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Twitter on the scrap heap of technology?

A few months ago, everyone was talking and offering advice on Podcasting.

If you weren't podcasting, you were doomed
Podcasting is the only way to get business
Your business will end without Podcasting
etc.

I haven't heard much about Podcasting recently, but Twitter seems to be all the rage now. If the same arguments;

If your not Tweeting, you are doomed
Tweeting is the only way to get business
Your business can't keep up, and will end without Twitter
etc.

I don't know for certain, but from what I do know, and with a perspective on historical technology innovations, I just dont see Twitter as being that great, different, or economicaly beneficial.

For the record, I think Twitter is the next VHS, it's just a matter of time.

Posted by Stuart Dobson on 04/02/2009 04:21 PM

Comments (14)

Twitter vs. Podcasting in the Technology and Tools Channel

twitter, podcasting, advertising, technology

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14 Comments on Twitter on the scrap heap of technology?

APR

I agree...maybe you and I are missing something, but why in the world does everyone in the world need to be able to 'follow' me on Twitter?

I don't want to be followed. I just want buyers to be able to find me when they want me and I am hoping that is one on the phone now.

Bye....

Stuart - You may be right about the future and things may change, but I am happy to report that I have already had multiple closings from Twitter, and I recruited two terrific agents that I met there first. I also found an awesome loan officer for my clients. It's a great place to network, at least for now.

I agree with you, Stuart.

If "everyone" is doing something, then I do something entirely different. This makes me stand out.

"Everyone" is broadcasting their marketing message via Twitter, Blogs, and Videos of them blabbing away.

I'm a guerilla marketer down to my bone marrow. So I'm dialing back my marketing techniques by using free and low cost methods used pre-internet.

I'm in the middle of a fax campaign. (Since virtually all my prospects get fax via email, I think faxing is now ethical.) When it creates specific services and name recognition for me (7 exposures minimum), I'll pick up the phone and/or drive to the offices of prospective clients and referrers.

"Everyone" is using website visitor counters and other tech gadgets to get on the first page of Google. I am very low tech and I still manage to have info about me appear 7 times on the first page of Google results for the 2 most popular words my clients use to search (I always ask new clients which words they used).

Shocking, eh? My unpopular practices are working great.

I'm getting more and more notary work paying $100 an hour an up, cash on the table or business check for the full amount attached to the mailed work order. And my marketing books are selling well.

I will happily admit that I have found (on ActiveRain) some great colleagues to swap terrific marketing tips with.

You know what works, Stuart, and are not swayed by what "everyone" is doing.

Good on you.

Hi Jason,

You're very tech bleeding edge. I've seen your blogs and I'm glad it's working for you. I guess I just don't 'get it' with Twitter yet. Maybe in a few more months when it can be proven to me a little more.

Stuart

Lynda,

Ahh yes, the telephone...what a concept for people to communicate. lol

Hi Laura,

I love it when people re-discover new applications of so called 'old technologies'. It sounds like you are really having success! I would like to speak with you about the Google ranking via faxing connection more...

Stuart

I'm probably doomed then....although I guess I keep getting people to my website from Twitter... no real idea how! I can only do a few things, and try and do them well.

Oh Stuart. You are being controversial and using Twitter in the title of your post.

Guaranteed Active Rain Success!:)

Anyway, I am just getting into Twitter. I am with Jason. Great networking tool, for now. You have to be ready to roll...

Thanks for writing,

Ken

Ok Ken,

so though current vote is:

3 For

3 (myself included) against or at least not seeing it...

But I'm still open to learning!

thanks, Stuart

I agree with you Stuart. I haven't really jumped into Twitter with both feet yet & I kind of came to the decision that right about the time I decide to do that is the time when Twitter will be yesterday's news. Glad to know I'm not totally bananas & someone else sees this as a probable scenario too.

It's hard to say where the whole social networking thing will go. I still keep resisting twitter but something tells me I'm missing out.

APR

It will work for some but not all. I say find what works best for you and stick with it.

Hi, Stuart

You said "Google ranking via faxing connection."

I'm sorry I wasn't clear in my comment. The two are not related.

I do lots of low-tech things to get on the first page of Google. My ActiveRain profile is one of them. Posting announcements full of my client's favorite search words on CraigsList monthly is another. When potential clients look for me, they use the internet.

My fax campaign is to find new clients. I fax to specific companies in a few VERY tightly profiled industries. I get the company names and numbers from Reference USA (free via my public library's website).

I had asked my local Small Business Development Center (ranked 11th nationwide) to use their terrific database accessibility (expensive ones like Dunn & Bradstreet and Lexis-Nexus) but they said they couldn't find anything matching my detailed profiles. I found a few hundred companies on my own using a less powerful database.

Most people hand off research to a secretary or hires a company to make a list but I think marketing research is too important. It's like doing your own income taxes. No one is more motivated to find deductible expenses than you! That's why I do my own research now.

Your post is timely for me, Stuart. A distant attorney client just hired me for a new service he wants his firm to offer. He hired me to do the market research, design the marketing plan, write the marketing materials, and find & teach 6 local freelancers how to do the marketing. For getting new clients for his new service, internet marketing is absolutely useless: it's all about personal referrals. (Just like using the internet to market cancer surgery would be stupid. For something that important and scary, people want personal referrals.)

I'm having a ball with this project.

APR

Yes, I am a "newby" but I have to admit this technology stuff is fun! However, I know you can totally get involved with your toys and hide out. I think it is very important to not forget the most important part of our business - the people. Remember to actually talk to them and communicate with them. Some of the "old ways" are still very revelant today.

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