I’m going back and forth about the concept of advertising on Twitter posts. From an entrepreneurial standpoint, it’s a good advertising vehicle and a good way to make some extra money. But there is a bit of apprehension because you wonder if you’re selling your relatives, friends and business associates short. Will they continue to follow your tweets if they know you’re making money from your posts? It’s something to consider as we explore REVTWT.com (formerly TWTAD.com) and TWITTAD.com, the two major providers of Twitter advertising programs.

While Twitter itself doesn’t offer a formal advertising program, there are two social media networks that are built off Twitter’s open API. Both advertising programs provide opportunities to profit from tweets and each offers entrepreneurs a cost-effective means of advertising on one of the most popular Internet and mobile phone applications.

REVTWT.com bills itself as the “largest social conversation ad network.” It has two components. The first are advertising links added to the end of a post. Tweeters register their Twitter account to receive advertising links. Each time someone clicks on the link, the poster earns money.

The second component is directed towards businesses. You can post an ad at a cost of five cents per click. To date, Revtwt.com has over 3 million Twitter users, providing an attractive advertising platform at a pay per view method.

TWITTAD.com promotes itself as a social media affinity network. Its approach differs greatly from Revtwt.com. With Twittad.com, the ad program is more focused in pairing advertisers with Twitter users. Rather than assigning ad links to Twitter users, Twittad.com enables advertisers to pick and choose which Twitter accounts to purchase for advertising. However, Twitter users can set their own price and are given the option to decline the advertiser’s purchase.

A new addition to Twittad.com is its Opt-In to Advertiser Campaign. It’s a searchable component where entrepreneurs with a Twitter profile can peruse advertisers’ campaigns and get paid to advertise something that interests them or complements their business. Think of it as Twitter networking!

A number of entrepreneurs are already realizing success with advertising programs on Twitter. The types of business promotions that have used Twitter accounts include the launch of an Internet business podcast, new features to a website, the unveiling of an online contest and program startups.

Advertising programs using Twitter accounts offer a number of benefits. They target the demographic you are seeking and bring your message to followers who are already engaged in the type of product or service you are offering. This type of targeted marketing for the reasonable price can certainly prove effective for many businesses.

Advertising in the digital social age is very much different from traditional advertising. Like the technology itself, ad results are instant and target driven. What will be interesting to see is how businesses will use Twitter advertising programs in conjunction with traditional forms of marketing and advertising.

We’re interested in hearing your thoughts. Leave us your comments about this ‘new age’ advertising concept.

Adam Toren