This article highlights some of the important tools, techniques and aspects to remember when using twitter for your business. By following the 28 steps we have laid out for Twitter business, you can attract customers & followers using a whole new content stream.
1. Decide Your Purpose
Do you want to build your brand? Do you want to generate leads? Do you want to broadcast news content to existing customers?
2. Focus On Your Passion
Don’t be a jack of all trades & a master of none. Passion will make your content stronger & will attract others with similar interests.
3. Define Your Brand
How do you want the world to view your twitter account? Would you specialize in one subject or multiple? Would it be more general? Do you want to be a thought leader? If so, follow others that you admire and want to be like.
4. Determine Your Strategy
- Is it to communicate? Then you will have to attract attention. This means you need to tweet, direct message, engage with other users and focus on getting info out onto the twitter world.
- Is it to listen? Follow the right people & learn to use filtering tools (eg. Hashtags & Twitter Lists).
5. Understand Twitter Terms
Tweet = message, RT= re-tweet, TT= trending topics.
6. Name
Your name is crucial. It is how people are going to view you. Tag yourself whenever and wherever relevant.
7. Good Pictures
Use HD videos & photos only and make your content responsive. Your media should be sized properly according with Twitter specs.
8. Find Your Keywords
Google keyword search is important. Divert a River, do not dig a well. Tap into existing traffic rather than trying to create it from scratch.
9.Search & Identify #Hashtags
Get your content to appear on the right user and page streams. Hashtags will help you connect with relevant users. As a general rule of thumb, do not use more than two hashtags per tweet. Use the following to discover keywords: twitter tool bar, hashtags.org, Topsy, Twitter Reach & Social Mention.
10. Be A Wordsmith
Use delicacy when crafting your tweets. Include keywords but do not compromise the quality of your content & writing.
11. Your Biography
Make your twitter bio intriguing to stand out. Embrace the space – the bio is your 160 character elevator speech. You want it to tell the twitter world what you do or believe in.
12. Publish Your Twitter ID
Broadcast your Twitter page across all of your social media channels. You want social media followers to cross over between Facebook, Twitter, Instagram & more.
13. Use Twitter Tools
Insightpool, Tweepi, Twitonomy, & Klear. Use these tools to find out who you should follow to reach relevant audiences you want to sway to your own page.
14. Follow
Very important. Just do it. Shoot for a minimum of 2,000 follows (& even more followers) to prove you are active on Twitter.
15. Favourite Follower Rule
Click "Favourite" on a tweet, then follow them. This helps gain targeted followinsg by first finding tweets that match your interest & targeted keywords. Once this happens, hopefully, your profile is compelling enough and they will reciprocate. This takes time but higher quality & engaging followers are always more favorable.
16. The Offer-Follower Rule
"Follow me & I'll give you something". Give followers something that your target audience finds interesting. Incentivization comes in many forms.
17. Choose Your Lists
This allows you to listen to relevant conversations, identify influencers & filter out "noise".
18.Two Ears & One Mouth Rule
Listen & research first before you speak. Use TinyTorch to find out what is going on in your area of interest.
19. Use TweetDeck & HootSuite
Listen & view the conversations taking place that are about you, your company, or your industry.
20. Create & Tweet Original Content
Share genuine, original content that attracts users over time. Create content that is informative and entertaining. Write about industry news, especially if you're in the position of breaking the news. Stay on top of trends & provide commentary that adds context. (E.g. Someone releases groundbreaking research in your industry, write about this research. Don’t just regurgitate it. Use your own expertise to explain why this is important. Show how others in your industry can apply it to their work. Use short-form (tweets) and long-form (blog posts) to establish yourself as a thought leader.
21. Use Good Headlines
Some proven headlines include:
- List References – E.g. “7 Undeniable Reasons Online Reservations Will Replace Phone & Email Bookings”
- "How to" Titles - E.g. "How To Grow You Business In 2 Weeks"
- Authority References - E.g. “What Elon Musk Can Teach You about Sustainable Practices”
22. Resend Tweets In Various Contexts
Send a tweet 4 times to cover all 4 time zones. Use different writing tones until you find one that appeals to a maximum number of users. Address identical content in different ways, “Why Should You Try...” vs "Trying...Makes You...".
23. Try Alternative Tweets Depending On Time Of Day & Day Of Week
The best time to tweet is Friday at 4pm ET. Use a tool that allows you to schedule your tweets for automatic publishing (e.g. Hootsuite).
24. Bridge Twitter Content With Other Content Channels
Use the same pictures, videos, and audio files. Connect your Twitter account with Twitpic, Youtube, Vimeo or AudioBoom.
25. Retweet Great Content
Retweeting relevant content will:
- 1. Help you make friends with fellow influencers
- 2. Show your followers that you’re an active member of the online Twitter community.
26. Send Direct Tweets
There are two ways to send direct tweets:
- 1. Alt-Replies: Reply
- 2. Direct Message: Gray Gear Icon
27. Use Great Hashtags
Make a hashtag for every event, presentation or tradeshow. Make sure to put your hashtags right at the bottom of each event materials you give out.
28. Leverage Existing Tweets To Other Social Media Platforms
You don't necessarily have to post the same content on Facebook, Instagram, Linkedin & Blogs at the same time. Allude to preceding posts between platforms and explore re-marketable content.