Interesting post on techcrunch about how Dell is offering exclusive discounts to its Twitter followers.
Dell has found a way to use Twitter to generate sales. In December InternetNews reported that Dell has produced $1 million in revenue over the past year and a half through sale alerts via Twitter. People who sign up to follow Dell on Twitter receive messages when discounted products are available the company’s Home Outlet Store. They can click over to purchase the product or forward the information to others.
Dell has now taken its Twitter campaign to a new level but offering discounts exclusively to the 11,844 people who follow @DellOutlet . For instance, here is a Tweet with a link to save 20% on Outlet Latitude™ XT tablet PC. When you click on the link, it takes you to this product page on Dell.com.
The new marketing program was, launched on Monday and of course was announced on Twitter, as well as on this Direct2Dell blog post
Beginning today, Dell will offer deals from the Dell Outlet exclusive to Twitter in the U.S. With over 11,000 followers, our team wanted to show their thanks to the Twitter world through these new deals which will continue each week.
@DellOutlet now has over 15,000 followers who are receiving these marketing messages from Dell. So while Twitter is trying to figure out how to make money from its service, it is interesting to see that Dell recognizes that Twitter is a marketing channel, and more importantly, it is a channel that can increase revenues.
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OMG. A million in revenue from tweets! Wonder if they got the idea from @woot?
Thats awesome to see Dell getting out there with Twitter. Check out http://community.spiceworks.com/group/show/28
Spiceworks is the first Social Business Application for SMB IT Pros. Dell has a huge presence on this site.
This feels like one of those stories that gets picked up and spread around, but w/o anyone really asking any questions about it.
If I’m planning on buying a Dell and I know Dell gives discount to Twitter users I’ll wait until the deal I want comes up on Twitter. However, that isn’t increasing Dell’s sales, it’s actually costing them money b/c their Twitter followers know there’s a better deal coming if they just wait.
I’m sure there are some people who wouldn’t have bought a Dell who might b/c of a Tweet, but that number is far below what Dell is admitting.
I’m curious to know how much of that $1 million in sales was canibalized from other sales channels.
That’s a great question Rich and I don’t think that we will ever know. But I do think that it points out that Twitter can be another marketing channel for companies much like search, social media and display advertising is.
That’s a great idea!I think Dell will increase sales with the new promotion.
Twitter as a Digital Marketing Channel: Since they started to use Twitter in 2007, Dell has earned more than $2 .. http://tinyurl.com/mmmenr