Some companies are using Twitter as a marketing or public relations channel, much like an extension to their corporate blogs. They will post about corporate accomplishments and distribute links that take people back to corporate web pages, press releases, and other promotional sites.

This method probably seems to be the easiest way to get started, but companies need to be aware that using Twitter like this could actually hinder their image in the Twitter community. A whole bunch of self-serving, self-promotional tweets can actually damage their reputation - Twitter folks like a personal touch.

It is also warned that responding to comments can be risky when going this route, but, while that's true to a point, when done correctly, responding on Twitter can be of great benefit to the company. To see some examples of brands that "get" how to tweet and respond, check out what Ford does, or Starbucks, or Dell.

We have gone through months of testing various marketing strategies with Twitter and have compiled a set regiment on the most effect ways to network using Twitter. We encourage you to ask us about the most effective ways you can use Twitter as an effective marketing tool.