TweetROI is a creative concept from search engine marketing know-it-all (okay, well most) @BrianCarter and friends. It is a site trying to provide ROI to both sides of the fence- those who tweet and those who are trying to promote on Twitter.

ROI for Tweeters:

The concept around TweetROI is to give people who are ambassadors of a brand some money for the tweets they are making about that brand. This is meant to be seen as a much better alternative to magpie because you remain in control of your Twitter account, you choose how and when you want to participate, and have the ability to only participate if you agree with the requested Tweet. If you do decide to Tweet for profit, you are only given a suggestion of the message. You have the ability to say what you actually feel. And, it is supposed to be self regulating, because if you constantly tweet out about brands in an unauthentic way, you will lose followers, which will make your TweetROI value go down.

ROI for your company or brand:

Simply put, it’s kind-of a pay-per-click campaign for tweets, but with more authenticity. First, you will choose what you want someone to write about. Are you looking for someone who has tried a new product to give a referral or maybe chat about an upcoming annual event they have attended in the past? Your suggestion is posted to tweeters who fit the profile of who you want to tweet about what your promotion. Similar to how you set parameters for pay-per-click, you can choose the amount you will pay per tweet, the length of the campaign, do bidding on campaigns, and set any schedule constraints (so the tweets aren’t done at midnight when all are sleeping). In addition, you choose who tweets about your product based on various criteria about the tweeter like their follower count or quality score.

The big difference from pay per click, is that you do not control the message, you just suggest it. In order to keep the authentic feel of the tweet and have people serve as true ambassadors for your product, your message is just a suggestion. It can be altered to show the real thoughts of the tweeter. This is good for you and the tweeter as it will allow for an authentic message, not just be magpie.

ROI for affiliates:

Since this project is a unique and new concept, TweetROI will need help spreading the word. Once truly in beta, an affiliate program will be launched to reward those that can match corporate prospects of the TweetROI project with TweetROI.

While I will comment more about the business model once the beta launches, I’d love it if the team of creators could put more about themselves up on the site. Also, don’t let the first paragraph confuse you, it isn’t a tool just for non-profits. It’s just that non-profits are provided this service at no charge. For profit companies can sign up for the beta too. And if you are a for profit, I recommend signing up, because it doesn’t obligate you to purchase this product, and it will keep you in the loop about what is coming next so you can choose whether this service is useful for your company.

I am not a creator or developer of TweetROI. I just thought I’d share information about it this new concept to get people talking about it. I’m curious to hear everyone’s thoughts and feelings.

To: Maria Pergolino
Subject: Corporate Twitter Account

I have to put together a business case for us to use Twitter before Friday. We have to get buy-in in our group, then go up to executive management, and then get final approval from our parent company. I need to make sure I squash as many objections as possible. My boss brought up security concerns…along with issues around competitive situations, negative feedback, etc.  Do you have any info on using Twitter for businesses or anything of the sort? Any ideas would be helpful. Thanks!

I quickly replied with the following:

From: Maria Pergolino
Subject: RE: Corporate Twitter Account

You should come to the upcoming Online Media Boot Camp, which is hosting a discussion about this specific topic.   

Essentially, marketing is changing.  People do not want to go to a website anymore, they want to learn about product updates, features, etc. where they already are- in their social networks.  Companies that make this move in the beginning will reap the most benefit as consumers continue to seek information this way.  Imagine if the tweets at your industry show discussed your products and not your competitors.  Companies that are late adopters or who do not adopt, even in industries like insurance or other regulated industries will not survive.   Some people in the industry will adopt and leave the ones that don’t behind.   

Also, people will be talking about you even if you aren’t involved in social media.  Just like people can post pictures of you on Facebook without you being a Facebook user, people can post thoughts, comments, complaints about your brand even if you are not involved.  By being involved you have the ability to answer questions so that people don’t make wrong assumptions, plus be responsive, and help guide the conversations that are being had. 

She is looking for more data though.  Can you please help this marketer out by sharing some of your thoughts and ideas on how to make this internal sell?  I know many of you have already done so and she would love your ideas. 

I’m sure there would be many possible uses for this, though my thoughts included:

·         Calorie counting (tweeting over calories per meal)

·         Glasses of water or ounces of water consumed in a day

·         Miles ran

·         Shootings (I live in Philly J)

·         Times brushed teeth

·         Cigarettes smoked (no, I don’t smoke, just an idea for someone trying to cut back)

·         Calories burned

·         Blood sugar testing results

Essentially, anyone would be able to use this to keep track of any number and would then be able to review the trend of this number simply by tweeting the number to the app account on Twitter.

Can you make this for me?  Or if it’s already made, can you pass on the details?