As every Twitter user knows, the popular microblogging site has become a hot spot for spammers intent on carpet bombing users with the usual pitches for government grants, debt-reduction services, and penile-enhancement pills.
The situation is pretty bad, particularly for naïve users who automatically follow people who follow them. This activity, which many newcomers undoubtedly do just to be polite, opens the door to an onslaught of sales pitches from sleazy marketers.
Here’s the bad news: According to a report by Steven Kotler of Fox News, the situation is bound to get worse. Christopher Peri, CEO of Twitfilter, a Web-based app that helps manage income tweets and Twitter followers, says that spammers are getting more sophisticated, and that what we’re seeing now is “Twitter spam 2.0.”
What exactly does this next-gen Twitter spam look like? Using computers to find keywords and target specific users, spammers are unloading messages into users’ timelines. Even worse, these unwanted posts now account for 10 percent of all tweets, Peri claims.
Twitter officials acknowledge they’ve got a serious spam problem, and they’ve taken action to fight the plague -- albeit with limited success. For months they’ve been working to reduce the amount of “follow spam,” which the official Twitter blog describes as ". . . the act of following mass numbers of people, not because you're actually interested in their tweets, but simply to gain attention, get views of your profile (and possibly clicks on URLs therein), or (ideally) to get followed back. Many people who are seeking to get attention in this way have even created programs to do the following on their behalf, which enable them to follow thousands of people at the blink of any eye.”

Is It Spam or Not?

The issue of Twitter spam is tricky, particularly since users sign up to receive tweets from marketers. When retailers like Amazon, Dell, and OfficeDepot blast Twitter feeds touting their latest bargains, is that spam? If you’ve signed up to receive these tweets, probably not. Then again, excessive marketing pitches get annoying fast, and retailers have to be careful not to overdo it.
If you’re having problems managing Twitter spam, check out CIO’s three simply rules to banish the junk tweets

If you use the internet and stay up-to-date with the happenings online, you have likely heard of Twitter before.

Image via CrunchBase

Twitter is a cross between a micro-blog and a social networking website. Most importantly, it is free to use. A Twitter member will share updates with other members. These updates are called Tweets. These updates are in text format and they can be up to 140 characters each. Depending on personal preferences, updates can be sent via instant messaging, RSS feeds, email, Facebook, mobile phones or the Twitter website.

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For the most part, Twitter is used for social networking. Members will message their friends with fun and interesting updates, such as a grade on a paper at school, a spring break trip, and so forth. Although popular with teens and adults of all ages, Twitter is very popular with college students. It allows them to stay in contact with their family and friends back home.

So, are you too busy to call your friends or family on a regular basis? If so, Twitter may be your best option. You can send messages through the Twitter website or your mobile phone. If you are Mac user, as opposed to a PC user, you can also use the Twitterrific desktop program. It allows you to send from your computer without first logging into the website.

Although Twitter is commonly used for social networking purposes, many businesses have started using the service to their advantage. For example, coworkers working jointly on a project can update each other with their progress. This service is also increasing in popularity for businesses where deliveries are required. Updates and changes to a route schedule can easily be uploaded and shared with delivery drivers already in the field.

So, are you a business owner? If so, you can use Twitter to your advantage. Whether you operate a large business or a small one, Twitter can give your business an edge. Although you may not run a factory-style business, your employees may work in a line. For example, one employee must finish their work before another can begin theirs. If that is the case, the free updates that Twitter allows can make it easy for constant communication.

There are over 2 million members at Twitter. Unfortunately, you may not be one of them. As previously stated, Twitter is a cross between a micro-blog and a social networking website. If you use the internet to work, not just for recreation, you might assume that you do not have the time or energy to Twitter. Yes, that may be true, but there is more to it.

So, are you self-employed? Even if you work by yourself, you can still use Twitter to your advantage. Although advertisements are advised against, there are roundabout ways for you to market your business. Whether you are selling a product, service, or a combination of the two, you can spread the word with Twitter. For example, are you employed as a web designer? If so, send a Twitter message to your followers stating that you are working on a new website project. In the event a follower needs a website developed, they may later remember your message and the services you offer.

As you can see, Twitter is more than just a social networking website and a micro-blog. If you aren’t already one of the 2 million users who have tried it, give it a try. With Twitter being free, you have nothing to lose.

Are you an internet marketer? Although you may not technically be employed as one, it is one of the many hats you will and should wear when working online. Do you run a website or blog that sells a product, service, or generat

Image via CrunchBase

es income through affiliate links? If so, you must double as an internet marketer. Why? Because marketing is vital to your success. After all, you will not generate income if consumers do not know you exist.

If you are new to internet marketing, you will turn to the internet for research. You will get many great ideas, including the use of article directory back links, buying advertisements on other sites, exchanging banners with other webmasters, and search engine optimization. These are important internet marketing steps, but to maximize your results, think outside-of-the-box. When you do, you will find Twitter.

Twitter is a social networking micro-blog. Users can communicate with each other through updates, also known as Tweets. Many Twitter members highlight their daily activities, but many also use updates to generate traffic to their websites or blogs and to increase sales. Straight up advertisements are allowed, as long as they do not qualify as spam. With that said, many find the best approach to be taking the roundabout way. If your sell a product or service, drop hints and highlight what you do or what you sell. Be sure to include a link.

As nice as it is to hear that you can use Twitter for internet marketing, as a newbie, you may have a few questions. Continue reading on for answers.

Question: Why use Twitter for internet marketing?

Answer: The better question should be why not. There are over 2 million members on Twitter.com. You will not communicate will all members, but it gives you an amazing opportunity to meet and network with others. By playing your cards right, you can find your targeted market. For example, do you work as a freelance web designer? If so, your target market is those who want to make money through affiliate links or business owners who want a professional website.

Question: How much time does Twitter take?

Answer: It all depends. Like any form of internet marketing, the time and energy you put forth depends on you. With Twitter, you want to take it slow and easy. If you create too many messages directing your followers to products you sell online, your messages may be considered spam. For that reason, send a few Tweets a day. Since Tweets are 140 characters or less, this is easy. The most time consuming part of Twitter is finding and adding contacts.

Question: What can be marketed on Twitter?

Answer: Just about anything. As previously stated, it doesn’t matter whether you sell a product, a service, or if you generate income through affiliate links, you can market yourself on Twitter. You can do so by sending carefully crafted updates. @replies can be sent to members on your list or those you find on Seach.Twitter.com. Look for members that ask questions you can answer. Always provide a link to your website or blog.

Question: Won’t people turn away from advertisements?

Answer: Yes. As previously stated, you want to carefully craft your Tweet messages and @replies. Don’t just say “Come shop at my online store.” Instead, send messages stating that you updated your store, got a new product in, or ask for feedback. Always provide a link and those interested will click, but without feeling forced into doing so.

Question: How much money can I make using Twitter?

Answer: It varies. Twitter is a service that is free to use. You are not paid for using it, but there is income potential. The first step is driving traffic to your website or blog, where you sell a product, service, or have affiliate links displayed. It is, however, important to have something good to sell. No matter how much traffic your generate, poor quality products and services will not sell.

Do you sell on eBay? If so, you may be facing some difficulties. Yes, eBay is still a great place to buy and sell goods online, but it has increas

Image of Ebay Auctions

ed in popularity. This means that you may find more competition. For that reason, you need a way to make your eBay auctions standout. The good news is that you can do so with Twitter.

Twitter is an online social networking website that doubles as a micro-blog. It is user based. To get started, create a free Twitter account. Next, you will need to add contacts. You can do so by importing your contact list from your email account, searching for friends based on name, location, and email address. Many times, when you start following the Twitter conversations of others, they will do the same for you.

Returning back to how you can use Twitter to market your eBay auctions, it is important to not jump right in and get started. If you do, you may make many costly mistakes. These mistakes can do more harm than good.

Twitter, as previously stated, is a social networking website. Most individuals use the service to keep their friends and family updated on their life. It is not uncommon to see messages, otherwise know as Tweets, talking about a new movie, a party attended, school, and so forth. Although Twitter can be used for just about any purpose, you want to avoid sounding spammy or like you are trying to sell something, even though you are.

Once you have developed a list of followers, who are people who will read your updates, you can start marketing your eBay auctions. As for how you can do so, remember to be subtle. Instead of saying “buy the Motorola cell phone I am selling on eBay,” say “I just finished uploading my eBay auctions. Check them out if you want,” and include a link. Although the two messages have the same purpose, they come across differently.

You can also use @replies to your advantage. The best way to do this is to look for updates your contacts send you. For example, if someone says they are looking for things to buy on eBay, send a message. Your message could say something along the lines of “Neat. I sell on eBay, checkout my auctions,” and include a link. Yes, you are outright asking someone to buy your merchandise, but you did so in a response. You did not outright solicit business.

In keeping with @replies, you can search the Twitter website. You can do this at Search.Twitter.com. Here, you can perform a search with the phrase “eBay.” You will then see all Tweets that have eBay in them. Look for those who are shopping on eBay, looking for something in particular, and so forth. Even if you are not a regular follower of that person, you can become one. Send them a message, directing them to your eBay website. To prevent spam, only send one message to one Twitter member and remember to be subtle. Do not instruct them to buy your merchandise, simply encourage them to look.

In short, Twitter is a great way to stay in contact with friends, family members, and coworkers, but it is also an amazing internet marketing tool. If you are an eBay seller who isn’t seeing success or an eBay seller who wants to increase your profits, give Twitter a try. Since the service is free to use, you have nothing to lose, but profits to gain.