60% Twitter users dropping out within a month

Recent studies are indicating that although Twitter is growing by leaps and bounds, the readership may not be what we think.

However, a Nielsen report estimates that over 60% of Twitter users quit after their first month. Twitter’s 40% retention rate is higher than it was a month ago. (Pre-Oprah retention averaged below 30%.) But social networking giants MySpace and Facebook manage a much higher retention percentage (60%) of new users each month. – source: http://www.marketingcharts.com/interactive/6-in-10-twitter-users-jump-ship-each-month-8928/?utm_campaign=newsletter&utm_source=mc&utm_medium=textlink

As a Internet marketer, I’m wondering … how come? All us Internet marketing experts have jumped on the band-waggon and stated (and most of the time have proved) that Twitter does work with:

1. reaching your target market;

2. providing quality information in which you seek;

3. grow your business (and social) network — or some call it “your tribe”

4. building your brand

5. promoting events (I’ve filled a room full of Six Sigma professionals for the User Group exclusively using a combination of social media)

So why are 60% of users opening an account and not following or contributing to the dialog such as they do with Facebook?

Maybe they think its the fad of the week? Perhaps it’s useless noise they’ve encoutered or “information overload.” Perhaps we need a different technology or tool that allows you to communicate more effectively within your interests. I for one like to provide useful information to others — but must admit I enjoy tweeting about where I went to lunch and how I feel about the weather today. It’s fun and I want my friends to know how I feel and how I’m doing.

Utlimately, I believe Twitter can be different communications vehicles for different people.

Have you signed on to Twitter and then abandoned it? Please share why…. marketing minds need to know….