Twitter has changed the way your business interacts with consumers online.
From daily conversations to marketing tactics, how and when you engage has evolved.
And like with anything else, taking the time to learn how to use it properly is the key to success.
If you’ve been looking for ideas to help elevate your Twitter presence and expand your business through Twitter, read on.
Today I’m going to share with you 11 ways to immediately gain traction on Twitter and grow a thriving community. Plus, don’t miss my upcoming webinar (invite at the end of this post) where I offer proven tips to grow a solid Twitter following.
How to Immediately Gain Traction on Twitter (and Grow Your Business)
1. Optimize Your Bio
There are many ways to optimize your profile, but what you want to focus on first is your bio or “about” section. Your bio is the first thing anyone visiting your profile will read when deciding whether or not they want to follow you.
Craft your bio in a way that instantly conveys your most important details. Include your business, background, career highlights, and any relevant hashtags.
Bio Tips:
- You have 160 characters of space as opposed to the 140 you are limited to in a tweet.
- Remember: People connect with human beings, so make sure your bio is relatable and approachable.
- Share the details that make you unique. Help others feel like they know you as this will result in deeper conversations with like-minded individuals.
- The words you use in your bio are searchable keywords, so keep them specific to what potential clients are looking for when researching your business. (e.g. your hometown, niche, industry or company name)
Steve Keating is one of the nicest, most giving people on Twitter and an excellent example of a bio that’s straightforward and concise, clearly expressing what he does and his purpose on Twitter.
2. Connect with the Right People (Not Just Anyone)
It can be tempting to hop on Twitter and immediately start following anyone and everyone. Resist that temptation.
Instead, connect with the right people and start a conversation. Begin a dialogue with those tweeting and talking about subjects surrounding your industry or niche. Not sure how to find them?
Here’s a few easy ways to connect with industry influencers shared by Problogger.
- Find people to follow and connect via Twitter directories such as Twellow and WeFollow. Both sites can introduce you to Twitter users that have the same interests as yours.
- If you belong to industry specific groups, pay attention to who is actively participating. Read through their bio to determine whether or not you share common interests.
- Follow people that your influencers follow. Again, check their bio to determine if there is a fit or not. Staying focused on your niche will make it easy for you to build a community centered around similar interests.
3. Use Twitter Lists
Twitter lists are a way to group users together by some common thread. For example, you might create a list of people who tweet about a topic that you want to follow on a daily basis, such as social media.
The idea is to make these tweets easily accessible. This allows you to keep up with certain people without the hassle of searching for them every time.
How should you use Twitter lists to keep yourself active and invested in important conversations?
How to Use Twitter Lists
Create a list of:
- People from an event you attended
- People that are tweeting regularly about a #hashtag that you follow
- Twitter followers that are part of your local area (city, state or community)
- Your favorite authors or celebrities
- Travel tweets that help you plan your next vacation
- Local businesses (e.g. coffee shop, restaurant, etc)
4. Share Quality Content…Daily
The biggest struggle for any business owner or entrepreneur is finding and sharing content consistently. The question I’m always asked is where to find tweetable content, what to talk about and how to best curate it.
My answer is always the same. More than likely, you have an immense amount of content right at your fingertips and just don’t realize it.
Here are a few ideas on where you might have content hiding and how to share it.
- Share photos of your latest presentation, event or business conference.
- Links to your latest blog post, including quotes or key takeaways.
- Details about a local charity that you support.
- Insider tips that help your customer better understand your product or service.
- Customer testimonials that tell your story through the eyes of a third party.
- Q&A using questions frequently asked about your business or service.
Think through what content you have on your website, blog or within your traditional marketing materials such as flyers or newsletters. Re-purposing your content is a smart way to get your evergreen content in front of a fresh set of eyes.
Here’s one example of how I use this strategy. In this tweet, I took a quote from a recent #InfluencerChat and created a visual graphic.
To drive business forward, you must stay social. A business plan keeps you relevant & consistent. #InfluencerChat pic.twitter.com/9ELOt18oom
— Rebekah Radice (@RebekahRadice) October 21, 2015
5. Add Visuals to Your Tweets
That leads me right into my next point. It’s no secret how important visual marketing has become. However, finding time to fit it into your daily content curation process can be tough.
That’s why I’m sharing this simple solution for incorporating visual marketing in your social media activities (without it taking up a lot of time and energy).
With Post Planner, you can share content as a link post and have the featured image show up within your Twitter feed.
No more spinning wheels trying to save, download or create new images to share. Now you can drop a link into the composer, have the image auto-populate — then send the post immediately or choose to schedule it for later.
So, what’s the difference between this and how other tools render that featured image? Just take a look.
Here’s what it looks like in your Twitter newsfeed:
Now compare that to a share from Sprout Social and Hootsuite where both look like this:
You have to click “view summary” to see the image.
Think about the amount of hours you’ve just earned back within your week!
6. Embed Tweets Into Your Blog Posts
I’m a big fan of getting the most mileage out of each piece of content as possible. And if you’ve spent any time on my blog, you also know what a big fan of cross-promotion I am.
If you’re a blogger, don’t miss the opportunity to nurture readers into fans, followers and promoters of your content across all social channels.
Add any tweet – whether it’s yours or someone else’s to your blog by grabbing the embed code. Here’s a tweet I embedded after writing a post about my guest interview on #MediaChat.
How to Embed a Tweet on Your Website or Blog:
- Click the ••• More icon located within the Tweet.
- From the menu that pops up, select Embed Tweet.
- If the Tweet is a reply to another Tweet, you can uncheck the Include parent Tweet checkbox to hide the parent Tweet.
- If the Tweet includes media, you can uncheck the Include media checkbox to hide photos, GIFs, or videos displayed alongside a Tweet.
- Copy and paste the code provided into your blog or website.
7. Use Twitter Advanced Search to Thank Your Supporters
This is my second tip for anyone creating unique content. If you’re a blogger, much of your promotional power comes from the time you take to cultivate that following.
Here’s a quick way to find those that are sharing your content, but might not mention you by name.
Use Twitter Advanced Search to add the name of your blog post (or any piece of content) to find anyone that’s shared it. You can also narrow it down by date which is super helpful if this is a guest post or event based post.
8. Pin Your Top Tweets
Want to get more exposure for your top content? Pin it!
Not sure how it works? It’s simple.
Head over to a tweet. and click on ‘…’ then click “pin to profile.”
9. Use Hashtags
Hashtags are a way to get your message in front of a much larger audience. Take time to identify what hashtags are being used consistently.
To begin your hashtag research, look to your competition. What hashtags are they using on a daily basis? Now take those hashtags and research the frequency and effectiveness of each one.
Find out how often they are used and who is using them through Hashtags.org or Twubs.
Use hashtags to find people and topics centered around subjects you’re interested in or your industry/niche.
#Audi for example would introduce you to fellow Audi enthusiasts who are eager to chat about their favorite topic.
Just how fast does the #Audi RS6 need to go? New Performance pack boosts power to 597bhp https://t.co/AUf6fQho6Y pic.twitter.com/bTTfyyfnh2
— CAR magazine (@CARmagazine) October 25, 2015
10. 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.
As co-founder and co-host of two Twitter chats – #InfluencerChat and #ViralChat, I can tell you first hand the power of chats.
Since starting them in April and May of 2015, I’ve gained an average 4300 targeted followers per month. These aren’t random numbers I’m adding, but relevant followers interested in engaging with the content I’m sharing.
And no, they don’t all come from chats, but I have tracked since inception and have seen a 35% month over month increase.
Check the frequently updated Twitter chat schedule to find chats talking about the subjects that matter most to you and your business.
11. Brand Your Twitter Channel
Customize your Twitter channel with a branded cover photo.
Take your time to carefully craft a cover that expresses who you are, how your business helps and what the benefits to working with you are.
Now take your offline personality and accurately convey that on Twitter.
Ian Cleary with Razor Social shows us that you can combine business and humor for an effective Twitter cover message.
The key takeaway here? Your personal brand is about more than a look or feel. It’s incorporated into your tone, voice and content shared.
BONUS Tip
I’m mentioning lists again because they’re just that powerful.
Have you heard of IFTTT (if this, then that)? If not, you’re missing out.
I’ve used it for years as an easy way to automate a few basic tasks. When I read Aaron Lee’s (@askaaronlee) hack to add people who mention you on Twitter to a specific list – I immediately saw the genius behind it.
As Aaron explains, “adding people who mention you to a Twitter list helps you keep your most engaged followers together in one convenient spot. Once you’ve created this IFTTT recipe, every person who mentions you on Twitter will be added to a list of engaged users — automatically!”
Now all you have to do is visit that list daily and thank them, retweet their content and become actively engaged with your biggest supporters.
And the best part about this list? If you make it public, anyone can subscribe to your awesome list!
Join Me for a Live Event
With over 300 million active monthly users and 500 million tweets sent per day, Twitter is rocking the social landscape! If you’re not using it to market your business, today is the day to begin.
If you want to leave a scorchin’ hot mark on the Twitterverse (and massively grow your biz), you need to grow a solid and targeted following.
Join me and Diana Adams with host Post Planner on October 28th at 11am PT / 2pm ET to learn “How to Grow Your Twitter Following (and Become the Badass of Your Industry).
During this training, we’ll share secrets on how to:
- Build a loyal and enthusiastic Twitter audience
- Market your business like a BOSS on Twitter
- Spice up your tweets to create a frenzy of shares
- Use your content as a magnetic that drives traffic to your website
- Use Twitter lists to find relevant tweets and targeted users
- And MUCH more!
Sign up for the FREE event: Click Here
Great tutorial. I’m using twitter for some time and using some of the techniques and tools mentioned. Happy when learn something new.
Although Twitter’s popularity has gone down it is still useful to build initial traction for your blog.It all depends where your target audience hangs out .If your audience is on twitter then you should probably be tweeting more about your products & services 🙂 .
I have written a post on Content Marketing for 2017. Please checkout – http://ipssdigital.com/content-marketing/content-marketing-strategy-2017/. Thanks for sharing!
Rebekah this was great! I’m going to implement that bonus tip right away! I’ve seen other people do this & always wondered why. Also, another potential perk of using Twitter Lists is this:
Make a list of people who’s eye you want to catch. Could be influencers in your niche or perhaps your ideal client. Then name the list something complimentary like, “Inspiring Teachers” or “Awesome Mommy Bloggers”. Then, when you add new people to that list they get notified and may thank you publicly on Twitter. Not only do you get the attention of the influencer/client, but also their followers.
Thanks for sharing these great tips 🙂
Thanks for a great article. I started be active on Twitter this year and have learned a lot but have so much more to learn. I read almost everything useful I can and this article did help me to learn more about Twitter and your business integrated with Twitter. So, thanks again!
This is really an awesome post Rebekah . I fully agree with you on Twitter chats . It’s really a healthy way to establish relationships with experts in the same niche & to stay updated with the recent trends !
IFTTT is also a great tool to add every person who mentions you on Twitter automatically to a List &we have just started using it ! I have mentioned some other tools to leverage Twitter in my post http://ipssdigital.com/social-media-marketing/best-twitter-tools.
Thanks,
Tanmoy Das I
First of all I want to congratulate you Rebekah for being selected among the “Top 10 Social Media Blogs In 2015 ” . You are truly among the best bloggers in Social Media niche. Coming back to the post I really enjoyed it . I loved your idea of joining relevant Twitter chats as it’s a healthy way to build relationships with people in the same niche & to stay updated about the latest trends . Also we have been using IFTTT recipe to automatically add people to a List who mention us . I have found some other interesting tools for bloggers to leverage Twitter which I have mentioned in my post http://ipssdigital.com/social-media-marketing/best-twitter-tools .
Thanks for sharing !
Tanmoy Das
Hey Rebekah,
There were a lot of gems in this post and I need to implement a few of them. I really got serious about using twitter this year, via my mobile phone, I feel that I’m not making the best out of this social site.
The only thing out of this list that I’m really doing is embedding tweets in my blog. Besides that, everything else is manual. I’ve been meaning to look into IFTTT but never push myself to start using it.
Also I need to add a cover page to my twitter BIO. It just has that plain old blue background that doesn’t say too much about me or brand. Eventually I’ll go to it. I have to take one step at a time.
Thanks for sharing Rebekah! Have a great week!
Rebekah – Excellent reading. Thanks Nimble for sharing this article. Love the part about Twitter chats. We attend #H2HChat on a regular basis. Highly suggested. Ian Cleary’s advice brand your Twitter channel is a great idea. Shared your amazing content – Signed http://paulbradleysmith.com/
Sooooo many things in here that I need to implement. I’ve finally been diving into the platform and quickly realized I avoided it because I simply didn’t really ‘get it’. After studying and researching a ton I think I’m finally getting the hang of things, but this list tells me I’m far from a master.
I did my first EVA Twitter chat a couple weeks ago and boy was that a blast. It was the faster hour of my life…that stuff goes sooo quickly. LOL
Thanks, as always, for throwing down the badassery I need to step up my social game. How you do it I don’t know, but your’e such a social star, lady!!
Hi Andrea! That’s so interesting and something that I hear more times than not. I completely get what a tough social network Twitter can be.
Twitter chats are a blast, especially the busy ones. It is a fast paced, exciting way to meet great people talking about the same stuff you’re interested in.
Always love seeing and hearing from you!
Hi Rebekah,
Some good points however your example around Steve Keating contradicts its self a little I feel.
You ask only to follow people relevant and start a conversation yet here follows 597k so that’s 397 conversations a day 7 days a week, is that even possible I mean does Steve even work? he also tweets on average 46.68 times a day, now how can he surely be giving such valuable content every single day by sending nearly 50 tweets and having 397 conversations whilst trying to rectify the sales world as his day job.
You also mentioned that he gives when in fact he has only ever Favorited 42 tweets in the 5 years he has been on twitter, that’s less than 10 a year.
Just confused me a little I guess, Id be interested to know who was in the 597k he follows.
Cheers
Peter
Hi Peter – I can appreciate the dive into data, but for me there’s so much more to Steve than the numbers you’ve provided.
He’s a giver first and incredibly supportive across Twitter. What I appreciate most is his interaction, engagement and grateful heart. You can’t put a number on that or purchase it with any dollar figure.
What an excellent piece of advice. Thanks Rebekah for sharing it. Really a true fan of yours!
Hi Vivek! Great to see you as always!
Hi Rebekah,
Thanks for this very informational post. I have finally found my target audience
and have begun to write towards that group. I’ve been focusing more on using Twitter and this could not have come at a better time for me.
I just finished reading Ryan Biddulph’s ebook “How To Build A Profitable
Blog On Twitter” and he didn’t cover most of the things you mentioned here.
This post is going to be added to my favorites list as it is a great enhancement
to what I learned from him.
I have already begun sharing my relevant content more often. I believe Twitter is the
way to go for me.
I will be sharing this as it will definitely help anyone who wants to use Twitter to
gain exposure and grow their following on the blogs.
Have a great rest of the week and weekend…..Chris
Hi Chris – I love when what you’re looking for shows up at the exact right time. So glad it was helpful!
Twitter is an amazing social channel and my first love. It definitely holds a special place in my heart. I hope you find the same value from it!
Hello Rebekah, I found it very instructive reading your post on how to gain traction on twitter. I have been on twitter for a while now, but the growth of my following has not been encouraging. Indeed I have been at a loss as to how I could translate my twitter following to the growth of my business. But reading you, I came away with the feeling that if I could apply all you had taught, there’s still hope for me on Twitter! Thank you.
I love to hear that Felix! Take one piece at a time. Don’t try to implement it all at once or you’ll easily overwhelm yourself.
Determine what’s going to give you the most return and go after that. Have fun with it!
Hi Rebeka,
Its very well written post. I found this tips “Embed Tweets Into Your Blog Posts” really helpful. I am thinking to use this from now on in every writing. Using twitter lists and tweet chats are my favorite one. I have used these tactics to get more followers and engagement and yes it worked well for me.
Thanks for writing such a great piece of content.
Deepak pal
Hi Deepak – Embedding your tweets into blog posts is a great way to share specific content, but also allow people to instantly connect with you on Twitter.
Twitter lists are something we just talked about on our webinar today. They’re a huge engagement tool and a great way to stay involved with those people that you want to stay interactive with daily.
Hi Rebekah,
I have never thought about using the Twitter embed feature, until now!!!
I’ve been steadily growing my Twitter presence and it’s rapidly becoming one of my favorite platforms.
Twitter chats have been phenomenal and a great way to meet a lot of new people in my target market!
Thanks for some nuggets. I even went and updated my profile and banner.
Have a great week Rebekah!
~ Don Purdum
Hey Don! Baby steps…every day makes a big difference in the Twitter world.
Twitter chats can definitely accelerate all that you’re doing.
Great to hear how much you’re embracing it and kudos on updating your profile. It’s such an important step!
Hi Rebekah,
I wanted you to know that I really enjoyed this epic article about using Twitter to help boost my business.
I have just started using Twitter over the last few months, and I have learned a lot, but your article gave me so much more information than I had before.
I have been doing steps 1-5, but did not know, or even think about, embedding tweets into my blog posts.
My favorite that you list, is using the advanced search feature to thank supporters. I did not know this was even available until now. I definitely will be using this from now on.
I do need to work on my hashtags as well, I have been using them some, but probably not enough and then using the right ones to match my tweet.
Thanks again for the informative article and I hope you have a wonderful week.
Hi Rob – On the surface, Twitter is a seemingly simple way to interact with a large group of people at a very public level, but it’s so much more than that.
It can be very complex and hard to wrangle social network. It sounds like you’re doing a great job wrapping your arms around it and really making the most of it.
Look forward to hearing about more of your Twitter success!