Twitter

Twitter is a Social Media giant at the current time, and its real time premise is definitely the main draw for many Twitter users.

(A Link to My Twitter)

My Top 3 Organizations on Twitter (That I am currently following)

1. The Disney Store -- Connecting with customers on multiple levels is the Disney way of customer care. The Disney Store's Twitter definitely gets the win on this one. From advertising, special Twitter deals, customer interaction and even standard customer service all on the Disney Store's Twitter. Customer questions are answered or redirected to the appropriate party, and even the Disney Store President is copied on customer service related tweets. Disney is known for customer service and customer interaction. It is no wonder that even their Twitter is geared to the customer. (30796 Followers as of 11/7/2011).

2. Gaia Online -- Gaia Online's Twitter is geared towards updating the follower on new items available in the shops on Gaia Online, advertising special events, and seeking customer feedback. Gaia is consistent with their Twitter updates and seeking follower feedback. One thing Gaia's Twitter does that is very alluring to Gaia Online members is the interactivity and connectivity with the staff and developers of Gaia Online. One other big bonus from Gaia Online is that they try to follow their followers, and do so for a greater percentage of their followers than The Disney Store and CSU.  (14,807 Followers as of 11/7/2011)

3. Cleveland State University -- The biggest issue with CSU's usage of twitter is there are so many 'alternate' CSU Twitter accounts. Strangely enough if you look for Cleveland State University on Twitter, their actual twitter account is not the one that pops up. In fact the twitter user has to search CSU's official Twitter out, which is most easily done from the college's website.  Once CSU's Twitter page can be located there is a significant amount of current and relevant tweets for the follower. However, there are only 542 followers (As of 11/7/2011) of the official CSU Twitter account. The Unofficial CSU Twitter account has 1036 Followers (As of 11/7/2011). Hmmm. So much for engaging students. If they aren't following, then how can the Twitter even be a relevant outlet?

5 Effective Use of Twitter Should include the following guidelines:

1. Post Regularly.
2. Relevant Material
3. Interact with your Customers/Followers
4. Follow your Followers
5. Keep Tweets Professional and to the Point

Twitter is better suited for some organizations over others. Organizations that are trying to reach a vast number of customers and have consistent and time oriented information releases would benefit from using Twitter. Groups that do not have consistent and time oriented updates would not be able to use Twitter to it's fullest and would benefit greater from other Social Networking websites that aren't nearly as real time/instant oriented.

Other Social Networking Platforms

Vampirefreaks.com -- Vampirefreaks is a social networking site for those who are into the Goth/Emo/Vampire lifestyles and music. There are profiles, groups, photo albums, journals and rating systems. There is even a way for paid users to temporarily ban people from the site who break the rules. Paid users get some extra perks, but the majority of perks go to any members, it is just levels of frequency and amount are more regulated for free accounts. Free customers are also subject to viewing ads, but where this website excels in marketing is for music and Goth/Emo/Vampire related wares with groups/cults and advertisements.

Gaiaonline.com -- Gaia Online is a social networking site for those who are fans of anime and/or role playing. On this site users can have forums, guilds/groups, a journal, a profile, a friendslist, and a customizable avatar. Users earn gold for posting and interacting with others and can also  exclusive virtual items with real cash. Gaia offers advertising for companies on the sidebar of the website. They also allow users to build groups or guilds in regards to specific products or services. Some companies even get to have exclusive Gaia events for Gaia users to participate in. It is definitely a marketing opportunity.

Photobucket.com -- Photobucket is a photo and video sharing Social Network geared towards photo and video sharing, editing and storage. It offers tools for editing, an unlimited amount of uploads and various quick ways to add your images and videos to websites, blogs, emails and chat forums. Photobucket can be used as a marketing outlet in two ways: advertisements on the sidebar, and companies/organizations being able to make albums dedicated to their services and wares and then sharing them with others.