How to Gain More Followers on Twitter

As a community manager, I spend a significant part of my day on Twitter. That is where I get my news, where I decide what community events I’ll be attending and how I hear about certain movers and shakers I should be paying attention to.

For me, and a large portion of the population, Twitter is quickly becoming a one-stop-shop for information pertaining to both my personal and professional life.

So, as you might have guessed, having a noticeable presence and gaining more followers on Twitter can do wonders for any business — whether it is an entrepreneur on a solo venture or a company with 100+ employees. In fact, it’s one arena where both operations can find themselves on an equal playing field.

But, it’s not as simple as creating an attractive profile and sending out a few tweets here and there. If that’s where your outreach stops, chances are your followers (if you manage to get a few) will take note and lose interest.

Success in social media is generally followed by an overall increase in success for your business. If you’re ready to make an impact on Twitter, here are a few tips to get you started.

Tip #1 – Don’t use Twitter strictly for self promotion.

Twitter can be a great platform to share information about your business, but if that’s all you’re using it for, no one will ever pay careful attention to what you’re saying.

Instead, learn how to reach your target audience by sharing information centered around your line of work. For example, if you own a skin care line, stay on top of trends in the industry and link to articles relating to it, or share tips that your followers might later share with their followers.

Establish your company’s personality and share your knowledge — then sprinkle in a little self promotion.

Tip #2 – Join in on the conversation.

If people are retweeting your tweets or speaking to you directly, take the time to respond. This lets your followers know that there is a live person behind your Twitter account and you aren’t just treating it like an automated system.

This is a great way for companies to keep an eye on their reputation and manage any disgruntled customers before they start spreading their opinion or bad experience like wildfire.

And, of course, people appreciate a pat on the back, so if you’re offering a thank you or letting them know when you appreciate what they are saying, they are far more likely to return the favor.

Tip #3 – Don’t rely on automated direct messages.

I certainly appreciate the idea behind offering a direct message feature, but my inbox is filled to the brim with automated messages that all sound exactly the same — “Thanks for the follow, make sure you check out our blog!” or “Stop in to our store or restaurant for XY or Z!”

Not only is there no originality in these responses, but it shouts “We’re only here for self promotion and don’t really care who you are!”

If you feel the need to send a direct message, personalize it to let them know that you are speaking directly to them.

Tip #4 – Give credit where credit is due.

If you are sharing something with your followers that you heard or saw elsewhere, give credit where it’s due. Let people know you are paying attention and helping to facilitate the conversation and not sharing ideas as if they were your own.

This can also increase your followers by showing that you are paying attention to the Twitter universe and you are a great source of information on whatever topic you are covering.

Tip #5 – Be an active follower.

Always be on the lookout for ways to gain more followers on Twitter by following people that might be interested in what you have to say, and those who might share something relevant to your business. Most people will return the favor by following you, so paying attention to if they are in your target audience can be extremely helpful.

There are automated programs that will do the following for you, but they are incredibly easy to spot. For instance when I send out a tweet that happens to mention office furniture and immediately have a store that sells office furniture in some far off country follow me, I know they didn’t seek me out on their own. These are generally the accounts that I won’t follow back.

Tip #6 – Keep your account updated.

If you’re only tweeting once every couple of days, the chances of you really making an impact are slim to none.

Let your followers know that they can rely on you for a constant stream of information, and you will be far more likely to attract new followers and be added to more lists. Participate in conversations daily — the time it takes can be minimal, but the impact can be substantial.

What are your tips for being noticed and gain more followers on Twitter?

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