The microblogging site Twitter has amassed some 6 million users in its few short years of existence. As avid Twitter users ourselves, we got to thinking – who else exactly is out there?
It seems to be a topic of some debate.
A recent post by Allen Weiss on Marketing Prof’s Daily Fix Blog noted that in recently speaking to junior and senior level college business majors – most of whom could be found on Facebook and LinkedIn – were not as familiar with Twitter. He said some considered it a waste of time or even “information overload.”
That seems to suggest that younger users don’t find value Twitter. And if you look to that age group to predict the future of social networking, it might imply that Twitter isn’t an important or viable a tool as we thought.
But we disagree – for two reasons.
First, Facebook’s deal-makers have been trying to acquire Twitter. Business Week reported recently that talks have stalled on the Twitter takeover, with Facebook reps offering $100 million andmore in stock.
If there wasn’t some evidence that Twitter would continue its massive growth, the price tag and negotiation wouldn’t have been there in the first place.
And if those numbers aren’t enough, let’s talk Skittles.
The rainbow-colored candy recently revamped its Web site giving credence to the microblogging social network. Visit Skittles.com you’re welcomed by a Twitter search page detailing all the current chatter on Skittles. And boy, has it got people talking and tweeting. Love it or hate it Skittles sees Twitter as its best bet to share information about its brand online.
Our take? Maybe Twitter’s early adopters aren’t coming from the 20-and-under crowd. But we’re willing to venture a guess and say those college students in question will have Twitter handles of their own soon enough.
Facebook might be the network of preference at the college level, but once out in the business world, we imagine these young professionals will find new and engaging uses for Twitter too.
For a site that can be used for everything from finding a job to connecting with peers to sharing news in real time, Twitter seems to have a bright future ahead.
We’re not cheerleading any one social network over another. We’re simply saying with as fast as the social media landscape is growing and evolving – perhaps predictors of its future can no longer be limited to any one demographic.
What do you think? Are you a Twitter fan – tell us why or why not. Or follow us at Publicity_Works.
