Call me old-fashioned, but I still think the telephone is the best way to reach out and touch someone. Perhaps that’s why Twitter, one of the Web’s recent micro-blogging sensations, seemed frivolous to me when I first saw it.

In real time, Twitter allows users to post quick and dirty updates such as “Done with lunch. Tried the $.99 buffalo chickens from Wendys. No Frosty, though.” and “Pretending to work.” (Actual posts from Twitter’s Web site on May 17.) It’s hard to believe there are folks out there interested in broadcasting life’s humdrum moments.

This begs the question, if you use Twitter, does that make you a twit? As more users log on to Twitter, some PR and marketing types say no. You can view some commentary here about the growth of “twittering” compared to blogging.

As agencies of the future, we need to recognize and harness new forms of interactive media whether we “get” them or not. Even if a particular form of communication might seem trivial to you doesn’t mean that it is. Just look at blogs a few years ago and how people’s opinions have changed drastically.

An “I don’t get it, let’s ignore it” attitude may be the downfall of the industry as more people engage Web 2.0. As PR and marketing experts, we always need to seek ways to integrate new technology into client offerings where appropriate. So, how would you use Twitter?

Related posts:

1. Tweet is the Word
2. Blogging — Is it right for you?
3. Take Me Out to the Blog Game, Part II
4. It’s (December) Madness!
5. Shaking away doubts about the staying power of interactive public relations and new media

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About the author:

Debra Yemenijian joined Schubert as a Sr. Social Media & PR Executive after six years as a medical editor and writer. She is a Penn State graduate and currently is pursuing her MBA. Debra is also a ballet teacher and dabbles in community theater and jewelry design on the side.