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by Dale King

In case you haven't heard, there's a "red hot" new messaging service sweeping the planet called Twitter. What's Twitter?

Twitter is a free messaging service. Its been described as a micro-Blogging platform. Speaking in layman's terms, it means you can send a text message (SMS length) either through a website, instant messenger or mobile device to your own customized Twitter page. From there you can add friends (similar to MySpace) who are also using Twitter.

Twitter has also been described as web-based chat. Because similar to Instant Messenger (IM), you have instantaneous communication to a group of people in a short form message.

However, out of all the descriptions I've heard about Twitter, this one from Rick McCharles Blog is the one I like best:

"Twitter, in a nutshell, is mobile social software that lets you broadcast and receive short messages within your social network. - mostly made up of mundane messages in answer to the question, "what are you doing?"

Here's how Twitter describes their service:

"Twitter is for staying in touch and keeping up with friends no matter where you are or what you’re doing. For some friends you might want instant mobile updates—for others, you can just check the web. Invite your friends to Twitter and decide how connected you want you to be."

How does Twitter work?

When you send in a mobile text (SMS), Twitter sends it out to your group of friends and posts it to your Twitter page. Your friends might not have phone alerts turned on so they may check your web page instead. Likewise, you receive your friends mobile updates on your phone.

So, what's the point of Twitter?

Basically, it's to let people know what you are doing now...right this minute.

For example, if I were a Twitter subscriber and you were on my friends list, I would send you a message telling you I'm writing an interesting article about Twitter right now.

So how did Twitter come about?

Well, according to information on their website, Twitter was born as an interesting side project within the offices of Odeo.com in March of 2006.

Twitter is part of the Obvious Corporation in San Francisco, California.

Is Twitter a fad?

Some people think Twitter is nothing but a fad. However, those same people said the same thing about Blogs.

Here's what I think:

The networking and sharing ideas aspect of Twitter are obvious. However, Twitter could have a significant relevancy to marketing. For example, product reviews, surveys, contest announcements and much, much more.

And no one can deny that Twitter is a fast, easy and convenient way to stay in touch and discover the latest trends.

Fad? No. I think Twitter is here to stay.

To learn more about Twitter, go to to twitter.com

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