If you’re one of the millions who have started, or already use Twitter, me too. I signed up a long time ago just to see what it was all about. Honestly, at the time, I didn’t get why I could or would be interested in knowing the fine-details of anybody, let alone strangers. Well, I’ve changed my tune.

Twitter Shirt from igadget.com - $20

In the past 30-days, I’ve embarked on a challenge to see how and, most importantly, why I should integrate Twitter into my everyday life. That’s an easy discussion to have in your head, but how do you explain the benefits to your employees, friends and often times, confused family members? After 30 days, here’s my top five reasons for using Twitter:

• It makes me really think about what I’m doing RIGHT NOW. Over the past year, I’ve become a student of personal productivity. Twitter requires me to consider if what I’m doing is Twitter worthy. If it’s not, I question whether it’s really worth my time.
• It gives me “presence” with friends, coworkers, family and vendors. While I won’t say that it creates or sustains these relationships, it provides opportunity to build on them. Why? I can feedback, direct message or simply be aware of what’s going on in peoples lives.
• It’s a great way to stay up-to-date with family. I’ve not been successful in converting many family members over to Twitter (yet), however, I am finding some luck by recently starting a Twitter for my 10-month old, @savannahgrace. Grandparents will do anything to stay in touch with their grandchild.
• It’s marketable. Let’s be honest, I own an marketing company that focuses on internet, new and social media. I have to know how to use it, why it works for some and if and how to make it work for my clients.
• It’s fun. I’m enjoying my new Twitter community of friends: @kristychowning, @savannahgrace, @ashbylane, @ashbychick, @michaelhyatt, @shawnrstewart. Recently joined? Follow me.

The internet is growing exponentially everyday. New social media can either be seen as a distraction or a tool. It’s up to us to consider why we use it to determine what place it will have in our lives. The key:

• Commitment and plan on how you will use each tool
• Integrate it into your life easily and then use it regularly
• Have fun with it. If it’s not fun, you won’t use it.

If you find something cool, be sure to let me know.

Perception has a way of creating value in ways that, when honestly assessed, don’t make a lot of sense:

• A latte costs $32 a gallon, on average
• A gallon of Smoothie King (Gladiator) smoothie costs $27.16/gallon (not including tax)
• A cup of regular coffee costs $16/gallon, on average
• It’s about $2/glass for soda at a restaurant, an average of $12.80/gallon
• A gallon of Aquafina water could cost you at least $13.50, on average

The above list consists of items that most American’s consume on a daily basis, without thinking twice.

Last Wednesday, the Energy Department announced that they anticipate that the cost of a gallon of gas would rise to an average of $3.60 this coming June; an increase of 82¢ a gallon since this time last year.

I am not a proponent of rising fuel costs, especially since I personally can’t figure out what’s really driving this bottom line increase. However, I would like to challenge the perception. Auto fuel, an absolutely essential tool of our world, is far less expensive than any of the aforementioned nonessentials. All of which we could do without, if and when necessary.

Marketing departments have done a fantastic job at creating a high perceived value in our minds for packaged products. It seems that Exxon, Chevron, BP and the like, could stand to do some of their own marketing to win consumers over to their undervalued product. Until then, we’ll continue to live in a culture that values a gallon of coffee more than a gallon of gas.

Marketing influences. Perception pays the bills.

I stumbled upon a list of the top 150 marketing blogs:

http://adage.com/power150/

Warning: If you’re not a Google Reader user, I highly recommend hooking yourself to this flow of RSS goodness. It’s the only way to “read” 100 websites in less than an hour.