Traffic jam on the highway? Sale on cool shoes? Or just painting your nails and getting ready to hit the sack? If anything (or nothing) is happening, chances are someone is twittering about it.

Here’s the REAL significance: Twitter’s breaking news stories, left and right.

(If you’re a journalist — pay attention!)

Another cool feature is that Twitter lets you “follow” people. For example, you can follow Barack Obama to see what he’s up to at any given time of the day. And you can text him back your thoughts. Now there’s a good way for a politician to connect with constituents — especially the younger generation. Hmmmm. Wonder if he will send out a Twitter reminding his followers it’s time to go vote?

Significance #2: What a great tool to communicate with customers, clients, employees — anyone you need or want to communicate with on a regular basis.

(PR Professionals, Publicists and Agents — pay attention!)

Always one to test something out, I’ve joined Twitter. I uploaded my pic and hooked up my cell. Even downloaded the Firefox extension, TwitBin.

And yes, there are tons of people Twittering. Some in languages I can’t read. But nobody that I know. And that’s the only problem I see — you need friends to Twitter with… So, I’ve sent out all my Twitter invitations. We’ll see who responds.

Want to Twitter with me?

p.s. Anyone finds Julian McMahon on here, let me know so I can stalk - I mean follow - him!

Tags: web 2.0 //