I spend a good bit of my time trying different things, researching ‘how-tos’, learning from others and I throw a little bit of good ole’ trial and error in the mix as well. One thing I’ve learned is a lot of things are kind of up in the air, and because something has worked for one person doesn’t mean its going to work for another.
So here is the task I want to try. I want to write a “10 tips for Twitter success”, but I want to write it as you post your top tips. Im going to start with my top tip, and I ask that you add yours to the comments. Leave your twitter user name or web address, and I’ll link over to it from your tip if it gets added to the top 10 list.
So here we go, #1 on my 10 tips for Twitter success:
1. Don’t just push, converse. One of my favorite things on Twitter is when someone exchanges mesages with me. Sure I push information out, but its all in the hopes that someone will respond. I’m not looking to sell on Twitter, I’m just looking for conversations and connections. If I get business out of it, that’s great, but that’s not my primary goal. I want to contribute to the community and see where it leads.
2.
Thanks to Michael Richard Murphy for tip # 2, Learn to use lists and searches. “It can be difficult to stay on top of what’s going on when you start to follow several very active tweeters. Organizing the people you follow into lists, and then following those lists, makes things a lot easier. I follow people with a variety of interests, but if I want to easily view what people are saying that’s related to my field (web design), I look at my web design list. For local events, I have a list of people in my hometown.” (Read more in Michael’s comment below)
3. Thanks to ColderIce (43k + followers) for tip #3 “Follow the 80/20 rule on Twitter too! 80% of your tweets should be supportive of your community via Retweets, adding value and comments. 20% can be about you or links to your blog or “me” other content. Just keep the mix right and your followers will love u for it.”
4. Holler Back Ya’ll! Ok, that part I made up, but I would like to thank Mommy PR for tip #4, Follow Back! “Follow Back! I follow everyone who follows me (within reason). Also, engage your followers. Talk to them, don’t spam.” There are some great programs that make this easy, such as Social Oomph.
5. Be an extrovert! Just like I’m doing here for tip #5, don’t wait, give the ball a little push. If your not gaining followers, maybe it because your not asking. Have you heard the old saying, “if the phone ain’t ringing…it’s me not calling!” Start some conversations with people. If your using tip # 2, you should be able to find people taking about things you’re interested in. Send them an @reply and answer a question or ask one of your own. Then follow them.
6. Thanks to websdotcom for tip # 6, “Provide useful & valuable information to your followers. A nice mix of tips, sales & personal interactions can get you far.” So what are you providing to your followers? I see post come across my feed that are 100% sales post, and I don’t even think about clicking on them. Many people on Twitter are looking for knowledge and information, as well as people they can connect to that will provide a benefit.
7. Thanks to Sharna Fulton for tip #7, “write a tweet as if I’m writing a headline for a print ad.” As a classically trained copywriter, i want that headline tweet to clearly capture my followers’ interest and let them know what the benefit is of reading my tweet. I then, usually follow that with a tiny url link to a story, blog post or picture. I view this as the body copy that pays off my headline and provides more detailed info.
Ok, now your turn. Leave a tip and lets try to fill in numbers 7-10.
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View Comments (43)
Joel, thanks for asking me to participate! And for including my tweet in your example above ;) I think your first tip is right on. Giving people access to deals on products or services you offer is nice. But you need to provide something of real value for them to keep coming back. And that's good information/content. Related to your 'be conversational' tip is to make sure you acknowledge retweets and mentions. In my mind, ignoring someone who is talking to you on social media is worse than not being there at all.
Learn to use lists and searches. If you're not there already (follower and following-wise), you will be someday. It can be difficult to stay on top of what's going on when you start to follow several very active tweeters. Organizing the people you follow into lists, and then following those lists, makes things a lot easier. I follow people with a variety of interests, but if I want to easily view what people are saying that's related to my field (web design), I look at my web design list. For local events, I have a list of people in my hometown.
Searches work the same way. Again, you should primarily keep your tweets conversational but lots of opportunity can be uncovered by searching for tweets with keywords in your industry or specialty. For example, I can meet potential clients by searching for tweets about #Wordpress and offering suggestions/advice to those who need my help/expertise.
Michael, thanks again for contributing tip #2.
Joel, thanks for asking me to participate! And for including my tweet in your example above ;) I think your first tip is right on. Giving people access to deals on products or services you offer is nice. But you need to provide something of real value for them to keep coming back. And that's good information/content. Related to your 'be conversational' tip is to make sure you acknowledge retweets and mentions. In my mind, ignoring someone who is talking to you on social media is worse than not being there at all.
Learn to use lists and searches. If you're not there already (follower and following-wise), you will be someday. It can be difficult to stay on top of what's going on when you start to follow several very active tweeters. Organizing the people you follow into lists, and then following those lists, makes things a lot easier. I follow people with a variety of interests, but if I want to easily view what people are saying that's related to my field (web design), I look at my web design list. For local events, I have a list of people in my hometown.
Searches work the same way. Again, you should primarily keep your tweets conversational but lots of opportunity can be uncovered by searching for tweets with keywords in your industry or specialty. For example, I can meet potential clients by searching for tweets about #Wordpress and offering suggestions/advice to those who need my help/expertise.
Michael, thanks again for contributing tip #2.
Follow the 80/20 rule on Twitter too! 80% of your tweets should be supportive of your community via Retweets, adding value and comments. 20% can be about you or links to your blog or "me" other content. Just keep the mix right and your followers will love u for it.
Great tip #3 John, thank you for sharing!
Follow the 80/20 rule on Twitter too! 80% of your tweets should be supportive of your community via Retweets, adding value and comments. 20% can be about you or links to your blog or "me" other content. Just keep the mix right and your followers will love u for it.
Great tip #3 John, thank you for sharing!
Follow Back! I follow everyone who follows me (within reason). Also, engage your followers. Talk to them, don't spam.
Follow Back! I follow everyone who follows me (within reason). Also, engage your followers. Talk to them, don't spam.
Thank you for tip #4 Mommy PR, a great one at that!
Thank you for tip #4 Mommy PR, a great one at that!
[...]Yes Tips are very Informative[...]
[...]Yes Tips are very Informative[...]
Nice tips. It will be really helpful for twitter users. Thanks for sharing the blog.
Nice tips. It will be really helpful for twitter users. Thanks for sharing the blog.