If you don’t know twit from tweet about the popular social networking tool dubbed Twitter, then count yourself in the majority.

And then get busy learning how to use this nifty gizmo to drive your sales.

Twitter is a Web-based application enjoyed mostly by mobile phone users who use it to send short (140 characters) messages to friends, family and customers-known in Twitter language as “followers.”

Followers share information about themselves or, more importantly, about their businesses, such as, “Tony’s Pizza’s got a new Stromboli pizza. Show this code-76543-and get a free slice from Tony Amorone!”

Sound too simple to be truly effective? A growing flock of restauranteurs say no. The Loft at Soby’s in South Carolina “tweets” its lunch and dinner specials daily. In Iowa, Panchero’s Mexican Grill tweets “meet the marketing manager” messages inviting customers to different stores for lunchtime prizes.

Oh, and Twitter itself is a free service.

Twitter is convenient

Most customers view junk mail as a hassle, so getting your message across conveniently and quickly is what they want. Twitter’s ability to do that makes it a marketing natural.

Operators say most successful promotions are “tweeted” right before mealtimes, when customers are hungry, and when they provide an incentive to buy, such as an online coupon.

With ONOSYS’ newly released version 3 (V3) of its online ordering platform, you not only can track Twitter coupon redemption, but all other coupon offers.

Better yet, the system automatically calculates your net sales increase as a result of redemption rates and tracks usage limits for each customer. Combine that power with ONOSYS’ new mobile phone application and your sales are bound to fly.