Twitter launches '101' introduction course for marketers

Twitter 101, under a new business subdomain on the main website, proposes to demonstrate how customers and corporations alike are getting value out of the microblogging website.

The guide has been prepared in six sections with names such as "What is Twitter?" and "Learn the Lingo".

A wide range of case studies are available from brands which have successfully integrated Twitter into their marketing.

This include the likes of JetBlue, Teusner Wines, Tasti D Lite, NakedPizza, Pepsi, American Apparel and Dell -- which has over 80 branded Twitter accounts and is reported to have generated several millions in sales via the service.

The launch comes after a study from Harris Interactive found that 55% of marketers are unaware of the website, or find that it serves no purpose to their companies.

Twitter is bent on ramping up its appeal to the business class.

Twitter 101, on the website, wrote:  "The conversational nature of the medium lets you build relationships with customers, partners and other people important to your business.

"Beyond transactions, Twitter gives your constituents direct access to employees and a way to contribute to your company -- as marketers say, it shrinks the emotional distance between your company and your customers.

"Plus, the platform lends itself to integration with your existing communication channels and strategies. In combination, those factors can make Twitter a critical piece of your company's bigger digital footprint."

The new business.twitter.com subdomain indicates the company plans on hosting individual business accounts on a separate service, potentially paving a path towards monetisation, although Twitter has said it does not plan to charge either businesses or customers for access.

Twitter has also unveiled a new search widget, which could be beneficial to brands just starting out the service.

The Twitter-endorsed widget displays a real-time stream of any keywords of the users choosing, which can be embedded on to websites and blogs.

Read more on Brand Republic

• Gordon's Republic Blog: Twitter and the small business revolution
• Who's making money out of Twitter?
• Marketers think Twitter is a great idea, why doesn't the public think so?