Dell Offers Discounts To Twitter Followers

In its relentless search for sales, computer maker Dell is targeting Twitter members with deals.

On Tuesday only, Dell offered the almost 12,000 people who follow @DellOutlet on Twitter 30% off on an XPS M1210 laptop. Clicking the Twitter exclusive link took people to a page where they could find a coupon code to get the discount when ordering online. The offer was only available in the United States.

Dell apparently is taking the success it had with Twitter over the holiday season a step further by offering the discounts. The computer maker reportedly made $1 million by alerting Twitter followers about products on sale.

On a Direct2Dell blog post, a Dell spokesman said the company would offer Twitter followers a new deal each week. The company says it has more than 80 Twitter properties, including Dell Outlet-focused ones in the United Kingdom and Ireland, as well as the United States.

Dell's use of social networking marks a new approach to reach potential customers within social networks. While $1 million in sales is not huge for a multibillion-dollar company like Dell, it's a start and gives the company a foothold on a new sales channel that has the potential for growth.

And Dell needs more sales. The company in its latest quarterly statement reported a 3.1% drop in revenue as demand for servers and PCs slowed across the globe because of the economic downturn.