If you have been a steady reader here at The Net Fool, you may have noticed that about a week ago I added a “Net Fool Twitter” widget to my sidebar. So what the heck does it do? Well basically, this is an online system that lets me update my current “what am I doing” status to let you guys connect with me on a different level. Sounds a bit strange/useless at first… but I am convinced that Twitter can be not only a tool for networking, but for increasing your traffic!

Let’s start with a general feel for what Twitter is, both on the surface and underneath it all. Here is how they define it:

“Twitter is a service for friends, family, and co–workers to communicate and stay connected through the exchange of quick, frequent answers to one simple question: What are you doing?” -Twitter.com

So really, I would think about it as a blend of Facebook, Instant Messaging, Email and Text Messaging. It is what is known as a “mini-blogging” tool, because it is essentially a low-end version of a weblog!

I know what you are thinking… “wow, how useless is that… what does anyone care about what I am doing?” I thought this too, but the system is actually a lot more practical than it appears on the surface. Using it is easy and completely free, which is always nice. All you need to do is make an account any you are on your way. They give you ways to generate code to put right onto your blog (as I have done), but you technically only need the website to let people know what you are doing.

When you log into your user account at Twitter.com, you are shown an obvious interface with a box to type/update what you are doing. Below this, a listing of all of your friends recent updates. This is a fantastic way to get a view on what people are like, what they are doing in their free time, which really is an advantage in building a relationship. For example: I have written on mine when I am in the Penn State Trading Room, and just what I am doing there. Am I researching a particular stock, am I updating my blog, did I find a funny video link or am I just watching a movie. Its just a simple one line of information, and I think that because it is so simple, people actually like to hear about it!

So how can you update your Twitter status? Do you really have to log into the website every time you just want to let people know you found an interesting YouTube video? As the network has expanded, so have its features. You can always opt for IMing the Twitter username your status, and they update it right away. But now you can do things like text messaging and even G-Chat messaging (my preferred ). All you need to do is write what’s up, and BAM! its updated in your feed (or in your blog’s sidebar or wherever you have it displayed), they call this a badge. Convenient and easy.

Twitter goes beyond just you updating your status, you can now communicate with friends by sending messages with “@username MESSAGE” as the format. In this way, messages are sent back and forth so you can talk on a whole new level. In addition to this, you can opt to “follow” certain members, and they can opt to “follow” you right back. This means that they will see all of your updates, and vice versa. I haven’t even advertised me doing this and I have picked up a few followers… nice .

Okay, okay. But how can Twitter increase your traffic?! I am a firm believer in networking and trade. All you really need to boost your traffic is more people visiting your blog more frequently. By having a Twitter feed embedded in your website, I would say it is up to 25% more likely for your readers to come back. Why? Part of blogging is establishing a connection with your readers. There is no better connection than a personal tab where you can both communicate. It’s easy, and by expanding on your “followers” network, more and more people are going to come around and read what you have to say. Bottom line: friends visit friends’ blogs

There are a few voices of concern around Twitter, but this is mainly about some bugs. For example, the servers seem to have problems with all of the updates, and it seems that a small percentage of “tweets” don’t go through and get updated. I have maybe had this happen once or twice, but it’s really not too much of a concern. There are also a few complaints floating around about the speed of things, but I feel like it updates fast enough that it shouldn’t be a problem.

Is twitter worthless and a waste of time? Perhaps, at least a lot of people will tell you. Can it be effective if used correctly? Yes, I believe so. Many people will tell you that using Twitter to update your status is a complete waste of time, but I feel that it can allow you to network in ways not before possible, so it can help your traffic along! Judge how you may, Twitter is worth checking out!

-The Net Fool

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