I have seen increased traffic through the use of twitter. I use it for socializing with others that have similar interests and for promoting my blogs, by posting a tweet when I finish posting a blog. It is working. I'm up to about 3000 views for ALlbusiness and almost 1000 for my marathon blog. This is quite an increase since I began tweeting just last month.

I also visit links posted to support other blog writers. Plus I get great ideas by reading the tweets! 

Kathy

Allbusiness:Working Mothers

Mama Marathoner

I was an early Twitterer (Tweeter?), and only recently I've used it as a way to promote my blog. I set up my Friendfeed account so my updates go directly to Twitter. I'm not sure how I feel about that, however. I've always thought self-promotion was a little tacky, especially for a personal blogger that doesn't see a dime from her blog. Any gain in traffic is purely for vanity. I don't spend any more or less time blogging than I ever have, though I take the time to write a "proper" post a few times a week anyway.

Available Light & Five Dollar Radio

I think Twitter has been a terrific tool for us. During fashion week when I couldn't get to my computer to properly blog between shows, I was able to tweet about each of them as much as I wanted and we kept a widget as the top post on the site updating with my tweets. We did the same kind of thing to "liveblog" or "livetweet" the Oscars.

 I also use Twitterfeed to automatically updating my Twitter every time a post publishes on my blog, linking to it, bringing in a good amount of traffic I would think!

 Follow me @ShinyAndrea!

I don't see Twitter as either a breaker or a builder of blogs.  Blogs existed before Twitter and still exist aside from Twitter quite nicely.  Twitter can certainly be used as an enhancer, to drive traffic to your blog, gain new readers/followers, but the blog will be just fine without Twitter.  

The value of Twitter, for me, is truly social, and it's mobile.  I can send and receive tweets using my phone.  I can feel like I'm in constant touch during the day with friends and family for whom I've chosen the SMS option.  You could say that plain old SMS sans the Twitter could do the same, but it would be far less efficient.

Yes, there are those who are trying to use Twitter for a marketing tool, with varying degrees of success.  I think that they will be more successful once Twitter has truly gone mainstream to the masses.  The original population of Twitter - the "Twitterati" if you will - turns up their collective noses at its use for purely business purposes.  If they wanted to be subjected to a constant barrage of commercials, they'd be watching network television instead of tweeting.  The Twitterati prefer it to be all about the relationships.  I think the masses will be a bit more forgiving.

Tink *~*~*

My Mobile Adventures *~*~*

I just started on Twitter. I have to say, I don't get it at all. All I ever read are food tweets. People sure do love to talk about what they are eating. Seriously, I know the dietary habits of half the blog-o-sphere. Definitely not a substitute for blogging, for me. But, it kills the time now and then. And, gives me ideas for what to make for supper.

Kelly (conversemomma)

http://www.ordinaryartblog.com

Twitter gives you more chances to get feedback. Tweets can trigger topics for new posts. A 140-character message does not replace the post. You cannot develop the idea. Twitter is an amazing tool for building relationships. On the other end, I often get more reactions to my post on Twitter and Facebook than on my blog. Twitter is also a powerful promotional tool for your blog and your personal brand if you use it wisely.

For me, Twitter has enhanced my blogging experience. The danger with twitter is that it’s easy to pass too much time on it. The same is also true for Facebook.

Follow me @kimvallee

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My guide to fun, stylish and easy entertaining at http://kimvallee.com
Women and social media on http://onthe web.kimvallee.com

I think Twitter can be a great tool for bloggers if you're following the right people and organizations.  I find that it's not too hard to keep the 'what's for lunch' people to a minimum.

~Jezebel

The Evil Slut Clique
(twitter.com/EvilSlutClique)

EvilSlutopia

I think Twitter is just its own thing.  There's really no describing or pigeon-holing it.  It can drive traffic, and it can take it away.  You can build a business or irritate everyone and ruin a business.  What it's not good for is my parenting.  Like when my 4-year-old asks me to please stop with the computer, but I just want to write one more tweet.

In any case, whatever Twitter is I am completely hooked. :)

~ Amber

www.strocel.com