For many people, the importance and reach of Twitter is obvious. Some have not yet seen the importance, but they will. You could stand in any room and ask people a simple show-of-hands question: “How many people here used the Internet ten years ago?” and you would see a decent number of hands. If you pulled that back a few years, a lot of hands would lower.
By now, we all notice television, radio, print, and other media talking about and writing about Twitter. They are the early-adopters. They are the ones you can expect to hear from again, and you can count on to listen and understand how media involves community today. Others may find it increasingly harder to have a voice if they let time slip by without embracing Twitter and other social media.
As an example to show the usefulness of Twitter, and its reach, I just sent a late-breaking, last-minute press release to some local news agencies. I will tweet about it. I will be sure that if they are watching their industry, they will cover it, or at least tweet me to let me know they heard it.
Please see the press release below, and ask yourself, “If I am a news director, what do I do with this?” I invite you to give your thoughts in the comments of this blog post.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Topeka Author Talks With Local Business Owners About Using Twitter
Why is the whole world talking about Twitter? Author Mark Aaron Murnahan (Twitter @murnahan) answered many questions about Twitter each day, until the Twitter community asked him to write a book about it.
Today, Mark will speak to Topeka Business owners about benefits of using Twitter.
Topeka, Kansas – 3 August 2009: Twitter has created a communication style that cannot be denied. With millions of users “tweeting” the latest happenings, it is hard to call it a fad. After learning of a structure fire one hundred yards away from home that was reported on Twitter by a local television station, Murnahan was convinced that Twitter deserved a closer look. At noon today, Mark will speak to a group of Topeka business owners at The Blind Tiger Brewery and Restaurant about why Twitter is important to them.
It is easy to see that television, radio, and print media have found usefulness in Twitter, and Hollywood clearly loves “tweeting”. Last fall, presidential candidates rushed to the service, and during an outbreak of Swine Flu, the Centers for Disease Control used Twitter to send and receive updates on the impending threat. All of this publicity leads many people to Twitter.com each day to find out what it is all about. Many are still left with a lot of questions on how it can be useful to them.
Murnahan says: “The simplicity of Twitter makes it very attractive. That same simplicity also leaves many people with questions of how it can be useful in their business and personal lives. I want to answer those questions, because when more people understand Twitter, we all benefit.”
“Twitter for Business: Twitter for Friends” is available on Amazon.com or at tfbtff.com and is expected to be released in major retail outlets soon.
About the Author
Mark’s background in Internet technology reaches back to the mid-1990’s, and he is the CEO of YourNew.com, Inc. He has used Twitter to engage with thousands of people around the world. It has been a study in people, cultures, current events, friendship, business development, and public relations. With over 22,000 Twitter updates to-date, hundreds of thousands reading his “tweets”, and frequently topping the charts at third party user rating services, it is easy to see that this book was written by a true fan of Twitter.
For more information, please contact Mark Aaron Murnahan toll free at 866-293-2489, by Twitter @murnahan or visit http://twitterforbusinesstwitterforfriends.com.
###
Follow up:
Here is a compilation of clips from the event.
Subscribe by Email
Subscribe in a Reader
Mark you are a wealth of information. I wish I could be a fly on the wall so to speak at this meeting! One thing I have noticed about you is that is you can make Twitter easily accessible to everyone. You’ve helped me understand so much, and I’m looking forward to your book immensely!
Comment by Jenna — August 3, 2009 @ 4:24 am
You were one of my very first friends on Twitter. I can honestly say that if it were not for you I would have probably given up on it months ago. Twitter is an awesome tool if you know how to use it to your benefit! Problem is, until now many have not had “@murnahan” as their personal Twitter Coach
Businesses are now beginning to see the potential in Twitter and have no idea how to capture the power of it. My friends daughter just started a new job for a new company. The owner told her that she needed to get an account on twitter and get their name out there. She had no idea what to do. She had never “tweeted” before. So my friend went out and bought her a book. Thats when I found out about her daughters frustration. She had come to me for some help, asked me if the book she bought would be useful. I glanced through it, then looked at her and said, “Tell your daughter to go to @murnahan. He knows more about Social Media and Twitter than anyone I have ever known or heard of”. I directed her to your website. Your book sales are going to soar as more and more businesses, schools, everyday people figure out how useful Twitter can be to everyone who uses it.
I applaud your efforts Mark. I know you have met with alot of haters who have tried to bring you down and make you look bad. You want my honest opinion, I think the press release is great and todays meeting is one of many to come
You have what many similar authors do not have, you care about the people you tweet with. I think if you want to really capture the power of Twitter, that HAS to be a main ingredient.
Take Care and HAVE FUN at your meeting!!
@Brandisco
Comment by Brandi Faulkner — August 3, 2009 @ 12:08 pm
“…when more people understand Twitter, we all benefit.”
People can’t help but “know” about Twitter after hearing about it through traditional(old?) and social(new?) media.
If anyone can explain the who, what, where when, which & why of Twitter in a very easy to understand way then Mark is the one to do it.
These Topeka business owners will really know Twitter after today. But only if they decide to get on board and actively engage… and truly discover, as Mark has said “the usefulness of Twitter, and why it is important to each of us.”
Comment by Yoon Ho Um — August 3, 2009 @ 1:44 pm
Here is a compilation of clips from the event.
Comment by Mark Aaron Murnahan — August 3, 2009 @ 9:31 pm
“I signed up, I don’t know what to do…”
I wonder how many people have shared that same thought… I know that when I signed up I did pretty much NOTHING with Twitter. I went to Plurk “The Twitter Killer” instead. BUT…
I am very glad that I decided to give Twitter another try. I never would have made the FRIENDS I have today if it weren’t for Twitter.
And I wouldn’t have been able to make business contacts as well. Twitter makes it easy.
Some of the people I adore(yes, I realize this is a strong word to use) are: @ErinBlaskie, @Murnahan(hey Mark this is YOU! Imagine that…), @MissLindaDee, @ScottATaylor, and many more…
Thanks for sharing your insights with us & BNI Mark.
God Bless,
Yoon
P.S. That Jenna girl is pretty cool & sweet too(Miss #1 Commentator, see above) btw.
Comment by Yoon Ho Um — August 3, 2009 @ 10:42 pm
You are absolutely awesome! I knew you’ll be a success. Not everyone has the key of success but you do my friend!! I’ve taken a look at the TOC, wonderfully organized.. again.. you’ve outdone yourself!!
Congratulations
Comment by ruhani rabin — August 4, 2009 @ 2:03 am
I know I wasn’t on the internet 10 years ago. If we don’t grow and change and adapt to new media, we’ll be left behind.
I’ve learned a few things from Mark by watching. I’ve learned more from him by engaging him in conversations. And when my book arrives (which I’m looking so forward to!) I’ll get to really learn what I could be doing to make Twitter more useful for me. That I can’t thank you enough for Mark…for wanting to help others learn.
And thank you Yooni
The same can be said for you! 
Jenna
Comment by Jenna — August 4, 2009 @ 2:18 am
Mark, this is great! I’m starting to see Twitter take on a greater role in education and I am very curious to see the ways that colleges start adapting Twitter into their curriculum.
Comment by Eugene — September 17, 2009 @ 1:31 am