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Testing out Twitter

I've already fulfilled one of my New Year's resolutions (no, not the one about exercising more) -- I've become a Tweeter (did I say that right?).

I've already fulfilled one of my New Year's resolutions (no, not the one about exercising more) -- I've become a Tweeter (did I say that right?).That is, you can find and follow me on Twitter at KathyBurger. I'm curious to learn about how this hot Web 2.0 application might be able to help me spread the word about new Insurance & Technology initiatives, identify potential sources or event attendees, and bring professionals to our Web site. Then again, it could turn out to be a huge distraction -- I'm keeping an open mind, but also still need to be persuaded about meaningful business applications for Twitter.

I did a search on Twitter for "insurance" or "insurance companies" and found mostly individual complaints and concerns about their individual experiences with the industry. I didn't come across any insurance companies with a presence, although there was a "tweet" from ISO about an upcoming presentation. Does this reflect an astute avoidance of probably messy confrontations, or is it unimaginative oversight of a potentially effective way to interact with customers and distributors? I don't know -- I'm too busy to answer that question because I'm now obsessed with searching Twitter for people to follow.

I'll keep you posted on I&T's ongoing efforts to leverage this amazing technology. In the meantime, what do you think about the business potential for Twitter and other social media applications in insurance? Let me know what you are (or aren't doing) -- I'll meet you in cyberspace.

Katherine Burger is Editorial Director of Bank Systems & Technology and Insurance & Technology, members of UBM TechWeb's InformationWeek Financial Services. She assumed leadership of Bank Systems & Technology in 2003 and of Insurance & Technology in 1991. In addition to ... View Full Bio

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