Here’s clear evidence that if you’re not using Twitter to boost your sales efforts yet, now’s the time to start.

Nearly 20% of Internet users now tweet, according to statistics from the Pew Internet Project. That’s an 8% jump from late 2008.

The study also revealed the following:

• Twitter’s 18-24 demographic almost doubled in size over the past two years (from 19% of all Internet users to a remarkable 37%).
• Users between 34-44 jumped 10%, another significant jump in that it includes a high percentage of b2b and b2c prospects.
• Most users primarily visit the site to post status updates or stay on top of what’s happening with favorite celebrities, websites and companies.
• People that use other social networking sites like Facebook and MySpace are far more likely to post regularly on Twitter, rather than simply following others on the site.
• The smallest pool of Twitter users continues to be prospects age 45-65. Still, that demographic grew by 10% during the past 15 months.

Source: “19 Percent of U.S. Internet Users Tweet,” Sales and Marketing Management Magazine, 7/31/10.

Tags: B2B, B2C, Facebook, MySpace, study, Twitter