Thanks to Ovi and Sonia from @SocialBeeHQ for sending in this guest post article on how to grow more Twitter Followers.
You probably know that Twitter can be a powerful tool for your business and you’ve most likely heard that a thousand times by now. It’s the first place consumers go to complain if they have an issue with your product or service.
At SocialBee.io – a powerful social media automation tool – we’re strong believers in this idea. There are numerous reasons you should too: it can help your business gain more awareness, therefore more leads.
It’s where the hashtag originated, it’s how people with same interests unite around through said hashtags, it pushes you to think how to sum up everything you want to share in 140 characters and it helps your brand build a connection with your prospects.
So maybe you’ve already set up your own account because everyone else has one and “that’s how it’s done”. You even started tweeting out some content and you’ve gained a few followers. But you’re trying to get more engagement, you’re trying to get users’ attention and increase your brand awareness.
Are you doing something wrong? Are you doing enough? Is there a magical formula?
Well, it’s more like a mix of these three. The world is never just black and white.
There are some key factors that play a huge role in how you build your audience and how other fellow Twitter users perceive you and your business. And sometimes you just get lucky when you didn’t even try to apply a strategy on purpose.
Why do you even need more followers, you ask? Your followers are your audience, your leads. And you need an audience so that way you have a 2-way conversation, otherwise it’s called stand-up comedy. Except no one is laughing. Awkward…
You want people to be aware of the stuff that you’re sharing, and you also want the relevant people to know about it.
So what exactly should you do in order to get more followers? This article from Forbes has some great ideas to help you expand on that and learn how to do it the right way.
#1 KNOW WHO YOUR AUDIENCE IS
Who’s the target market for your product? And how can you target people that share the same interests you do?
In order to build the right audience, you need to do some research. Know who the influencers are in your niche. Know who your competition is. Who do they follow? Who follows them?
Observe their behavior. What type of content do they share? How often? When? How do they engage with their audience? What tone do they use?
Follow their followers. Get out there! You share the same interests already, but it’s your duty to make sure they know you exist.
Of course, all these quests are a bit overwhelming when you stop to think about the amount of time they require, which is why there are tools like SocialBee, Manageflitter or Crowdfire to help you through every obstacle you encounter and do the hard work for you.
The special side of a tool like these is that your search for potential prospects is not random, but very niched! Because let’s be honest, if you’re selling tech software, mommy blogs are of no use for you to follow (but hey, who knows?).
#2 YOUR TWITTER PROFILE IS YOUR FIRST IMPRESSION
And you know what they say: you don’t get a second chance to make a first impression.
If you want something that qualifies as eye-candy and that will make them want to follow you it’s important that your Twitter profile makes a good first impression.
So in order to do so, you have to work on your Twitter profile’s aspect and design. This article from Blogging Wizard touches on the importance of your aspect and design. Be smart about customizing it.
#3 DELIVER VALUE. BE HELPFUL.
Ideally, your followers are people (give or take a few bots because no one can control those) that are interested in you and what you have to offer. If they have already found you, it’s very important that you make them want to stick around so they follow what you post and what you have to offer.
Which is why it’s important to create content. And not just any content; give them value.
And be consistent. Perseverance is key if you want to see results. Otherwise, people easily forget about you. Yup, that’s the millennial era for you.
And if keeping your posting schedule consistent, interesting or relevant for each one of your followers sounds like a dreadful task, this is where SocialBee is going to exceed your expectations.
It will help you to curate the latest most relevant posts for you and your audience so you don’t have to worry about searching and posting something eye-catching every day just to stay relevant.
Another aspect I’d like to mention here is that you should get used to helping and giving first if you wish to receive something in return. People will be more inclined to help you when you ask for it, after you’ve given them something.
So help a fellow follower out, help a client. Remember that what goes around, comes around.
#4 BE CREATIVE, ADD A TWIST, STAND OUT
Are you a marketer? Is your blog about social media and you decided to hop on Twitter and share your content here as well? Well guess what? That’s what other tens of thousands of social media experts are doing as well.
There’s already so much information about that. How do you stand out from the humongous crowd? I don’t think “just being yourself” applies here (gee thanks, mom!).
Be different! Change your perspective. Just because *insert-social-media-guru-name* has a “15 steps guide on how to increase awareness on Twitter”, it doesn’t mean that his Twitter guide is the only thing that works. While he might be a specialist and he definitely knows what he’s talking about, just because someone is right, doesn’t make everyone else wrong.
There’s probably a subject you wish to approach but there’s plenty of bloggers that have already talked about that. So make your approach unique.
Try to change your perspective and ask yourself if there’s a different way of doing a certain thing, if there’s a more efficient way, or maybe there’s an extra point left out and you feel it’s worth mentioning and discussing it in depth. Do that. Learn how to leave your own mark on the subject.
#5 ENGAGE WITH USERS
Now that you got your content straightened up, everything is scheduled and working, make sure it’s not just you posting stuff on a wall and waiting for a reaction.
Getting a reaction is as easy as asking. Make sure users acknowledge you!
Use a more convenient method to reply to your followers based on their niche or interest, or do it on your own terms.
Show them you value them following you and even ask for feedback, ReTweets, opinions or poll answers. Ask and you shall receive! Well, not always, but you’ll sure increase your chances significantly this way.
Engage in Weekly Chats
There are plenty of websites and social media tools that help you track and show you when certain chats or Twitter events take place. Pick the ones related to your niche.
They are your opportunity to socialize, gain some awareness, promote yourself or your brand. Imagine going to a real life event. You go there for networking, you go there hoping you’ll make friends and exchange ideas that you can hopefully apply for your own product.
Get noticed, don’t be the awkward introvert. This ain’t high school anymore!
#6 THE HUMAN ELEMENT
This one is going to be straight to the point.
Twitter users are people just like you. Make them your friends. Make them feel valued. Let them know their opinion matters. Don’t just focus on selling what you have to offer. You don’t wanna come off as aggressive.
Instead, talk, share, let them know you and get close to you. Be quick and witty with your replies and they’ll never leave!
CONCLUSION
I know this might be a lot to process at first. Maybe you already have 10 other tabs open right now, trying to decipher the secret to gaining massive amounts of followers.
Well, there is no secret. Just a lot of work and consistency. Good thing is you don’t have to do everything by yourself anymore and with the right assistance, you can see results earlier than you initially anticipated.
Great Article! 😀
I like this article, Nice work, Ovi and Sonia!
I believe in synchronicity – this morning I was looking for a professional way with Twitter, and withing 15′ I come on Ovi testimonial for a newsletter, and I come along for this article.
Thank you
That’s wonderful 🙂