Being Cheryl: Social Media Marketing Tips from Columbus, Ohio

I came across a thread on LinkedIn that posed this question: If you are not using Twitter for personal or brand (broadly defined) communication, why not?

I was intrigued by the answers, so I thought I’d share some

“Twitter, this is where I want to puke! I signed up from pressure. I used it briefly and then jumped off. When people were “tweeting” me I was so annoyed. I seriously just don’t get why people would want to know such minor details. Used to announce, “Robin Williams, spontaneous act at the Laugh Factory tonight.” seems like a valid Twitter announcement, but “sitting at home with a glass of wine.” not something I want.” -Elizabeth

“I know that it is all the rage right now and I have investigated it sufficiently to know that it is a valuable tactic. I recommend Twitter as a tool for my clients when instant communication is critical such as incorporating it into emergency preparadeness plans and disaster communications plans… However, it is one tactic among many in a multi-channel marketing scheme. I worry that abuse by over-eager pitchmen and sales approaches will render it SPAM in no time. Twitter, used correctly, is intended to engage and alert. Quite frankly, I don’t use it regularly because I don’t want people “following” me all day and I am not Dorothy Parker with witty and substantive things to say every hour of every day.” -Linda

“Although one of my colleagues would disagree I think someone should point out that the “Emperor has no clothes”. I know there are numerous stories of companies benefiting by their involvement with Twitter, but two years from now will the buzz & benefits still exist? Really, who has the time or sincere desire to follow the trifling details of another’s life or a corporation’s new product release?” - Jim

“An entity that isn’t in the black in spite of enormous popularity has a credibility problem when suggesting it is “the” vehicle for others to promote themselves… I see nothing that Twitter has to offer that I can’t accomplish with e-mail or similar web-based tools that are “too legit to qwit”.” - Susan

“As a lawyer, I don’t see what I could say in 140 characters that would be meaningful enough to interest potential clients or those who might refer clients.” - Richard

“I’m not using it because of the limit on what one can type. Also, since I do not ever care to type into a tiny device, that pretty much constrains my usage of such apps to a desktop.” - Bill

“Though Twitter offers me the ability to get up-to-date information that could be important to me (Sound Transit or Traffic information would be a very good example), I’ve chosen not to participate, as there are other ways of getting the information I need. Plus, I don’t feel the need to know minute details of the lives of others, nor do I need to feel the need to share mine.” - Brett

Why don’t your  friends and colleagues Tweet? Do you think they SHOULD?