Hardly a day goes by that I don't hear about a new Twitter app, web tool or other utility created to make the use of Twitter easier or more interesting.
It's pretty hard to keep up with them. And it's pretty rare that I endorse a tool or app.
Just as I wait to see new sites pick up steam before jumping on board, I usually don't start using new tools until they demonstrate widespread adoption.
I am straying from my usual modus operandi because what I'm going to share with you intersects with using Twitter as a marketing tool, and for generating money with it.
I am not a fan of automated follower tools.
I AM a fan of using Twitter in an authentic way, seeking to add value to the community while enjoying the benefits of doing so.
That brings me to a new Twitter desktop application called TweetGlide.
Designed in a similar fashion to the popular TweetDeck, TweetGlide is designed to make tweeting from your desktop (mac or pc) easier. If you've used TweetDeck, you'll notice TweetGlide sports a similar multi-column presentation.
However, TweetGlide adds some new features that will appeal to Twitter users wanting a little bit more.
The ubiquitous columns are now called "glides", and glides are very customizable.
The first thing you'll notice is a glide called "sponsored tweets." These are tweets that display only within the app. You earn the right to have your sponsored tweets display based on a traffic exchange model.
Every time you tweet using TweetGlide, you earn .2 ad credits. TweetGlide has anti-spam tools in place so you can only earn 1 credit every 3 hours. When you earn a credit you can use it to display an ad in the sponsored tweets glide. I like that you can completely close this glide if you want, though doing so will turn off your ability to earn credits.
TweetGlide also has a feature that will appeal to Internet and affiliate marketers, a downline matrix.
When you sign up for tweetglide, you automatically receive your own url. Mine is http://tweetglide.com/joelcomm.
By sharing this url with others, you can build a downline to five levels deep. Of course, you will earn ad credits when those in your downline tweet using Tweetglide as well.
I'm not a huge fan of multi-level marketing, but since basic usage of Tweetglide is free it's pretty easy to encourage others to take advantage of the tool as well. What I don't like is when companies make you purchase an inventory of product or set minimum levels of sales in order to get compensated. Tweetglide has no such requirements.
You may purchase advertising credits if you wish, but that's no different than buying ads on any web site. It's a straightforward model that allows you to reach TweetGlide users with your message faster. You can also transfer credits to other accounts or even sell your credits.
TweetGlide does offer an upsell to users once they sign up. For those who upgrade to the Premium version of TweetGlide after following your affiliate link, you earn approximately $48.50 per upgrade. It's a nice perk for referring more users to the service.
From a functionality standpoint, you can use TweetGlide to follow or block users, track clicks on all your embedded urls, connect to your Facebook account, select from several short url services, and manage multiple Twitter accounts, among others.
Something else that TweetGlide does that caught my attention is to provide you with your own TweetGlide "blog". I tested with a 140+ character tweet and it did create a short url that sends people to a web page. See Joel's Tweetglide blog.
From my discussions with the creator of the software, I believe the coolest functionality is yet to come.
Imagine being able to create custom glides that users can choose to include if they wish. I compare it to Facebook apps which you can install to enhance the Facebook experience. Now take that concept and apply it to TweetGlide. There is no limit to the functionality that can be added to the application when the development community steps in. Utilities, games, applications... you name it.
Will TweetGlide take off?
I think it has the components of a successful app.
From a functionality standpoint, it improves on TweetDeck.
From a marketing standpoint, it creates a traffic exchange and affiliate marketing system not seen before in Twitter apps.
Like most software, TweetGlide still has some kinks to work out as of this writing.
Only time will tell if TweetGlide can build critical mass. However, with nothing to lose, I will be using the tool and continuing to test its features.
You can download TweetGlide using my link --> Click here.
Note: The creator of TweetGlide has included my short url service, TwitPWR.com, as one of the preferred TweetGlide url shorteners. The resources page also has a recommendation for my book, Twitter Power.
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October 28, 2009 10:56 AM
Great post I agree with you about the benefits of tweetglide!
Elly
October 28, 2009 11:35 PM
I just started using tweetglide yesterday and I love it...
It's better than tweetdeck because tweetdeck's API blocked me after a week because I was too active or soemthing....
Thankfully tweetglide hasn't blocked me! (yet at least! lol)
Take care Joel,
David
November 8, 2009 06:46 PM
I just began with TweetGlide yesterday. It is so nice to have everything laid out in front of me in such a neat and orderly way.
It has a beautiful screen and it is so customizable too.
Good post Joel.
John Olson
Colorado Springs, CO
November 12, 2009 12:13 AM
Have to say I was a little disappointed. Maybe because I could never get it to work properly. It kept minimising itself to the background.
The other problem is that I can't use it with more than one account yet, and as I manage quite a few for myself and for other businesses I need the functionality that tweetdeck is still the leader in. Hoping Tweetglide improves and adds that multi-account and then I will try it again as the tweetglide group function is a tad ropey!
Kind of a pity as it would be a good fit with my niche marketing website.
However seeing as you endorse it I will download it again and see if it is working better. I will ensure I use your link! Enjoy the ad credits! :)