The more I use Twitter, the more I have come to rely on it. It’s fast, fun to use and has become an essential business tool. In spite of this, I frequently get questions from people who have heard of Twitter but have never used it. The gist of most of the questions is “what’s the point?”

To answer these questions I thought I’d share what I get out of Twitter.

1. Learn what leaders in my industry are doing

By following the leaders in my industry on Twitter I can see what they’re up to. I learn about teleseminars, blog posts, joint ventures projects they enter into as well as a bit about their personalities.

By keeping on top of what leaders in my industry are doing I can make sure I don’t fall behind or miss any new information. I can see what these people see as important and who they value.

And don’t worry about following people you don’t actually know. One person I follow write “Public service announcement: following me on twitter is not the same as stalking me.”

So follow away.

2. Keep on top of new technology

Several people I follow are using technology very effectively in the marketing and running of their businesses. By checking out links they post to new tools they find useful I can discover new tools for my business without having to do the research and testing myself. This saves me time and keeps me up to date.

3. Getting in touch with future joint venture partners

I’ve noticed it is getting harder to reach people by email (see yesterday’s post & comments if you don’t know what I mean). Contacting people via Twitter can be a useful way to get noticed.

Replying to someone’s Tweet can be a way to get on their radar … assuming your reply is intelligent or humorous. Sending a direct message lets someone know to watch out for an email from you.

In fact, I’ve had at least one VA tell me the best way to reach the person in question was via Twitter.

4. Keep up with your real friends and colleagues

I know a few of the people I follow in real life … or at least virtual life. These are people I talk to, email or do business with. By following them on Twitter I know what they’re up to, what’s new in their life or business. It’s a quick and easy what to stay current with people I don’t see daily.

5. Know what’s happening in the world

As a writer I can’t work with the radio on … it’s too distracting. And since I don’t get in the car every day (where I usually listen to the radio), I don’t always hear what’s happening in the world. That is, until I started following the CBC (Canadian Broadcasting Corporation) on Twitter.

Several times a day they send Tweets with headlines of the day’s news. I can see at a glance what’s going on. Usually the headlines are enough for me, but if I need more information I can just click on the link to read the entire story. No more feeling out of touch.

6. Make world events more personal

Occasionally world events impact someone I’m following on Twitter. The recent hurricanes are a prime example. By reading their Tweets about how current events are affecting them personally makes these events more real. They’re not just interesting or shocking events happening on the news. They are impacting people I “know”.

7. Let people get to know you

Look at all the ways I use Twitter and use them to guide you in making Tweets to your followers. Show off your business knowledge, share new technology you love – or hate, recommend books, people or websites, announce events or new products, comment on how current events are impacting you.

Above all, remember Twitter should be a conversation. So don’t be afraid to “talk” to people you follow on Twitter.

Happy Tweeting.

Andrea J. Stenberg

Have I missed a way to use Twitter? Let me know how you use Twitter by leaving a comment below. If you’re not currently on Twitter why not give it a try? Sign up and start following me to see what it’s all about.