Nowadays, you can probably throw a rock out of your window and hit someone who knows at least that it exists; maybe your target is even using it. (But please, don't throw rocks out of your window.)

Previously, I provided a practical way for retailers to use Twitter as a means to broadcast a text-message to customers. Another thing you can do with Twitter is tracking messages posted on the service by a specific group of people or on a specific topic.

This is a simple how-to:

1. First. Relax and clear your mind of what you think Twitter is.


2. While in your relaxed, open-state-of-mind, think of Twitter solely as a way you can broadcast text message alerts to customers when you have a sale.


3. Set up a Twitter account with a name that's modeled on other companies that I'm borrowing this idea from, say: DellOutlet, the Twitter account Dell uses to do what I'm suggesting


4. Promote to your customers that you now offer special "text-message sales alerts" they can only get by signing up for the alerts at that Twitter account web address.


5. About once a week, post an incredible (and I mean something they'll brag to their friends about) savings on some item