I’ll break this post down into three sections: What I’ve learned about individual Twitter use, What I’ve learned about using Twitter for small business, and what I’ve learned about using Twitter for larger corporations and well known brands.

What I’ve learned About Individual Twitter Use :

I started using Twitter because I heard about it from countless blogs and press outlets. By no means was I the first person to use Twitter. Unlike many Twitter users I was only mildly interested in the celebrity stalking aspect. I’ll admit, my initial Twitter use was driven by selfish motives. I wanted to keep tabs on the online marketing industry, so I could have a chance at getting a job out of college in a terrible recession.

While this wish did come true (Thanks), the power of Twitter lay in the accessibility and transparency of industry “thought leaders” . Sitting on Twitter was like sitting in a room of intelligent conversations that I would have never been privy to otherwise. I was/am like a sponge, listening and reading all of the articles and blogs these thought leaders shared, until I felt confident enough in my own intellect to add the conversation.

From there, it’s been a story of constant learning, engagement, and even the forming of real life friendships and offline networking.

A couple of thought leaders who have really influenced me (among many):

Sarah Evans

Lauren Fernandez

Ian Schafer

David Armano

As an individual, Twitter gives you the power to identify the smartest and most influential people in the arenas you care about, engage with them, and then craft your own personal voice.

By no means is this an attack on anyone who uses Twitter to stay abreast of the latest celebrity scandal or sports score. Those are viable uses for Twitter as well.

Personally, I feel that your Twitter stream is a reflection of your personal goals, and perhaps more accurately, the value you place on the role of social media in the future.

What I’ve Learned About Using Twitter For Small Businesses:

Contests, giveaways and special promotions are the best ways to “generate buzz”. Twitter is also especially effective for customer service, and creating an accessible and transparent image. When it comes to brands on Twitter, 44% of people follow a brand for exclusive deals and promotions.

Listen to your customers (if they are talking about you on Twitter already), offer deals and promotions, and target publications, blogs, and individuals to get your deals, promotions, or special offers some traction.

Some small businesses who have done great things with Twitter:

Foiled Cupcakes, Green City Market, Free Spirit Yacht Cruises

What I’ve Learned About Using Twitter for Well Known Brands/ Individuals:

People are already talking about your product or activities on Twitter. If you’re feeling ambitious you can respond to every comment, but you may want to pick and choose your responses based on the Twitter influence. Tools like Klout and Listorous are great for identifying influence.

Thus, for very visible and talked about brands and individuals Twitter is really best utilized, first and foremost, as a PR and customer service tool.

While there are thousands of celebrities and huge brands on Twitter, here are some of my favorites:

Azziz Ansari, Southwest Air, Jim Gaffigan, ESPN , OchoCinco

This is a very basic run down about what I’ve learned about Twitter in the little over a year that I’ve been using it. I can’t wait to learn more in the coming year.

Have you learned some of the same lessons? Looking forward to hearing about it. Do you disagree with any of my generalizations?