Gartner added micro-blogging to its list of technologies that will transform business over the next two to five years, predicting that by 2011, business micro-blogging will be a standard feature of 80% of social software platforms. However, standard micro-blogging platforms, such as Twitter, don’t make sense for technology and healthcare companies selling into niche markets.
Media Brains has launched “Business Chatter” which targets their niche directories such as electronic engineering, plastics, and manufacturing. You get one free post a month. However, for unlimited posts you have to pay $995 for a 12-month profile listing. So far, I don’t see conversations happening on this platform, just blatant self-promotion. I think these platforms will have a tough time competing with niche discussion forms.
What do you think? Please post a comment if you know if any micro-blogging platforms that are effective for niche B2B marketing.