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In an article released today, Brian Womack of Bloomberg.com reports that Twitter is exploring revenue models that include charging businesses to use Twitter, rather than seek additional venture capital funding. The company has already raised $22 million in funds, but with the current state of the economy, Twitter CEO Evan Williams says, “the VCs have the money, but they’ll just negotiate harder” wanting a larger return on investment.

According to the article, Williams said that Twitter may charge businesses to reach users. This may include opt-in coupon promotions, market research and display advertising. “I want to manage things so I don’t have to raise money in 2009,” Williams said.

The article also states that “global visitors to Twitter rose almost fivefold to 5.57 million in September from a year earlier.”

by Adele McAlear. Originally posted at Marketing Monster

Crowdsourcing is one of the best uses of Twitter. Sure, it’s easy enough to poll people with questions or to ask for information, directions and recommendatons, but it’s another thing entirely when you’re in a pickle and need someone local to physically come to your aid.

Last night at about 10:30 pm, as I watched the Tweets fly by, I caught this from Guy Kawasaki (@guykawasaki), famed Apple evangelist, venture capitalist, entrepreneur, speaker and author:

A few of us re-tweeted his request, not that he’d need much help with 20,500+ followers, but you never know if people may have missed it the first time around.

Sure enough, within 8 minutes, the offer of help came in from Jerry Jones (@jetskier79):

Confirmations were made and, voila! Within an hour Guy had a magsafe power supply for a Macbook in hand. And what did Jerry get besides some good karma, Guy’s thanks and a few new followers? His good deed was rewarded with a signed first copy of Reality Check, Guy’s new book, set for release on October 30th.

As for Guy’s test, he wrote about his best Twitter story ever and documented the exchange with a smile and a photo.

How has Twitter come to your rescue? Let me know.