#shareathon

Toyota is making tweeting really, really profitable. It has launched the second year of a Twitter-based promotion in which customers who tweet about plans to buy or lease a Toyota vehicle can earn a $500 prepaid debit card.

The Shareathon program adds another sweetener this year. If friends of the customers re-tweet the original message, those rewards rise by $50 up to a maximum of another $500. That raises the ante to a total of $1,000.

"This year, Shareathon not only rewards shoppers for tweeting about their plans for a new Toyota, but is also a fun and unique way for us to engage their friends and followers," said Kimberley Gardiner, social media manager for Toyota. "Last year's Shareathon was such a huge success that we decided to add an incremental element to expand the social footprint and impact of the program."

Those who want to give it a try have to register anytime between Monday and Dec. 21. Then they have to purchase or lease a new Toyota before Jan. 3 to be eligible for the certificate.