Grow From Here

Twitter Roundup

After a week and a half checking out Twitter, I have to admit I am at least slightly hooked.  I am spending far too much time on Twitter.  I’ve found a lot of fascinating websites and articles (some of which I will share here), relating to business, franchising, trends, communication and search engine optimization/online marketing. 

I’ve found people to follow who have great information in my areas of interest (franchises & franchisors, business growth, search engine optimization and online content development). 
Interestingly, some of the blogs/people, I couldn’t find through Google searches.  For example, I had a hard time finding franchise blogs that I thought were really valuable via Google.

The one basic question that still remains unresolved for me is whether Twitter is where potential customers spend time, or more of a place to come in contact with potential strategic partners and others who are passionate about online marketing?  I have asked a couple of people I know who have been using Twitter for a while for their thoughts on this, and so far most people say they have actually found strategic partners and interesting information.  I would love to hear from someone who has actually sold product/services from twittering.  In fact, consider this an invitation to get in touch if you would like to do a brief interview about how you found actual customers through Twitter!  Just post a comment saying that you would be willing to do that, with your Twitter name and I will get in touch via Twitter to learn more.

Useful articles/websites from Twitter posts

Top 4 Success Saboteurs for Entrepreneurs: http://www.theperfectbizfinder.com/blog/beat-the-top-4-saboteurs/

Winners of the 2009 Franchisee Satisfaction Awards: http://jan.freedomblogging.com/2009/03/09/happiest-franchisees-6-are-oc-companies/10293/

Challenges for Women in Business: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sponsored/business/businesstruth/4934018/Women-in-Business-The-bias-against-women-entrepreneurs.html

5 Great Companies to Form in 2009: http://www.thecompanymerchant.co.uk/blog/index.php/2009/01/five-great-companies-to-form-in-2009/

Tell People What You Want Them to Do For You: http://www.doshdosh.com/tell-people-what-you-want-them-to-do-for-you/

50 Social Entrepreneur Blogs to Watch: http://evancarmichael.com/Tools/Top-50-Social-Entrepreneur-Blogs-To-Watch-In-2009.htm

and just for fun… http://www.brepettis.com/blog/2009/3/3/the-cult-of-done-manifesto.html

So Far

Time spent so far:  probably 6 hours (much of that following fascinating links posted by various tweeters)

Questions so far:  How in the world are people finding my profile to follow?  Why would someone be following >1,000 other people?  What does that mean to follow at that point?  Surely no one has time to read all the tweets from many thousands of people?  Are any of my potential customers using Twitter?

ROI: Nothing direct yet, but coming in contact with some fascinating people – more potential strategic partners than customers, it looks like to me.  Some good franchise blogs that I wasn’t able to find via Google searches with very valuable information.

Katryn Communication, Search Engine Optimization, Twitter Experiment