Twitter's Rapid Adoption by Small Business

(MoneyWatch)  Over eighty percent of Twitter users (most of whom work in small businesses) polled in a recent study by MarketingProfs, say they expect their company's use of the social media service to increase over the next six months.

A widelarge majority, roughly two-thirds, of respondents said that Twitter is either "somewhat" or "extremely important" to their company's current operations, compared to only 29 percent who say it is "not very important."

Twitter was ranked in the survey as second only to company blogs as a valuable social-media tool.

"This data shows that Twitter users, typically early adopters, no longer think of Twitter as just a personal networking tool, but as something that can provide real value for their company or business," said Ann Handley, chief content officer for MarketingProfs. "Much like Facebook, Twitter is now moving into the business mainstream."

You can read more about the research here.

This is mainly anecdotal, but I am increasingly seeing journalists and editors finding work as Social Media Editors for small businesses in -- or closely related to -- the media industry these days. While traditional media jobs are drying up, there is a growing market for those who are adept at using social media networks like Twitter by writing concise, lively headlines, blogging, and helping market new company products.

As the research cited above demonstrates, this is most likely a growth area for media execs.

(I learned about this study by following @Smub on Twitter.)