When I first signed up for twitter, I didn’t get it. Someone had posted an update - it seemed so mundane, why did I care? And besides, you’re so limited in the number of words you can put per update - what was the use?

I let my account sit for a while. But I change of heart during Ed Dale’s Thirty Day Challenge for 2007. Twitter was a big part of the method for the challenge. And, I’ve heard it in the wind somewhere (I get Ed Dale’s marketing emails) that it will be an even bigger part this year.

So what’s the big deal? Here’s what it’s good for:

• Develop relationships. Even the mundane has a purpose. You’re getting to know each other in a way that doesn’t disrupt your work schedule. Since the updates are so short, updating and replying to people only takes a minute or two.

• Promote your blog. When I post to my blog, I mention it so that my twitter friends can see. In return, when they post their website updates or blog posts, I click the link, read it, and maybe make a comment. The readers you get from twitter are highly personalized because they already feel they know you.

• Get work / Outsource. Not everyone in my friends list does what I do. There are programmers, writers who specialize in different things from me, internet marketers, editors, etc. Sometimes when people need to outsource, they’ll go right to their twitter friends and hire someone from there. So, you can either be the one to outsource, or you can grab the work when you see it!

• Ask questions. I’ve had a lot of questions lately - especially since starting this blog. I’ve gotten a lot of helpful answers right on twitter. You can ask anything! People will answer.

Covinced? Or do you have a twitter account already? Feel free to follow me, and I’ll follow you in return.