Consumers are no longer required to pick up the phone or send an email to learn more about you, your product or service.

They are actively researching, listening and learning about your company in real-time.

As business owners and brands, getting your marketing message out and heard is critical.

Twitter levels the playing field allowing small to mid-sized companies to cast their marketing net further than ever before.

However, gaining a loyal Twitter following is easier said then done. Below are eleven simple tactics to get more Twitter followers!

Get More Twitter Followers (the right way)

1. Share Quality Content

While this one should go without saying, it is always worth repeating. Quality content gives people a reason to share, comment and come back for more.

Are you a blogger? Re-purpose your content to give it an added boost. Turn a post or survey into an Infographic or share a single quote or thought to elevate the conversation and begin to better brand your tweets.

Shareable content has a purpose.There is a passion and authenticity behind it, a vision driven by goals. http://t.co/wXfeBjMTHx

— Rebekah Radice (@RebekahRadice) June 17, 2013

2. Know Your Niche

Understanding who your potential consumer is and what needs you can solve is vital when crafting content.

Steve Keating is laser-focused on the needs of his followers. He provides quality tweets on a daily basis that speak to the sales professional and leader.

If you can’t care about more than yourself then you can’t care enough to truly lead.

— Steve Keating CSE (@LeadToday) June 16, 2013

Consider this as well. While many say to avoid politics or religion, that might not be the right solution for your business.

Twitter offers a platform where being a little controversial might be a great way for you to start a dialog. The important component is to always put the needs of your followers first.

3. Be Honest

When asking for followers, do not trick them into following. Be straightforward in your intentions and make it clear what you like to talk about or what your opinions are.

Expectations up front will connect you with the right people and avoid frustration and eventually, a loss in followers who feel mislead.

4. Use Hashtags

Use hashtags to find people and topics centered around subjects you are interested in. #Ford for example would introduce you to fellow Ford enthusiasts who are eager to chat about their favorite topic.

#Ford pic.twitter.com/KRXB1hHpK4

— Lifted Trucks (@_LiftedTrucks_) June 17, 2013

5. Join Twitter Chats

Twitter chats are an excellent way to connect with like-minded individuals who are tweeting about the same content that excites you.

Check the frequently updated Twitter chat schedule

The largest chat on Twitter, #Blogchat is one I recently joined and truly enjoy. It is a weekly chat about topics helpful to anyone blogging personally or professionally. Hosted by Mack Collier, topics cater to newbies as well as advanced. This means you can connect with people that are talking about what interests you. Build deeper, more meaningful connections through Twitter chats!

If you missed last night’s #Blogchat on our fav WP plugins, here’s the transcript – https://t.co/TfpWVqyGW4

— Mack Collier (@MackCollier) June 17, 2013

6. Brand Your Twitter Channel

Take advantage of the customization options Twitter options including a branded background, adding your professional head shot and filling out your bio.

Take your time to carefully write a bio that expresses who you are, how your business can help consumers (this is your answer to the “what’s in it for me” question) and above all else, be authentic. Take your offline personality and accurately convey that on Twitter.

Nobody has a more authentic brand then Peg Fitzpatrick. Whether you land on her blog or her Google+ profile, each picture, word and post screams “positively Peggy.”

As the Queen of Google+, she also stays true to her love of that platform by sharing great G+ tidbits often! The key here? Your personal brand is about more than a look or feel. It’s incorporated into your tone, voice and content shared.

Get ready to rock your Google+ http://t.co/jK6rrzVRyf

— Peg Fitzpatrick (@PegFitzpatrick) June 17, 2013

7. Get Engaged

Get involved in the conversation and make it a point to stay actively engaged. It’s not enough to schedule a few tweets. You must begin to create conversation.

Ask questions and craft them in a way that they are worth replying to. People and content are moving rapidly. Give them a statement worth replying to. Reply in kind and open the lines of communication.

8. Don’t Haphazardly Follow

Be strategic in who you follow. What is your niche, passion, favorite pastime or hobby? Follow people that share information similar to what you find interesting.

A few Twitter tools to find people to follow:

• Twellow – A directory of public Twitter accounts, with hundreds of categories and search features to help you find people who matter to you.
• WeFollow – Get the most out of Twitter by finding the right people to share the conversation: find new, like-minded friends.
• Just Tweet It – A user directory for Twitter organized by genre to allow for users to easily find other Twitter users to connect with.

9. Be Helpful

If you are only using Twitter to push out your marketing message, you are missing a huge opportunity. Twitter allows you to offer great content that provides a benefit. Share helpful information that solves a problem or provides a solution.

What content do you have sitting on your website or blog that could be shared in bite-sized snippets? Take your frequently asked questions, company about or top tips and use them as helpful and meaningful tweets.

10. Cross Promote

Use your existing social media accounts like Facebook, Google+ and Pinterest to cross-promote your Twitter channel. It’s a good marketing practice to drive people back to other social properties.

Not everyone chooses to engage on each social network, make sure you remind people where you are and how you would like them to connect with you.

11. Extend Your Twitter Karma

Someone who most assuredly has a whole heap of good Twitter karma coming his way is Terry Sullivan. Terry is a rockstar when it comes to retweeting, sharing and actively supporting his community. He is someone I met a while back and has now connected with my hubby. Gotta love the power of Twitter!

Take a tip from Terry and start a conversation today. You just never know where it will lead!

@RebekahRadice Hi Rebekah. I just want you to know that I think the world of your husband. Have a great weekend!

— Terry Sullivan (@TerrySullivan) June 16, 2013

How are you finding new Twitter followers? I would love to hear your tips in the comments below!