Like a David Letterman top-10 list this list is in reverse!  If you aren’t on twitter yet then maybe its time to make the leap.  Here are 10 reasons why YOU should be on twitter.  Anyone else have other reasons?  Leave your thoughts in the comments.

10. People are Talking about you on Twitter. Don’t believe me?  Go to twitter search and check out your name, your company name or your product name.  I bet that there are people talking about you.

9. It will make you smarter. I now get most of my news by checking out what people are linking to on twitter.  On twitter people often post links to the best or most interesting things they have read that day.  You can find great new websites, articles, products and services from people on twitter.

8. It Expands your Network. On twitter you can find people with similar interests who you probably would never be able to meet in real life.  You can connect with people all over the world who share similar interests.  I have met a number of awesome, smart people on twitter.

7. It is growing. Fast. Twitter is one of the quickest growing social media sites on the internet. A February 2009 Compete.com blog entry ranks Twitter as the third most used social network (Facebook being the largest, followed by MySpace), and in March 2009, a Nielsen.com blog ranked Twitter as the fastest growing site in the Member Communities category for February 2009.

6. You can meet smart Cincinnati Marketing Folks. Connect with other Cincinnati Marketers – I would recommend following @cincinnatiama,  @kristaneher (me, of course) @prblog (Kevin Dugan) @blecount (Brian Lecount), @mktgwithmeaning (Bob Gilbreath), @daveknox (Dave Knox), @pblackshaw (Pete Blackshaw)… there are many, many more… look around and make new friends

5. Keep up with the Buzz on the Street.  You can stay up to speed (and often get news faster) on twitter vs. from traditional news sources.  People were tweeting about the earthquake in Cincinnati far before the news started covering it.  You can also follow events that you can’t attend by following people on twitter who are there.

4. To Stalk Celebrities. Ok, this sounds weird.  But seriously.  On twitter you can see Oprah making plans to meet up with Hugh Jackman, you can find out what night clubs Britney Spears is going to and you can get inside Richard Bransons Mind. There is even a site called celebrity tweet that is specifically designed to help you stalk celebrities (I wouldn’t make this up).  You can stay up to date with some really fascinating people.

3. It will impress your boss. Just BEING on twitter won’t but generating value from twitter will.  First, if you are a marketing professional you need to understand social media.  It is how content travels online.  You can’t afford to ignore it.  Second, twitter can be a great resource.  I received great recommendations from twitter for finding vendors, getting t-shirts made and even a software solution.  Twitter people are generous and helpful with their advice.

2. You can get stuff done faster and easier. Seriously.  I know you don’t believe me but it is true.  A lot of companies are on twitter, and monitor twitter for conversations about their brand.  Since twitter is public they tend to respond quicker than email or phone.  A friend of mine had emailed Ning and didn’t hear back for a few days.  He tweeted at them and got an immediate response.  JetBlue will help you get your flight re-routed and tell you about delays.  Twitter is actually efficient at these things.

And the MOST important reason to get on twitter….

1. Everyone is Doing it. This is the reason to do anything really (and yes, I would jump off a cliff with everyone else).  Oprah just joined twitter.  It is now officially mainstream, so you should join.  In addition to celebrities like Oprah, Ashton Kutcher and MC Hammer, chances are that your clients and customers are on twitter.

Why do you think people should join twitter?  Share your thoughts

- Krista Neher

Krista Neher is an international speaker on social media and digital marketing and is CEO of Marketess Consulting.  Check out her marketing blog and marketing training courses.