Twitter is rapidly becoming a standard part of the IR communications arsenal, but some are skeptical.

In a recent newsletter from IR Global Ratings, Twitter was suggested as not only a legitimate but a necessary communications tool. The writer highlighted main of using Twitter: it can be updated in real time and viewed remotely, by wireless connections or mobile phones, perfect for the IR communications ideals of timeliness and accessibility They go on to mention Twitter’s ability to reach a wider part of the public than conventional disclosure instruments and it’s exponential growth the past months, now potentially reaching more than 5 million users worldwide.

Others are less enthusiastic about Twitter’s potential role as a reliable tool in the future of investor relations, Scott Chaikin, Chairman and CEO of Dix and Eaton recently said in a twitterview with the Examiner.com that he feels “…it’s a good tool to draw attention to but not for disclosures. The format’s too abridged to be practical for one thing. User base not representative enough, and too wild-west-ish (how do I know it’s really from and vetted by GE, IBM, etc?)”.

They both make valid points; Twitter if a fast and easy way for a targeted audience to get your updates in real time, but there’s not enough accountability to trust it with disclosure and as a stand-alone communications tool. I suggest taking advantage while avoiding the pitfalls by using twitter to hyperlink to your more traditional online communications tools. That way, users can be directed to your press releases, or straight to your annual report for that matter, via their laptops or even straight on their mobile phones, while you keep the integrity of the source and avoid the whole wild-west scenario.

Whether or not Twitter will revolutionize the world of investor relations remains to be seen, but if they manage to make it a more reliable tool, it feels like a safe bet that Twitter has a future as more than a tool for attention-starved teens.

Eight Iris is also on Twitter. We can be followed at http://www.twitter.com/8iris