Twitter is a service that broadcasts 140 character notes through the twitter community of approximately 1 million users.  Think of it as a mini blog, that can be placed on websites , added to social networking profile pages, sent to mobile phones, etc.  Users can update their "tweets" via mobile phones, PDAs, instant messaging services, and a host of widgets, so many users don't even sign in to the actual site.  According to Tech Crunch there are about 3 million twitter messages broadcast every day, so my question to your company is - why aren't you part of the action?

Many companies do operate twitter accounts, keeping clients and customers in the loop.   These include Dell, General Motors, Jet Blue - and the biggest success story - Zappos.com .  So get in on the action - the username "B2BMasterMind" is still available!

Twitter Terms:
Tweet - an 140 character update, like a new note.
Follower - The Twitter profiles receiving your updates ("tweets") on their homepage.
Following - The profiles a given Twitter account is receiving tweets from.

 Why Your Company Should Twitter:
1.    Easier than blogging. 140 characters or 400 words?  Forget debates over grammar, coming up with content is no longer a struggle, and your employees wont avoid you in the halls when there hasn't been an update in a week or two.  
2.    Simple Way To Update Your Website.   Add a twitter widget to your website and your tweets are automatically updated, so clients can always see what your company is up to.  Both Twitter Feed and Widget Box have created feeds.
3.    Free Advertising.  Every time you update, your username and tweet pop to the top of your follower's homepages.   The more you update, the more you will dominate their list.  But be sure to strike balance - spamming or recycling the same comment will probably deter them from following you.   Check out Woot's twitter, a site that "focuses on selling cool stuff cheap", they advertise one new product each day. 

How To Twitter A Company:
1.    News Updates.  Did your company just send out an exciting mailing, announce a new product, or change the logo?  Let the world know about these decisions, it will keep your followers informed.
2.    Get Client Feedback.  Twitter users love responding to questions.  Ask about your products, and don't be afraid to extend the subject matter.  Twitter is an opportunity for clients to see your personality, so if you're looking for a child entertainer for your annual company picnic - let them know!  
3.    Your Company Evangalist = Twitter Star!  Tony Hseih, CEO of Zappos, is a Twitter star.  He has 15,000 people following his every word because he's funny, great at interacting with audiences, and keeps users updated on Zappos developments.  Or create a character, as Mars Candy did with their "Ms.Green" from the M&Ms lineup.  Your company could be holding the next twitter celebrity...
4.    Inter-company communication.   Imagine everyone staying on the same page at work via twitter updates.  No emails crowding your inbox, just tweets on a homepage.
5.    Find Fans.   Use a twitter engine like Steve's to find mentions of your company on twitter.  Perhaps people are talking about you (or your competitors) and you don't even know it!  Blogger Jonathon Fields was followed by Jet Blue only a couple minutes after tweeting that he was in a Jet Blue terminal. 

What are your experiences with Twitter?  Does it sound like a fad that'll die out soon enough, or is it an amazing bit of software?