Back in 2013 I wrote this article for Sage. I recently unearthed it and thought it may still be of interest to some of you. I have tweaked elements to bring it up to date, I hope you enjoy it.
Using Twitter can sometimes feel like a bit of a minefield but it really doesn’t have to. When I first started using Twitter, back in 2009, I really disliked it but I knew it was becoming necessary for business. I found its word limit annoying and its system generally confusing! However, with persistence, a bit of e-learning and some encouraging Twitter outcomes I became a bit of a fan!
Here I have gathered some of the best Twitter tips to save you time, energy and Twitter frustration.
Be interesting
- Stop focusing on follower numbers. If all your time and energy goes into fretting about how many people follow you, you’ll never get the quality followers you want and need. Desperation comes across very easily on Twitter. Focus on what you are saying being by interesting, and the quality followers will pick this up, engage and hopefully follow.
- Make sure what you write is relevant to the followers you are trying to engage. Focus on what they would find interesting, and how what you are saying will help them. Don’t just post because you feel obliged, but because you have something of value to say.
If you want to be interesting, be interested
- Don’t be afraid to Retweet, follow and like! If you see something that is good quality and appropriate share it. Twitter is a community and sharing will go noticed, gain you followers and gratify the followers you already have.
- Keep track of relevant hashtags. If you see something trending that fits your business ethos then get involved. The purpose of a hashtag is to categorise your message into conversations using the same hashtag and it makes a tweet more searchable. Don’t use it to sell but instead try to engage and attract the interest of the hashtag followers; they may be new clients!
A hashtag is created by putting ‘#’ in front of a word. Hashtags are generally used before relevant keywords or phrase (no spaces) in a tweet to make it more searchable and distinguish its importance to readers. #TwitterTips.
#BeCreative
- Words matter. You have to change the world 140 characters at a time on Twitter so be clever with your language, be precise and don’t use slang – be a better communicator.
- Create hashtags of your own. If it’s not relevant don’t post it but if you can think of a concise hashtag that sums up how you are feeling, what you are doing or what you are about then use it! #ThinkOutsideTheBox
Utilising the above, combined with common sense, will automatically make you a better Tweeter. There is plenty more to learn about the world of Twitter but keep things simple, and continue learning & adapting. If in doubt, or you don’t have the time, hire an expert; after all they do know best! 😉
Happy tweeting,
Jo
