In case you’ve been living under a rock for the past couple years, Twitter has become the next best thing in the world of Social Media. Who knew that 140 characters could be so powerful? Both businesses and individuals are tapping into the Twitterstream, but are they doing it effectively or simply contributing to the clutter? Are you a “successful” tweeter, or just another bird on the wire?
Here are FIVE ways you can “up your game” and start soaring above the social media “noise”.
Break Free of Old Beliefs
What did you think of Twitter before you started using it? For me, it was nothing more than a glorified Facebook status update. From the outside looking in, Twitter can seem pretty lame. Why do I want to know about Greg’s Friday night plans to get drunk and make bad decisions, or Sarah’s countdown to “New Moon”? (Sorry Twilight fans)
Eventually I said “What the heck” and dove head-first into the Twitter-sphere. What I found was a powerful networking tool: A way to interact and connect, instantly, with like-minded, interesting, location-relevant people. Not only has it been an integral tool in promoting my own blog, but it’s been a driving force in developing my freelance business, establishing amazing connections, and dare I say, has even led to making “real life” friends.
In order to be a successful and effective tweeter, you gotta’ believe! You have to believe in the medium to be a proponent of it’s effectiveness. Does that mean it’s the optimal tool for everyone? Not at all, and if it isn’t working for you, maybe you should take another approach. Different strokes for different folks.
Interrupt Conversations
In real life, stepping into another person’s conversation is just plain rude. But in the world of Twitter, it’s perfectly normal and even suggested that you do a bit of eavesdropping (Twitter Search is a great place to start) Do a little research and if people are talking about a subject you’re interested in or have a strong opinion about, don’t be bashful – @ reply them and join in the conversation. Odds are, you’ll start chatting back and forth and a connection will undoubtedly be made. What’s the magic formula of “getting more followers”? Step one is being actively involved in multiple conversations.
Become a Resource
If step one to being “follow-worthy” is being a good conversationalist – step two, which goes hand in hand, is in becoming a resource. In short, you want to develop you social media niche (the same goes with your blog). It seems obvious but is often overlooked or avoided by most. We don’t want to pigeon-hole ourselves and become overly defined – but if you start a blog, and when you get on Twitter, there’s a reason behind it. You have to have a vision and purpose, otherwise you’ll be running around the social media jungle like a chicken with its head cut off (are you keeping a tally on the number of bird references in this post?)
If your niche is social media – start tweeting links to relevant blog articles – follow other social media thought leaders and retweet what they have to say. Ask questions (publicly) and initiate conversation with the masses. People may not care about what you’re making for dinner, but over time, as you become a “trusted resource” within your niche, people will develop expectations and they’ll direct others to you as a reliable and compelling source of information.
Be Transparent (Without Giving Everything Away)
Transparency is the name of the game when it comes to social media. Why do you think Ashton Kutcher has nearly four-million followers? Because everyone wants a peek into the personal life of a celebrity. While you may not be married to Demi Moore, if someone follows you on Twitter, they’re obviously interested in what you have to say – so don’t disappoint them once you have their attention. Be relevant, share good information, but above all, be yourself. Your followers will see right through you if you’re trying to be someone you’re not.
Don’t Try to Please Everyone (FYI: You Can’t)
While we have outlined ways to “effectively” use Twitter, ultimately there is no right or wrong. It comes down to you, what you expect to get out of social media, and the way you go about it. If you take away nothing else from this – remember that you can’t, never will, and shouldn’t try to please everyone. Some people will love you and others could probably care less – that’s just the way it goes. Focus on what you’re good at and the (quality) followers will come.
The Discussion
Leave a Comment Read Again?Becoming a resource works best especially if the followers you’re targeting are the pros themselves. Probably the more lighter side of being a resource is just to share a couple of good anecdotes every once in a while (Copyblogger loves this one).
On another point – interrupting conversations – well, I tried this one before and it really works. For now, I really lost time finding the conversations to interrupt in the first place
.-= Liane YoungBlogger´s last blog ..The Five Simple Truths On Promoting Your Blog =-.
In real life, interrupting conversations would be totally inappropriate, right? But in the world of Twitter and Social Media, it’s the only way to meet new people. And you’re right – pretty early on you’ll forget (and they’ll forget) that you ever jumped in un-invited!
.-= Matt Cheuvront´s last blog ..The Amazing 5 Minute Blog Review | Elisa Doucette – Ophelia’s Webb =-.
Great tips about twitter and how to become active member. It is much better tips than “You follow and i follow” tips I’ve been hearing for months.
.-= InternetHow Blog´s last blog ..How a simple taxi ride made me earn £110 per week? =-.
Thanks man, glad you found them useful!
.-= Matt Cheuvront´s last blog ..The Amazing 5 Minute Blog Review | Elisa Doucette – Ophelia’s Webb =-.
Thanks to bring this great tips about twitter. I just sign up my twitter and do not yet know where to start and this article give me a good tips how i can start my twitter. Thanks again.
.-= Dana@Online Knowledge´s last blog ..Register Blog in Technorati Service =-.
No problem Dana – if you have any questions along the way don’t hesitate to reach out to me on Twitter (@mattchevy) – OR, any of the fine folks here on Blogussion can provide you with an abundance of resources and information. Cheers!
.-= Matt Cheuvront´s last blog ..The Amazing 5 Minute Blog Review | Elisa Doucette – Ophelia’s Webb =-.
My friend just spent 4 hours customizing his Twitter background. He’s ready to start out right! I’ll send him this post for an extra push.
Thanks!
.-= Pete | The Tango Notebook´s last blog ..3 Tips for a Closer Close Embrace in Tango =-.
FOUR hours on a Twitter background? Now that’s dedication!
.-= Matt Cheuvront´s last blog ..The Amazing 5 Minute Blog Review | Elisa Doucette – Ophelia’s Webb =-.
Matt, your post is great insight for all new twitter users.
Thanks for this excellent post.
.-= Kardeno´s last blog ..How to install joomla 1.5 patch? =-.
Thank you Kardeno – Twitter is a great resource for both individuals and businesses. While there’s no “right or wrong” way to use it – there are ways (which I’ve provided here) to use the medium more effectively.
.-= Matt Cheuvront´s last blog ..The Amazing 5 Minute Blog Review | Elisa Doucette – Ophelia’s Webb =-.
“Be Transparent (Without Giving Everything Away)” Dealings online should be transparent, if you want to build good relationship or build authority for yourself online, should always be yourself and be transparent, thanks for the post!
.-= Web Hosting Blog´s last blog ..Cheap Web Site Hosting What to look for =-.
Agree 100% – Transparency is key for both businesses and individuals to be successful in the online world. Open up and let people in. Develop a level of trust with the people you follow/are following you and the rest will fall into place. Thanks for the comment!
.-= Matt Cheuvront´s last blog ..Should You Love Your Job? =-.
Very nice advices for getting more successful on Twitter, I might start using some of theese
P.S. I liked this blog very much
It goes to my favorites
Have a nice day
.-= gt1987´s last blog ..New version of StumbleUpon (Review) =-.
totally agree! great advice.
This is a great article, and I believe one of the best articles I’ve read concerning twitter. Up until now I have been ‘just another bird sitting on the wire’ but after reading this article it has inspired me to try out your techniques and tips, rather than let my account fall by the away side
Excellent.. Twitter is a powerful way to build traffic and make a difference. Hope everyone sees the power in using social media.
.-= Seth´s last blog ..Blog Promotion: 169 New Ways to Build Traffic like a Ninja =-.
Thanks Jonathan. Glad my article here was useful for you. If you have any questions or want to bounce around ideas – you are more than welcome to give me a shout. Cheers!
.-= Matt Cheuvront´s last blog ..Invest for Success: 15 Steps to Effective Social Media Marketing and Better Blogging =-.
I still can’t get a hold over my twitter account, and it seems like I’m lost in the middle of something important. It really sounds funny though, I don’t even know how to increase my followers up to 1000… but anyway after reading your post, some ideas have gotten into my mind so I guess I need to start working on it.. thanks!
You’re right on the button with this article – I’ve found everything you’ve said has happened to me. I’ve gained loads more readers for my blog through promoting it even a little on Twitter, and found new followers as well as excellent people to follow. I’ve even made a few good writer friends in similar circumstances to me, and we help each other out and encourage each other daily.
Everyone should at least give Twitter a go!
Love your advice Matt. I will do the best of my ability to best implement our twitter advice: twitter.com/thirdspaceme – Not sure where to start and which point to start with. Thanks for the advice.
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