Paul Dunay’s list of brands that tweet is long but not misses some critical Tweeters.

Image by luc legay via Flickr

The Best Buy account (http://www.twitter.com/bestbuy) should actual point to http://twitter.com/BestBuyRemix.  And they aren’t just posting about new locations, responding to customer feedback (positive or negative), or even promoting a sale.  They have provided a mashup with their product lookup API.  Initially the Twitter community can utilize but why not send the same query to an SMS short code?  The response can have a link to open a mobile web browser, a Best Buy phone application, or respond with a limited time discount code.  They offer CPA payouts through their affiliate program on purchases but someone has to click.  Wonder how many folks are purchasing.

Another retailer using Twitter is Dell.  They have more then one.  They have been quoted saying:

Dell (NASDAQ: DELL) says Twitter has produced $1 million in revenue over the past year and a half through sale alerts.

I’m sure there will be more retailers doing the same.  Question becomes if Twitter starts charging for corporate accounts or maybe does an affiliate model with retailers.  Think about that:  1% of $1 million is $10,000 coming from 3,381 followers (as of 1/5/09).  No it does not pay for much but that is one retailer with less then 1% of their email subscriber base.  SMS deliver of the sales alerts could carry a different price structure.  And what if you could track off-line transactions (click-to-call or Revtrax type of solution)?  Could off-line transaction tracking be beneficial for BestBuyRemix?  I’m waiting for the Social Media Service Providers (SMSP) to emerge just like Email Service Providers (ESP’s are Datran Media, Exact Target, Responsys, etc.).  Datran already offers a Facebook communications solution.  If a SMSP can also support off-line metrics, they would be in an excellent position.  One is getting started down in Austin with some heavy weight behind it.

What are the Twitter business models for commercial entities?  Let’s ask Kevin Thau the new partnership manager but they are still looking for a product manager to help develop commercial (aka making money) products.

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