Why advertising will not kill Twitter

April 27th, 2009

19 comments

Posted in: Front Page News, Industry Pulse

Just like anything, Twitter is hated among some people purely for the reason that so many others love it. The human psychology of Twitter is that it’s easier to love something someone hates and vice versa. But Twitter actually plays on the human nature of people in many interesting ways, and this is what makes it hard to avoid.

I was once a Twitter “non-believer”, SHOCKED? I know - but it’s true, you can blame the month of dead silence coming from the Official Chitika Twitter account on boring ol’ me before I was shown the Twit-light - not to be confused with the teen-girl phenomenon Twilight, of course.

Simply put, how else could you directly listen, in real time to, or connect, with someone you may have otherwise never seen or heard a word from ever in your lifetime? Twitter. It’s almost as if you took a super-telescope and pointed it around the world, into your customers, users, publishers, heroes and even idols computer screens where they are typing their very thoughts, options and actions. Simply put again, Twitter directly connects you to a world ultimately unreachable & unseen.

Let Twitter play to your EGO
Don’t stand behind the super-telescope forever. Get out there and talk. Meet people, talk to people.. because they want to talk to you. Once you start getting followers, RT’s, @’s and direct messages- you will feel very relevant in the Tworld. And unlike Facebook, MySpace, etc., this never gets boring. Why? There is always a larger audience, access to more people and their lives, stories, opinions, friends & followers without trying or having to friend request them. It’s more reachable than other social networks, so it will be less likely to lose your interest. And because Twitter cleverly plays into personal ego, it would be hard for someone to leave. This emotional connection will keep it afloat for a very long time, and this is why advertising will not kill Twitter…

Twitter and advertising
What gives Twitter an edge over Facebook and Myspace is right now, it’s the only of its kind. Twitter also has a dominant number of people who use Twitter for business reasons because it brings great value. So the question is not whether advertising will kill Twitter (because thats impossible) but how much it will be affected. I do not see a domino-effect of dropped users just because of ads, but I do see many being annoyed about it.

But even then, will users really be able to give up the on-going benefits? We already know that Twitter captures an emotional involvement to people, and right now, the only content on someone’s Twitter page is info all about them. So advertising could either cause a personal invasion to users, which could alter the way people feel about Twitter or use it, or they could value the benefits of the system and move on. Nothing in life is free. Who could really blame Twitter for falling into the human nature of survival? How can someone criticize something they use for free for wanting due-financial credit? So my answer is, no. But that’s just me…

What are your thoughts about advertising on Twitter?

-Karla Escolas - Chitika, Inc.

Follow Karla on Twitter! @KarlaChitika

More on Twitter:
Advertising on Twitter, by Dan Ruby

19 Responses to “ Why advertising will not kill Twitter ”

1. 
   Anita McCants Says:
   April 28th, 2009 at 9:59 pm

   Great post!

2. 
   Liz Says:
   April 29th, 2009 at 7:37 am

   I really feel Twitter is acting on people like a drug or addictive substance (like coffee). By the time the advertising begins, people will not like the “side effects”, but will need Twitter too much to leave.

3. 
   Chitika Says:
   April 29th, 2009 at 9:11 am

   Thank you for your comments Anita and Liz.

   Speaking of coffee, I just gave it up 2 weeks ago, the side effects of that weren’t fun!

   I have been reading more and more that younger generations (that prefer Myspace and Facebook’s technique/style) are confused my Twitter’s interface. I don’t believe Twitter is a good match for these people.

   If you don’t take the little time to figure it out, then it wasn’t meant for you to begin with. I think mostly businesses, people who work with other people regularly & online publications, etc., will truly think its worth it.. thoughts?

4. 
   Jamal Says:
   April 29th, 2009 at 3:56 pm

   yes I agree that Meet people, talk to people is the best way to bringe traffic to your blog.
   nice artical

5. 
   Lawrence Says:
   April 30th, 2009 at 7:33 pm

   Twitter may not be used as a friendship or social networking sites due its some limitations ,but it is a powerful communication tool to circulate your ideas and propaganda to thousands of followers with a click of mouse.So that Twitter is recommended for corporates or web publishers who can provide daily or regular updates .

   In My opinion,displaying ads on Twitter will not affect the popularity of this micro-blogging platform, because most twitters use it for commercial interests.And regarding advertising options on twitter profile pages,some players like Twittad are already in.

6. 
   Bacchus Says:
   May 1st, 2009 at 7:35 am

   I do think it will effect the platform somewhat negatively. Twitter is cool because it’s free and clean of clutter. It’s very streamline in it’s look and feel.

   Putting ads on your twitter page should be your own choice and you should be the one to profit from it. Twitter needs to take a page out of google’s book and start a publishing program just for twitter users. If they would share a piece of revenue with the users they would embrace the ads with far more love!

   By the way Chitika, you should own your own blogging platform.

7. 
   Indian Television Media News Says:
   May 2nd, 2009 at 10:28 pm

   Nice post, i am following you on twitter.

8. 
   work and play Says:
   May 9th, 2009 at 8:57 pm

   I recently joined up with twitter. I started following a couple of peeps and I thought one guy was pretty funny when he said he asked to be removed from the list of “People You Might Be interested In Following”. LOLOL.

   Personally I hate ads when they interupt my browsing to the next page.. or if they BLINK too much, other than that, I don’t mind “too” awlful much.

   WE ALL NEED TO GET PAID :)

9. 
   Robert Says:
   May 12th, 2009 at 10:45 am

   Hi, I can�t understand how to add your site in my rss reader. Can you Help me, please :)

10. 
    Sabre Says:
    May 12th, 2009 at 7:06 pm

    Watch Twitter start figuring more into SEO.
    Their real time stats on popular subjects is already better than Google and Yahoo.
    Just watch Twitter Trends for a day or two.

11. 
    Leah Says:
    May 15th, 2009 at 2:14 am

    Twitter is perfect for Advertising simply because there is no room for hype or added sales pitches. 140 characters forces ads to be straight to the point or, say very little in order to get the click.

    It’s only annoying when the users you choose to follow send AUTOMATIC irrelevant ads every 2-3 seconds. THAT is clutter and NOT good for anyone.

    ADS should be interesting to their followers and if not, the de-follow key will be used like the delete key is for email junk.

    Keep the mass marketing, stealth tactic using, self-proclaimed gurus OUT. Bring in the advertisers looking for suspects - meaning, please DO send us great deals and opportunities that you “suspect” your followers will be interested in.

    Followers that find value will recommend your @follow to everyone they know, and don’t know — even #FollowFriday if you work it smart.

    It’s MORE than just a numbers game now. Go for TARGETED numbers and you will have more buyers and happy followers.

    Who doesn’t want to hear about something great? New or not, it must be WANTED…its your job to deliver what YOUR followers WANT, not the other way around.

12. 
    Paul Care Says:
    May 26th, 2009 at 5:33 am

    @Robert what RSS reader are you refering to? If you let me know the reader I can help you fully

13. 
    Edward Cullen Says:
    May 28th, 2009 at 2:57 pm

    Great post.
    Most of my friends on Facebook don’t get Twitter. They’re having difficulty figuring it out and what its used for. They don’t know the true meaning of having an account.

    So I think, Twitter needs to figure out how to appeal to all.

    I love Twitter, if they decide to monetize, I wont mind.

    CB

14. 
    Justin Says:
    May 30th, 2009 at 3:21 pm

    Whoa… this site is pretty awesome :) your layout is really well designed, and your blogs are (judging from what i’ve read) very interesting. heehee… consider yourself favorited. :-P

15. 
    Kathy Says:
    June 15th, 2009 at 12:00 am

    I love twitter too! I have learned about so many new tools for growing my business. It’s fast and easy. I think it will be be monetize tastefully. I’m there for the content- and the speed to use. I hope they can make enough money to fund the expansion. Right now there are lots of interruptions with the service.

16. 
    Bennett %9 Says:
    June 30th, 2009 at 11:31 am

    Super-Duper site! I am loving it!! Will come back again, Thanks.

17. 
    Marlon Says:
    June 30th, 2009 at 4:20 pm

    Thats great material, like your stuff, just passing to say hi!

18. 
    Juan M. Says:
    August 30th, 2009 at 3:13 pm

    I liked reading your blog…keep up the good work.

19. 
    affiliateprogramsitewebgirl Says:
    August 31st, 2009 at 8:36 am

    Great! It is really an interesting concept!

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