If you’re looking for ways to hit your Twitter targets, this is the post for you. First of all, you should ask yourself, what are your Twitter targets? You want lots of followers? Sure, that might lead to some bragging rights, but what’s the point? Really what you’re after is community which translates into meaningful followers. How do you get meaningful followers?
I queried some other successful Twitter-ites to learn about their favorite Twitter Tips. Here’s some ideas to take your Twitter Page from Topsy-Turvy to Titillating!
- Tweeter, Push Thyself! Don’t have a personal trainer or an agent pushing you to meet those personal deadlines? That can make reaching a goal even more difficult. Annabel Candy wrote recently about using Twitter as a source for motivation. She tweets her goals to help hold herself accountable for daily goals. Talk about baking two loaves in one oven (my alternative phrase to the more gruesome bird and stone saying). Not only does this make her more accountable to her own goals, it also piques the interest of her Twitter followers. For example, she might tweet about her goal to write another chapter today to which her followers might lift an eyebrow and say, “Is Annabel writing a book?” Curiosity can kill more than a cat, it can also drive traffic to your site.
- Know Your Niche. Twitterista Jaden of the fabulous blog Steamy Kitchen, suggests this Twitter rule: be entertaining, useful or both! People on Twitter are busy and in order to get their attention, you have to fill a niche. Think of your Twitter account as a blog…in 140 characters. Then next ask, why would someone want to follow your Twitter “blog.” Are you like Neil deGrasse Tyson and provide useful scientific tidbits? Or are you more like Ellen DeGeneres providing folks with funny, entertaining quips throughout the day. Go for one or the other, or find your own middle ground in between.
- Sir Link-a-Lot. Grace Langlois of La Mia Vita Dolce doesn’t just post on lovely sweets, she also connects with others on Twitter. Her suggestion? Link to interesting stories. If you find something noteworthy, chances are there might be others who will too. Your blog may have a theme but you can share some of your other passions via links to other articles from aha moments, inspiring to informative articles.
- Reduce. JJ of the blog, Blah Blah Blahger shares some great advice on using tools to help manage your Twitter Account. JJ says that by using a bit.ly or ow.ly, url reducer, you can push followers to your site. With a condensed, clean web link, your message won’t get lost AND you’ll be able to track the number of click-throughs that you get!
- Be a Connector. Have you ever been at a party and been cornered by someone who does nothing but talk about themselves? Well, think of Twitter like one big party. You can be one of the dull people at the party only talking about yourself or you can be a connector. Suzanne Broughton of the OC Family Blog says “help others first on Twitter before linking to yourself.” She recommends this technique on your Twitter page: “Give twice. Take once.” For every tweet linking back to your site, retweet something of someone else’s and find some other way to spread the Twitter love.
- Clean up the Clutter. My personal Twitter tip is to be sure to clear out the clutter from time-to-time. Once or twice a year, I go through my “follow” list from beginning to end and “unfollow” those people that are not following me back. Of course, there are some people I’ll follow no matter what. You know, like Steven Colbert. I don’t really expect him to follow me back (but it sure would be cool!). And there are some organizations I follow with expecting a follow back. You have to make these decisions for yourself, but if you use my advice, be ruthless. Keeping your Twitter follow list clean is important. It helps your Twitter experience to be more of a community rather than a sycophantic one-way dialog with someone who really isn’t that into you (another party metaphor, but it’s relevant).
Following these tips can help you reach your Twitter Targets, but it can also just make Twitter a lot more fun too.
@fussbudgetpromo
Really enjoying this article. Going to be sharing it with my clients and using the tips in it myself!
I think that the best tip is Know Your Niche, I see a lot of people that just follow anyone with even consider if they are relevant.
@Marta_Daniels
These tips are awesome! And thanks for the reminder, I’ve been meaning to start following Steven Colbert, lol!
@getinthehotspot
Hey there, great post Marly, it’s stuffed with handy hints and thanks for mentioning my post on How to Use Twitter as a Motivational Tool: http://www.getinthehotspot.com/how-to-use-twitter-as-a-motivational-tool/ The link in the post to the article isn’t working so I’ve added it here.
I’ve also noticed that the more I chat to people on Twitter the more people follow me and visit my blog even when I don’t mention my blog or the posts. I think just talking to people gets people intersted and arouses their curiousity too.
Happy tweeting everyone:)
@gacilu
Good post!
My only comment would be about the last point “Clean up the Clutter”. I do not believe that you should follow people only if they follow you back. You should follow people that are interesting and helpful. No matter if they follow you back or not.
Thanks!
@mrcaltweet
not a very vocal audience on Twitip…hmm. Good tips either way
@NamelyMarly
Hi all – great comments! It was a fun post to write in collaboration with so many talented folks.
I wanted to respond to Guillermo. You raise a good point. I think it’s all about how you look at Twitter. I look at it like a virtual discussion. If I’m at a party and I start talking with someone, but I can tell they’re just not that interested in talking with me, then I move on. No big deal really; nothing personal. I view Twitter the same way. When I follow someone or they follow me, it’s really like we’re engaging in a conversation. But I realize other people may look at Twitter differently. Great discussion topic!
@augrae
EverTweet twitter tool software can help you in finding the best twitter target. Try it! http://evertweet.com/beta-party
@kc@artbykcmoore.com
I appreciate your insight. I’m fairly new at social media and am using it to promote some fabulous artists and my local art scene. Many thanks!
@Giovanna24
Helpful tips. You are on target saying help others first before you add your link. I spend half an hour daily on Twitter giving twenty minutes to sharing value and or freebies before I post my link.
@gacilu
Thanks for the reply Marly.
I haven’t really seen it in that way.
@eMarketMarket
Cool tips. Just dropped by to learn Twitter quickly. I just signed up with Twitter.
@Rowan506Levy
I thought it was courtesy to follow back but lately I realize some followers are marketers fishing for your attention…so I quickly unfollow. I like ur “Clean up the Clutter” idea…i’m on it.
Hey Rowan – that’s another good angle on follow backs. Everyone provided good feedback on this post. I’ve checked out everyone’s sites and twitter pages. Looks great!
@emjarvis
I’m new to this Twitter lark and have found this site invaluable, so ta very muchly. Might be a daft question but do people ever go through their followers list and do some culling? I “blocked” some people this morning…but after thinking about it i’m not sure why?! I culled all the ones that looked like they were following me just to make up their numbers but then I questioned whether there’s ever any need to do this?
@namelymarly
Hi Emma
What I’ve found is that most “spammers” that follow me usually “unfollow” if I don’t follow back so I just let it go with attrition. I have had some who have had objectionable material on their page and I have blocked them. Followers show up on your public page so I think it is worthwhile to weed out the ones that you don’t want on your profile page. It’s your Twitter party, you get to decide who is going to be a guest or not!
@tarabitab2008
You have invaluable tips. I also just signed up a Twittter account but I am still groping. Your site will definitely help me move forward.