Twitter these days....

I was reading, "The Inside Numbers on Twitter", from eMarketer. The article is about a hack attack on Twitter and  where hackers stole information and posted it on the net. The information is the internal projected growth numbers of the micro-blogging service through 2011.

Twitter estimated that 25 million people worldwide would be using the service by the end of 2009.

• 2009: 25 million users
• 2010: 100 million users (300% growth)  
• 2011: 350 million users (250% growth)

The firm projected that it would have 100 million users in 2010 and 350 million in 2011.

The article goes on to say the projections are overly optimistic and that about 60% of new users use the service only once. Hey, we all know that it is not for everybody. But, for those that use Twitter regularly, it provides a dynamic tool for broadcasting messages, scooping breaking news, tapping in to real time conversations, as well as real time search. So, yeah, it is useful and it fits right in there with other social media tools. By any user standard, that is a great roi (usefulness factor) considering Twitter is a free service.

On the flipside, Twitter as a business might have been better off taking Facebooks reportedly $500 million. Although, I still strongly believe Twitter will come up with a viable business model. Yes, one that will make money. Who knows. Already, twitter has enabled entire eco-system built around it. Besides, who is to say what the founders will settle for. Maybe, just maybe, for once it is not all about MONEY.

What's a tweet worth? 1 cents, 5 cents,. 22 tweets for a buck? How about a weekly or monthly ticket?

Anyway, here are a few links to using Twitter. Enjoy.

"How to Win Friends and Twinfluence Tweeple" by Darren Williger is an excellent starter kit for new twitters. Check it out.

For more on twitter, check out my delicious bookmarking accout, http://delicious.com/jwilde/twitter