One of the more interesting conversations that Mark “Rizzn” Hopkins, Sean P. Aune and myself had on this evening’s Cynical Bastards podcast, CobWEBs, was over the whole idea of sponsored Tweets in one’s Twitterstream. We were discussing the two main contenders in the space – those being Magpie and Sponsored Tweets from IZEA.
Now I will say that for the longest time I have been against the idea of monetizing a Twitterstream but as a result of our conversation tonight I am re-thinking my feelings on the matter. Through out the conversation the three of us had I started thinking that quite possibly since Twitter has become far more persuasive the connection that we might have had at one time with those that follow us becomes less over time. As well we have stats that show the actually number of people producing content on Twitter is far, far less than the number of people on the service.
Those that are producing content are in fact providing a added value service since it would seem that the majority of Twitter members are quite happy to lurk and click on links. So as with with most content producers the idea of being able to add to a revenue stream, as long as it is done responsibly, from one’s Twitterstream doesn’t seem to be all that bad.
The other thing to consider is that if someone like Chris Brogan is willing to become involved with IZEA or the fact that Stowe Boyd thinks Sponsored Tweets from IZEA looks reputable then why shouldn’t serious Twitter users consider using these services.
Just as blogging on a whole has survived the demons of monetization so to it seems that Twitter can survive, and maybe even prosper, with it’s own forms of monetization.
A big thumbs up 
When it comes to advertising on the web we complain bitterly and use any tools we can to make sure that we don’t see them. Whether they be text, image or video we decry the pointlessness of advertising. The thing is when it comes to video ads that can be done right, done so that we might actually click that play button.
