I just wrote a couple posts about how companies are using Twitter ( http://sarahlokitis.com/2009/03/23/zappos-microblogging-with-twitter/#comments and http://sarahlokitis.com/2009/03/28/southwest-blogs-and-twitter/ ). I found that Twitter is an excellent way for a company to inform its “followers” quickly and concisely. Some companies spend a lot of time on Twitter updating on weather or customer service. Zappos and Southwest have really established conversational tones that reveal a fun, thoughtful personality. Shel Holtz wrote on his blog (
http://blog.holtz.com/index.php/weblog/twitter_gateway_to_substantive_content/Tweets ) about the importance of Twitter leading “followers” to new information through links. I have used Twitter lately to listen to what others are saying and the people I am “following” have linked to interesting articles and videos. It is easy to build relationships and learn about other people through Twitter.

I believe that because of the character limit and the fact it is a new social media application, Twitter does not have to remain completely serious with topics only related to their company. Companies should be professional, but do not have to always speak formally to their audience. Twitter should establish a human quality to the organization.

What I worry about with the “Twitter manners” is when does a professional, serious banker’s tone, cross the line into a distant advertising voice.

But I also think Twitter will grow in the corporate world. It’s a great way for communications professionals to practice concise writing techniques.

I love that you blogged about Twitter. I know it is continuing to become more and more popular everyday and I think that tweet “norms” or dialect is increasing, too. Twitter slang is almost necessary sometimes because of the restricted 140 characters. I know this doesn’t necessarily mean the words “bummer” and “supercool” should always be used, but I don’t see it as a bad thing. Of course it depends on the company. I would expect Wachovia to appear more professional simply because they are a bank. Comcast is a company that provides media to the public and I find it acceptable to speak in a more nonchalant tone.

In a previous post of mine I discussed the social media outlets of Carnival Cruise Line.http://nicolemfiorella.com/2009/03/05/communication-on-a-cruise-ship/ They also use Twitter in the same manner as Southwest. Carnival provides weather, boat, and activity updates in a very casual tone. Comcast and Carnival have the ability to tweet in this tone because their demographic can relate to them in such a dialect.

I think Twitter is definitely up and coming. I have seen the light and am an advocate for Twitter because I find it to be very beneficial for companies and consumers to communicate in a more simple casual manner. Twitter has definitely grown on me, and I hope that eventually others will realize its great capabilities, too.