Twitter
 

is Twitter just for short attention span teens and 20-somethings or has anyone ever used it effectively as a marketing tool?

I'm ramping up a marketing plan over the next two months for my company as well as the WWII men's line, online store, more boys and girls 7-14 wear as well a unique girl's cause-marketing program. Some are telling me I should develop a twitter following. A lot happens here that is blog-worthy, but not sure if anyone would ever want to get micro-feeds of the day to day happenings.

Any examples, other than TV personalities building an audience, of Twitter as a good marketing tool?

My company is using it, but I stick to LinkedIn. I'm just not into FaceBook or Twitter, but our "social media" person believes that we can use these resources effectively and generate more business...

Print is dying. DVR's are making TV advertising problematic. The younger generations are consuming their media in way's we consider to be non conventional but to them it's completely normal.

Social initiatives are similar to infomercials in that they "find" their audience by means of direct, purposeful consumption.

I'd rather have 1 Twitter follower than 100 passive views of a print ad/:30 spot.

It's not just posting any old thing that comes to mind. Your conversations with them should be pointed, purposeful and whenever possible invite actionable engagement.

Use the time required in generating a following to refine your approach.

They are an audience that needs to be worked.

I would suggest following some corporate accounts for guidance.

The thing about Twitter and Facebook for marketing is that it's an "OPT-IN" situation. If someone starts following your facebook or your twitter that means they have decided that they have enough interest in you to want to see what you are doing. That's the #1 reason it's more successful than carpetbombing people or doing ads or cold calls, or target marketing or spam or whatever. People decide that they 'want' to hear from you, so all you have to do is provide them with quality information to keep that relationship happening.

This cartoon says it pretty well & Gogar is spot on..

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1303069056.jpg
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1303069234.jpg
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1303069330.jpg

A lot of it is links to web sites or other things. Its good and timely. I don't follow a lot of stuff, but I find the concept cool...I'm also a way late adopter.

I'm still trying to figure out how to make Facebook pay off.

Shaun, I would think FB would be better for your business as you can get tons of "likes" and "shares" directing your customers friends to your website.

Not only that, but "Tags" too:D

good things to think about, thank you. I don't see how Twitter would fit with Littel Travel er, but would very well with the launch of Travel er Girls bringing back the G9 Girl infrastructure with an "act locally, help globally" message, magazine and doll drives.

I use twitter to track a few local food trucks/restaurants/breweries. They tweet their whereabouts or what they're currently serving. It's a lot faster for me to check twitter than it would be to check each individual webpage.

To give you an example, here are two of the places that I follow:
SuperDeliMart
Maximus Minimus

I suppose if you have a strong repeat customer base you could use twitter to show off new designs, mention sales, etc...

Shaun, it would seem perfect to me if I were in your position. You have people who buy direct as well as from your retailers, right? Obviously they bought your product because they liked it. That's interest enough. They will want to know about new product, closeouts, etc.

I guess you just have to keep it meaningful. That's something I don't envy you for because I could't keep the attention of a teen or sub teen for 2 seconds (which is all you have).

There is definitely a fit.

But until you have that "Ah ha" moment for yourself it's best to do nothing.

It's easy to make mistakes when you know what you are doing.

Trying it without a plan is just a bad idea.

Call me if you wanna chat about it.

Thanks Graham, Scott and Milt. Agree on all accounts. Off to China soon but will be putting some real effort into this after I get back and will give you a call, would love to hear your thoughts Scott.