3 Solid Twitter Tips To Explode Your Network
| January 19th, 2009If you're new here, you may want to subscribe to my RSS feed. Thanks for visiting!
Twitter is hot right now, everyone is talking about it and now is the time to build your network. I’m writing this as too many “how to … ” on twitter are missing the point. They focus on the packaging of your account: background, avatar etc… Why focus on the cover when it’s the book we’re going to read?
Typically people who have large followings are people who are well known to the general public. If you aren’t a well known personality but want to make waves YOU have to make it happen. It also has very little to do with what you write about, what your background looks like, how many tweets you have etc… It has everything to do with how many people’s hands you’ve shaken virtually. Let me elaborate.
I’m not really known online. I run a blog directory / forum and I blog here sometimes. My twitter feed is about my sites but mainly just my stream of “what I’m thinking” etc… Sure there are those who knew me before twitter but 20,000? Ha no way. If no one knows you exist what is the best way to get their attention? How about you give them some attention?
At Blog World Expo (first industry event ever attended) I knew basically no one but I left with over 250 business cards. Of those 250 I probably initiated 225 of them. Everyone I met was really nice except for maybe a handful who stood out as being the type I don’t care for. If I had not initiated those conversations I would of met no one and just left with 250 of my own cards. I would of been at the party but not in the party.
I think that is what is happening to a lot of people on twitter. If you’re waiting for others to engage you… Don’t hold your breath; why would they? We’re all the same with similar wants and needs. We’re in a busy crowd looking to get noticed, looking to listen and be listened to.
3 Solid Tips to Explode Your Twitter Network
1) Don’t stress out about what/when/why/where/how you’re tweeting just don’t be OVERLY negative. No one likes a downer but the flip side is no one likes someone that is totally fake saying they live in a world of gum drops and candy canes. Extremes are an account that exclusively discusses lunch and coffee or one that is purely an update from a blogs rss feed.
2) Add people everyday. Make it part of your daily routine. How many times do you check stats? Why not spend part of that time “meeting people”? Curious how to find new followers? Here are some great methods.
- If you are TOTALLY new and don’t fall under any strict niche… Go to search.twitter.com and type in “new followers” and follow those people being mentioned. These are people actively following others; good chance they’ll be willing to listen to you as well. Once you’ve done this figure out other terms people use to introduce new followers and away you go.
- This is hands down the easiest way to explode your network… Find someone who is LIKE YOU. They don’t have to be a perfect compliment; just similar. Just look at their profile and say… If someone followed this person would they probably want to hear what I have to say as well? If the answer is yes add a few pages from their followers and check the results. If you notice your numbers flying… KEEP GOING.
- Search the keywords related to your niche / interests. Nothing new here and I found this technique to be particularly useless. Just because someone mentioned “blogging” doesn’t mean you have much else in common or that they want to befriend you.
- Warning: If you’re new to twitter don’t go overboard. For some reason everyone is insanely critical of new users like they weren’t new at one point. If you follow way more than following you you’ll be looked down upon and labeled a spammer in some circles. Do I think it’s fair? No. Look at the top 1000 many of the “climbers” are following 2-4,000 more then are following them. Don’t kid yourself it’s not followers who stopped following it’s them actively trying to build their network.
3) Whether twitter is a conversation tool or a broadcasting station is another debate altogether. Just be cognizant that the LAST tweet you make may be the ONLY one a new visitor / potential friend will read so make it good. Your last tweet before leaving for a while is basically your tool for making a first impression. Make it something you feel represents what you’re all about. This can be anything from a quote to a link to what you’re reading.
When it comes to social networks or life in general don’t take rejection personally. I mentioned the Blog World Expo example earlier to demonstrate that not everyone will be receptive to you initiating conversations but there is nothing you can do about that. Also that the majority of people will be glad you did engage them.
Twitter asks you “What are you doing”? Before you start on this mission ask yourself… “Why am I doing this?” Twitter can be an amazing tool but that’s what it is… It’s a tool to meet people / share ideas. Some businesses and websites are better suited for twitter than others. Understand what you want to get out of it before you get into it. Is it a massive waste of time? It can be; but it can also be arguably the best networking tool I’ve ever found.
Figure out what you’re trying to do with Twitter and go from there. If you’re trying expand your network by increasing your reach, presence and branding then following some of the suggestions listed above may be in your best interest.
Have any thoughts on this? We’d love to hear from you!
Keep working for yourself,
Rob
P.S Enjoyed this? Add me on Twitter.
P.P.S If you liked this post please share it.
Some great tips there. The only thing I would add is to make it easy for people to follow you and retweet your work. In particular, plugins like TweetRoll ( http://tweetburn.com/tools/tweetroll/ ) and TweetThis ( http://richardxthripp.thripp.com/tweet-this ) improve the user’s experience on your blog and make it more compelling for someone to follow you.
Hi Owen,
I’m a fan of TweetRoll just waiting for when I can customize the colors. I also added it but for some reason the box went all the way to the end of my sidebar. Looking forward to next version.
Great article and way to break it down to the simple building blocks of twitter!!
Owen –
Serious newbie here.
This is excellent, And better, it confirms my instincts weren’t too far off.
Musch appreciated!
– Daniel
That’s “much,” not *musch*. (I do realize I’m not driving a dogsled.)
Great advice and post. I’m glad we’re twitter friends.
@MikeChapman
Good stuff. MrTweet is another way to find like voiced tweeters as well. Thanks for The tips and the follow!
Great stuff !!
All so simple yet things I was not actively doing!!
Yea I was doing them alittle but I was also just lurking and not Interacting!!
Time to get involved!! :-)
Bryan
Twitter.com/Bryan_Kavanagh
Another great way to explode your Twitter network is not to send Direct Messages thanking people for following you. It’s an obvious attempt to promote yourself and leaves a bad taste of the person you’re following. I pretty much un-follow anyone who practices this insipid method of self promotion.
I had not heard the advice to look for people to add every day. Thank you for a new tip.
I’m just starting out in twitter, and it’s quite daunting. But I have faith in the internet! Twitter just scares me.
i am hesitant to use twitter, because i don’t want to learn all about it to then have another site come up which is the new hot thing….but, yeah, for now, twitter rocks and it continues to grow…
I have found that using the TWIRL add-on helps me FIND like minded people I want to Follow vs. blindly adding new profiles (followers). This is one of the ways I was able to find an SME on XSitePro and connect in seconds.
I read every word and agree with all you’ve said. I also think automated DMs should be considered spam and at first I used to unfollow those people… I think it will eventually be frowned upon and will stop.
I use Twitter for multiple things… Connecting with locals, with peers around the globe and for entertainment. I mix fun and social tweets with business ones. Happy medium.
@OhioRealtor on Twitter
Yeah, I appreciate all the tips. I enjoy Twitter for keeping up with a few folks and find it really useful for that ‘plugged-in’ feeling. Heard about the ‘Miracle on the Hudson’ exactly as it was unfolding thanks to a Twitter friend. That was cool!
A twitter feature that I am impressed with is tinyURL
Really cleans it up nice.
[…] Twitter for dummies? May wish to read this as well: Home Business Blog Blog Archive 3 Solid Twitter Tips To Explode Your Network __________________ - Rob - Blogs For Sale | Home Business Blog | Blog Directory If you blog, […]
Great advice Rob. Thank you. I’m going to follow you on twitter so I don’t miss any more like this!
Love your tip to not be overly negative. Why are people like that?
What a good point. I have always been kind of shy and it has gotten me no ware. Once I started to get out there whether it is on the net or at the local grocery store with a positive attitude I found that it was much easier to make friends and have fun!
Started my Twitter account about 3 weeks ago, it works a great tool,
Афтору риспект. Пости даьше. Рульно получилось
Да здесь безсмысленные коменты одни, видать кто то нанял китайцев для написания коментов!
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Ох порадовали так порадовали. Это вам тут не шутки
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ДА! Я у вас тут пиарюсь
Каждое колесо Airtrax оснащено собственным электрическим или гидравлическим двигателем, трансмиссией, тормозом и блоком управления.
не могу ручаться за всех, но…
So Twitter is awesome for Taking traffic to you website . It is very
simple to setup and its a fun positive way to keep in contact with
people. To get more followers on twitter check out this amazing
tool.Twitter
Traffic Machine
Огромное вам пасибо! а еще посты на эту тему будут в будущем? Очень жду!
Уважаемый автор блога, а вы случайно не из Москвы?
Извините если не туда, но как с админом сайта связаться?
Понравилась статья. А будет ли продолжение ?
Хорошо пишете. Учились где-то или просто с опытом пришло?
Добавил в свои закладки. Теперь буду вас намного почаще читать!
Опутеть как интересно, во задвигаете. Класс!
Добавил в свои закладки. Теперь буду вас намного почаще читать!
Приятно когда можно комментарий оставить. Мне нравится ваш сайт!
Интересно, а почему так редко блог обновляете?