You can’t afford not to be on Twitter.

But you already know that.  If you’re reading this blog, you’re probably already tuned into the social media scene with the volume turned up.  You already use Twitter to stay up on what’s going on right now in your industry.  You follow several blogs on a daily basis.  You might even have you’re own blog with you’re own readership.

So this post isn’t about you.

It’s about that friend of yours who keeps putting “the internet thing” off.  They’re too busy running their business or their startup to worry about keeping up with that thing called “Twitter”.  They don’t see the point of connecting with others through blogging and social media.

Your friend’s problem is not that they don’t get social media.  Their problem is that they don’t get how today’s social culture operates.  If they don’t tap in, then they’re sitting on the sidelines.

Keeping an ear to the street.  Knowing the needs of your target market.  Reaching customers instantaneously from across the globe.  Staying open for business 24/7.  Networking with others in your industry.  Benchmarking against the competition.  It all happens online.  Through Twitter.  Through Facebook pages.  Through blogging.  Through emails.  If you don’t see the social web as a major part of your business, no matter which business you’re in, then you won’t be in business for long.

It’s up to us, as web savvy citizens to throw our disconnected friends into the pool.  Don’t tell them that social media might be helpful.  Show them that it’s vital.