According to a MarketingProfs survey, Twitter ranks second to “corporate” blogs as the social media tool that delivers the most company value – ahead of LinkedIn and Facebook.  And 83% of respondents stated that their company’s use of Twitter will increase in the next six months.

There are six ways that Twitter (according to MarketingProfs) helps companies strengthen their marketing and efficiently reach their objectives by getting closer to customers. However, I’ve added a seventh, and supported all of them with examples:

1. Building Community—creating a strong community of followers that ultimately help drive business objectives and bring in new customers (DunkinDonuts, Rubbermaid)
2. Customer Service—using Twitter to successfully engage with customers needing help (@JetBlue, @ComcastCares)
3. Selling—driving online and offline sales by using Twitter to post promotions, discounts and offers (Burton, @DellOutlet)
4. Prospecting—creating demand and pinpointing potential customers needing the type of solution your product offers (Gartner, Forrester)
5. Branding & Awareness—employing Twitter in creative ways to increase awareness around a product, or business (ScottMonty – Ford’s official Tweeter, GE,  AT&T)
6. Fundraising—using Twitter to spread the word about important causes (Amnesty, NWF)
7.  Research—asking for people’s opinions, or searching via twitter tools, to help companies evaluate new ideas (zappos)

Are there other objectives that you think should be added to this list? Do you have other company successes to share?

Related Posts:

• Insight for health brand marketers – engage your influencers and decision-makers through social media
• Insights for pharma/health brand marketers: e-Patient Connections Conference
• Example for health brand marketers of how Twitter changes a company
• The one question health brand marketers should be asking (can be listening for) from customers